Device Manager Loop

Question

Whenever I attempt to update drivers in my Device manager, it starts an infinite loop upon reaching "Searching online for driver software." I can close it via the task manager, but when I do, I receive a notification stating that the manager is waiting on an input from me, but no window or notification pops up on the screen unless I attempt to force stop the application. Has anyone else had this issue, or a similar one? PS. Brand new HDD and installation of Windows 7

Answer 1

Read one or both of the following threads (you don't have read through all of many posts, just enough to learn what to do:

ElderN’s thread:  https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-update-problems-read-this-first/28147a5f-b0b0-480b-bed9-834a2da7a375

Canadian Tech’s thread:  https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-update-solution/f39a65fa-9d10-42e7-9bc0-7f5096b36d0c

Answer 2

I have been unable to get any updates since the reinstallation on the new hdd. I tried using the update troubleshooter, and even tried downloading the bundle containing all the update through May, but nothing has worked so far.

Answer 3

Why and for what specific device(s) are you attempting to use Device Manager to update a driver?

Normally, there is no need to update drivers "just to have the latest version."  In addition, obtaining drivers through Windows Update (which is what Device Manager is doing) is not a particularly good idea.

Windows Update has been misbehaving for at least 6 months or so.  I had been under the impression that the problem was only related to Windows Update searches for updates to Windows and other Microsoft software.  I've recently learned that the problem appears to extend to the use of Windows Update when installing printer drivers and I suppose it will also affect the use of Windows Update through Device Manager.

Click the Start Orb, type Windows Update, and press Enter.  When was the "Most recent check for updates"?  When was the last time "Updates were installed"?  If the most recent check for updates was some time ago, DO NOT initiate a manual check now; just close Windows Update and report what you saw.

Answer 4

Hi Steven,

To better assist you, we would like to have a screenshot of the message/notification that you receive.

Regards.