Windows 7: Windows update failed.

GN1992 · 27 Aug 2012

Hi, I'm running Windows 7 home premium 64bit and I'm trying to update my system and it says "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer." Well, I have restarted my computer and it still says that and when I go into the services, neither the BITS or Automatic Updates services are there.

If you could help, I would be really glad.

Skylais · 27 Aug 2012

In windows update click "change settings". Change it to "never check for updates:not recommended" Press ok, after that put it back to "install updates automatically (recommended). Press ok. Next press "check for updates" if possible.
IF that does not fix it, then try running the attached tool.

Brink · 27 Aug 2012

Hello GN1992, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you like, you can download the .reg files for the missing default "BITS" and "Windows Update" (?) services in the tutorial below to restore them.

Services - Restore Default Services in Windows 7

Afterwards, you can use OPTION TWO in the tutorial below to reset Windows Update.

Windows Update - Reset

Hope this helps,
Shawn

GN1992 · 27 Aug 2012

I tried your first solution and it gave me the same message in a pop up window again.

As for the tool, it showed 4 things wrong and all of them being "Reparing windows update components frequently resolves common Windows Update errors" And all 4 were not repaired.

Skylais · 27 Aug 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by GN1992

I tried your first solution and it gave me the same message in a pop up window again.

As for the tool, it showed 4 things wrong and all of them being "Reparing windows update components frequently resolves common Windows Update errors" And all 4 were not repaired.

Okay, give Brink's a try. He is a mastermind:P

GN1992 · 27 Aug 2012

Alright, I have followed his steps and now it shows that I have updates but when i tried to download them, it gives me an error code. 80246008 to be exact with it. If you could help with this too, it would be really great.

Skylais · 27 Aug 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by GN1992

Alright, I have followed his steps and now it shows that I have updates but when i tried to download them, it gives me an error code. 80246008 to be exact with it. If you could help with this too, it would be really great.

Ok try running the original attached tool in a previous post. If that fails to fix it, then here is more info regarding the error code. It seems a simple fix : Windows Update error 80246008

GN1992 · 27 Aug 2012

I ran the tool again and it came up with 2 of the previous errors now instead of 4. When I tried to follow the step of the fix that you linked to, I went into services after merging both BITS and Windows update. BITS was not there but Windows update was, so I was not able to complete the steps. I tried merging BITS into the registry again and it still did not show in Services.

Skylais · 27 Aug 2012

Open cmd as an administrator and copy and paste this: sc create BITS binpath= "c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs" start= delayed-auto
Then when done go into services find Background intelligent transfer service and restart it.
see how this rules out.

**koolkat77** · 27 Aug 2012

You may want to run a SFC scannow, reboot if it finds problems.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Also take a look at this tutorial for ideas:

Windows Update Error 80246008 in Windows 7 - Fix

Windows 7: Windows update failed.

Windows update failed. problems?