Solution to ‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’. Dec 2017

Question

I have seen many people experiencing the problem of ‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’.

Today, 11th Dec 2017, I have had exactly the same problem with going in to Windows Update on Win 7 PC’s and getting this same scenario when I try to update windows.  I go in to Control Panel and Windows Update.  There is a red X in the box and when I click ‘Check for Updates’ I get the message

‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’.

I restarted the PC and still had the same the same problem and I also checked the Update Service was running and it was.

I have One laptop and 4 PC’s at home all running Win 7 so I tried the same procedure of updating and all but one had the same issue as above.  I contacted a few friends whom I know have PC’s running Win 7 and when I asked them to try updating Windows they had the same problem I had.  The settings in Windows Update varied from ‘Download updates but let me choose when to install them’ ,  ‘Install updates automatically ( recommended)’, ‘Never check for updates ( not recommended)’ .  Ironically, the only PC I found I could check for updates was the one set to ‘Never check for updates ( not recommended)’. So we changed the settings on all the PC’s to‘Never check for updates ( not recommended)’ and then rebooted & then tried to check for updates and we could in all instances.**  We then changed the settings back to our preference of either *‘Install updates automatically ( recommended)’*or ‘Download updates but let me choose when to install them’ and all is well again. So, it looks as though there has been a common problem with a previous Windows 7 Update that caused this update problem recently.  

Can anyone from Microsoft please look in to this as there may be many people thinking their PC's are being updated and they aren't!

Since posting this a year ago it's obvious from the responses that the above fix doesn't work for everyone but it's certainly worth giving the above solution a shot as it's so simple, if it doesn't then follow one of the other solutions mentioned further on in the discussion.  Once you have the updates working again the problem does not reoccur so obviously Microsoft fixed the problem in a subsequent update. I also notice that one year on and some people are still only just discovering Windows has not been updating all this time, so guess it pays to check updates are being installed occasionally!

Answer 1

Just one other thought in case you haven't yet checked it.  Have you been in to '*Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Computer management/Services and applications/Services'*and scrolled down to see if Windows Update is Enabled and started.   Default should be 'Automatic (Delayed start)' 

If it's set to 'Disabled' it produces the scenario of the red X in the box and when clicking for updates the message

‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’

It's worth checking that.  If it is disabled, re-enable it and reboot and try again.

Answer 2

There's one more thing you could try and that is to download and install the latest update for Windows 7.  This was released on 13th Dec and I've just installed it.  This may supersede the latest update you have on your PC and clear the problem, worth a try anyway.  The update is  

2017-12 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB4054518)

It's available from the Microsoft catalogue at https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4054518

Just make sure you download the correct one for your operating system i.e the x86 version for 32 bit or X64 version for 64bit.

Download it to your desktop and then disconnect from the internet, as sometimes these stand-alone updates will not install when connected to internet.  I've done this before when windows update wont install automatically and it's worked fine.

Answer 3

Hi Rob

Yes, in view of those values in Registry not being there, wise move to leave as is.  Like you, when I had this problem the update history page was blank. I now have this list back since fixing the problem.  There have been many issues with Win 7 updates since the release of Win 10 and I spent many hours looking for solutions.  If it was me I would try the restore option, not a lot to lose on that one.  With regards to recent updates that could have caused this I have listed below the recent update history, including details, on my PC that had this problem.  The Windows updates previous to those listed below were installed on 15/11/2017 so I would presume the update that has caused this problem is one of the three installed on 29/11/2017 below: 

"Security Update for Microsoft Office 2007 suites (KB4011604)

Installation date: ‎29/‎11/‎2017 08:47

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office 2007 suites  that could allow arbitrary code to run when a maliciously modified file is opened. This update resolves that vulnerability.

More information:

https://support.microsoft.com/kb/4011604

Help and Support:

https://support.microsoft.com/?LN=en-us"

---

"2017-11 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB4051034)

Installation date: ‎29/‎11/‎2017 08:47

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Optional

Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

More information:

http://support.microsoft.com/help/4051034"

---

Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2952664)

Installation date: ‎29/‎11/‎2017 08:47

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Recommended

Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

More information:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2952664

---

So if you are going to do a restore I would choose a date before 29/11/2017.  I have requested on this forum that someone from Microsoft look in to this problem and work on a solution, but not seen any response as yet!

Will be interested how you get on with the restore.

Dan

Answer 4

Hi Rob

That's a pity the restore didn't work.  The glass of wine sounds a good idea!  I'll keep working on this one as it appears not everyone with this problem has the same solution for the fix. I will try and create the fault on a spare Win 7 PC that I have and if I get anywhere with that I'll get back to you.

Answer 5

Hi dandm2015, not good news. I restored to 4/12/17 as prior to this I had no problems. This restore did not work, update still in same state. Chose to restore back to23/11/17 knowing this had to be good point definitely. Still no joy and still no update history and unable to access settings. I am fortunate that all my important files and programs are on a PC Win 10 up to date and not Laptop. However I am concerned about online threats as not able to update currently. I have used my Norton 360 to scan for threats and none found. This problem seems to be deeper than just corrupted files.  

I am now sitting here with glass of wine with thinking cap on. I will try and explore other avenues and keep you up to date.

Regards