- Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix 3
- Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix
- Restart Windows Update Service
- Windows 7 Update Not Working
- Windows 7 Will Not Update
Had to reinstall Win7U from a system image dated three years ago, got to the point of checking Windows Update, got the dreaded 'service is not running', tried several fixes offered by Microsoft itself to no avail, and then learned to delete the Software Distribution Folder here, and after hours of frustration, success.
While one of the most crucial applications on the Windows OS, Windows update is also the buggy one. Of the many errors with Windows update, a well-known one is:
Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your system.
As the error suggests, the user should try restarting the system if it helps. Usually, it won’t.
Cause
The cause is simple: The “Windows update service” did not start. However, the reasons the service did not start could be many.
Try the following steps one by one if it helps:
![Windows Windows](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124882162/252258872.jpg)
Solution 1] Restart the Windows update service
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window. Type the command services.msc and press Enter to open the Service Manager.
2] In the list, which is arranged in alphabetical order, locate the Windows update service. Right-click on it and then click on Restart.
3] Reboot the system and check if it helps.
Solution 2] Manually Start the service
1] Press Win + R to open the Run window. Type the command services.msc and press Enter to open the Service Manager window.
2] Locate the Windows update service, right-click on it and select Properties.
3] Change the Startup type to manual and click on Start.
4] Click on Apply and then OK. Make sure that the Service status says “Running.”
Now, without restarting the system, try running the Windows update. Since the service is running, we shouldn’t get the error. Once the system has updated, the issue might get resolved for future as well (since Microsoft keeps pushing fixes through Windows updates).
Solution 3] Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
1] Click on the Start button and then the gear-like symbol to open the Settings page.
2] Go to Updates and security and then to the Troubleshoot tab.
Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix 3
3] Select the Windows update troubleshooter and Run it.
Solution 4] Update the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
Updating the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver could be helpful if the above-mentioned steps failed. Here’s the procedure to update a Windows driver.
Solution 5] Reregister Windows Update Files
Re-registering the Windows update .dll files would help fix the issue if nothing else did.
Note: Please create a backup or restore point for your system before attempting this fix.
1] Search for Command Prompt in the Windows search bar. Right-click on the icon and select Run as administrator.
2] Type the following commands in the administrative Command Prompt one by one and press Enter after each command:
3] Exit Command Prompt after all these command have executed and reboot the system.
We hope this exhaustive troubleshooting guide would be helpful in fixing the issue.
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Last updated on February 13th, 2017
Windows Update error 'Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer' probably occurs when Windows temporary update folder (SoftwareDistribution folder) is corrupted. To easily fix this error, follow the below steps in this tutorial.
How to resolve Windows (8, 7 or Vista) update error: 'Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running' when you check for updates.
Solution 1: Solve Windows Update cannot check for updates' error using Microsoft Fix It utility
Update: Unfortunately Microsoft has removed the FixIt utility. So, ignore this solution and continue to solution 2.
1. Download the Microsoft Fix It utility to your computer from: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2730071.
2.RunMicrosoft Fix It tool and press 'Accept'.
3. Select 'Detect problems and apply the fixes for me (Recommended)' option.
4. Let the troubleshooter to fix Windows Update problems and press 'Next'. *
* If the problem is fixed, close the troubleshooter and check for Windows updates again. Otherwise continue to Solution 2.
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Solution 2: Solve Windows Update cannot check for updates' error manually.
Step 1: Stop Windows Update service.
To do this:
a. Simultaneously press Windows key + R to open run command box.
b. Inside run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
c. Search for Windows Update service, then right click on it and select Stop.
d. Without closing the services window, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Delete or Rename Windows update temporary storage folder.
To do this:
a. Open 'My Computer' and navigate to 'C:Windows'folder.
Windows 7 Update Service Not Running Fix
b. Delete (or Rename e.g. to 'SoftwareDistributionOLD') the 'SoftwareDistribution' folder.
Restart Windows Update Service
Step 3: Start Windows Update service.
a. Go to Windows services and 'Start'the Windows Update service.
b. Try to update Windows again.
Solution 3: Install the KB3102810 Standalone Update.
- Download and install the KB3102810 security update. After installation restart your computer and check for updates. (Applied to: Windows 7 SP1 & Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.)
- Restart your computer.
- Stop Windows Update Service. (See Solution 2: Step 1)
- Delete the Software Distribution Folder. (See Solution 2: Step 2)
- Restart your computer and then check for updates. Leave your computer about an hour to find Updates.
Solution 4: Update the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver.
Install the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver (Intel RST). *
Source:http://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02219204
* You can download the latest RSTS driver from your computer's manufacturer website or from the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) Download Center
![Windows update service not running windows 7 fix it Windows update service not running windows 7 fix it](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124882162/432875638.png)
Hope this helps!
Windows 7 Update Not Working
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Windows 7 Will Not Update
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