Solved Unable to check for Windows update

[townsbg]

Today I went to check for updates on my virtual machines and on BOTH 2008 and 2008 R2 I am getting the error message that Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running and that I may need to restart my computer. Both have Windows update service running which I have restarted. I have even restarted the VMs. I was going to try and start over with Windows update by renaming software distribution but with the same issue on both VMs I suspect that I should look deeper.

I haven't run these virtual machines since November but I was able to update them at that time without any issues. Was there an update at that time that caused this issue on other computers? I have verified that both have internet connection by opening up a browser and event viewer is unremarkable. Are there other dependent services that I might have turned off? Could it be my VM software? I am running Vmware workstation 12.5. I need help with this because I am baffled by this. Both VMs have the latest service pack and 2 gb of ram allocated.

Edit: I've discovered that I have the same issue on a physical machine with 2008 r2 on it so I am thinking that I turned off something on all of them and I can't imagine what. I run that one more frequently. I don't have that issue on my Windows 7 machine.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Townsbg,

MS issued some duff certificates around that time, you wern't the only one
see post#9 for fix

Windows Update service not running - Windows 7 Help Forums

Roy

 

[townsbg]

Well that worked. So I take it that renaming software distribution wouldn't have helped? WU didn't find any updates for 2008. Do you know if there where any?

 

[Snick]

Hi townsbg,

No, renaming the software distribution folder is not the solution to an expired certificate.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Townsbg,

Renaming the folder wouldn't have worked also means you loose installed update history and the next time you checked for update would take even longer.

My memory's not that good 2008:roflmao:

Only been a couple in 2018, but as there cumulative now, next due out Tuesday, not aproblem

Might actually have benefitted you - with the 2 new flaws for Meltdown and Spectre updates being issued and pulled.
Suggest you reset WU to Let me Choose

Roy

 

[townsbg]

I prefer to keep WU at let me choose.

 

[townsbg]

Might actually have benefitted you - with the 2 new flaws for Meltdown and Spectre updates being issued and pulled.
Suggest you reset WU to Let me Choose

Roy

They where pulled? Why? Did they cause issues?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Townsbg,


Yes to both, have a look at my posts, #2 & 5, in Phil314's thread, this sub forum
Going nuts over repeated KB4055532 Update Fails - Windows 7 Help Forums
NOT totally everything about it but a good little synopsis


Roy