Solved windows 7 update stuck at "checking for updates..."

[Leo1277]

I've read so many things, that I'm not sure where I read my eventual answer....too many tabs open while searching for answers, but what was posted was something about Windows Update Agent being "replaced" with Windows Update Client? And, although the old update agent may eventually, after a long period of time, get your updates, this problem was eliminated for me, by updating to the latest Windows Update "Client".

I believe, for the sake of having the reader find the latest possible version, at the time they are reading his post, he insisted on searching the web for it, so I did....And by searching "Latest windows update client" I found KB3172605. It was released in July 2016 ****BUT****, if you don't have the one that was re-released on Sept 13, 2016, you could still have a problem. Meaning, if you find that KB3172605 listed as installed, but not on Sept. 13th or later, I guess you could still have a problem. Don't know if it helps anyone still having a problem, but this is the only thing that worked for me. I got excited and joined the forum just to post my results in case it could help anyone.

And then I tried to execute that search again, and couldn't find it!!....so I searched it by number.... Here's a link to the page....

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

Hope it helps someone!

This did indeed work for me too; and I also just joined the forum to express my thanks.

I spent the better part of three days in frustration because the updater just could not locate any updates but continuously burned 25% CPU / 1 core via the svchost on my quad core notebook. I tried many different suggestions with more and more annoyance and worries that this PC cannot be salvaged, but after downloading and installing the "updated update" as suggested above, the updater found four new updates within minutes. After installing them, as well as one more update that was found immediately afterwards, all seems to be well. The updater is now set to continuously monitor for updates (but not download them), and now nearly a day later, has not used any noticeable CPU cycles anymore.

Thanks again for the great help, you made my day yesterday!

 

[Teksonik]

I just wanted to give a heartfelt thanks to who ever suggested KB 3172605 ! That has worked for me. It found 18 updates in five seconds when I had just run an update search for two hours before. Brilliant !

 

[Toxophilite]

I've read so many things, that I'm not sure where I read my eventual answer....too many tabs open while searching for answers, but what was posted was something about Windows Update Agent being "replaced" with Windows Update Client? And, although the old update agent may eventually, after a long period of time, get your updates, this problem was eliminated for me, by updating to the latest Windows Update "Client".

I believe, for the sake of having the reader find the latest possible version, at the time they are reading his post, he insisted on searching the web for it, so I did....And by searching "Latest windows update client" I found KB3172605. It was released in July 2016 ****BUT****, if you don't have the one that was re-released on Sept 13, 2016, you could still have a problem. Meaning, if you find that KB3172605 listed as installed, but not on Sept. 13th or later, I guess you could still have a problem. Don't know if it helps anyone still having a problem, but this is the only thing that worked for me. I got excited and joined the forum just to post my results in case it could help anyone.

And then I tried to execute that search again, and couldn't find it!!....so I searched it by number.... Here's a link to the page....

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

Hope it helps someone!

Thanks so much, Scooby63
Two days ago I had to do a system restore to 2 weeks' earlier, due to an unrelated PC problem.
Then when trying to perform Windows Update, it hung forever - more than 24 hours.
I found your suggestion, and Bingo! - Solved the problem totally.
I have just joined this Forum to express my grateful thanks.

 

[Hijin25]

Today reinstall Windows 7 64bit, I installed the update kb3172605 and I quickly detected 160 major updates and more optional groups, I proceeded to the installation of important and made correctly. But back to check for updates after the restart, again checking for updates stays forever. I stopped working team for 5 hours and does not end. Now that I can do?

 

[Leo1277]

Hijin25, you may want to try to install the latest version of KB3172605 one more time - there is a possibility that the updater was overwritten back to an older version in these 160 updates you found.

 

[erpster4]

Manually download & install the KB3172605 update from here:
Microsoft Update Catalog

Both KB3161608 & KB3172605 should install & update the Windows Update Agent/Client app to v7.6.7601.23453, which should resolve the "checking for updates" problem with WU for good.

After installing KB3172605, check the file properties of the wuaueng.dll file in the Windows\System32 folder - it should be version 7.6.7601.23453 dated 5/13/2016.

In all my Win7 PCs, scanning for updates take between 4 to 6 minutes w/ KB3172605 installed - all using at least a dual-core CPU with 2Gb of RAM or more

Hijin25 may also wanna try this resetting WU script after KB3172605 is already installed:
Script Reset Windows Update Agent

 

[jdlweb]

Windows 7 Update Problems

I know this is an old post but this will fix all you update issues:
Here is a 100% guaranteed solution to the updating blues for Windows 7
You should first download these 6 files:
1. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...B0A-35769CBBE6B0/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu 2. 64 Bit- http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._2dafb1d203c8964239af3048b5dd4b1264cd93b9.msu
32 Bit- http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._ba1ff5537312561795cc04db0b02fbb0a74b2cbd.msu 3. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...6F1-B25B137E3C87/Windows6.1-KB3102810-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...371-1A7F5AC417E9/Windows6.1-KB3102810-x86.msu 4. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...199-5B335EE092F6/Windows6.1-KB3112343-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...199-5B335EE092F6/Windows6.1-KB3112343-x64.msu 5. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...67F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...A9C-6B30C3E1735A/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x86.msu 6. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...7A1-BF8608449C85/Windows6.1-KB3161664-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...0B6-F243DDC20D51/Windows6.1-KB3161664-x86.msu Ok Now that you’ve downloaded everything, here is the precise process. Please don’t skip any steps or it may or may not work properly for you. I’ve included the 32 bit links even though most people have problems with the 64 Bit.
1. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
2. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the first on you downloaded earlier (KB3020369)
3. Click close after in finishes
4. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the second one you downloaded (KB3125574)
5. Restart the computer at the end when it asks you to do so.
6. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
7. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the third download (KB3102810)
8. Click close after in finishes
9. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the fourth download (KB3112343)
10. Click close after in finishes
11. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the fifth download (KB3172605)
12. Restart the computer at the end when it asks you to do so.
13. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
14. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the final downloaded file (KB3161664)
15. Your updates will now work! You’re Welcome

 

[Hijin25]

Thanks for your answers, it seems I was wrong, there was installed kb3172605, had installed 3050265 and 3102810. But when I try to install the 3172605 indicates to me that the update can not be applied to my team.

 

[jdlweb]

Just follow complete list

Just follow my above list, if it is already installed it will tell you it is.
This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates...

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Just follow my above list, if it is already installed it will tell you it is.
This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates...

Thank you, thank you! F'n Microsoft should hire you. LOL

This worked perfectly, although I found it easier to disable Windows Update through the Control Panel.

 

[Hijin25]

Just follow my above list, if it is already installed it will tell you it is.
This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates...

thanks, I follow your method, if you do not mind, this method works with a clean install of W7 64bit sp1 ?. To follow the method, I must be connected to the Internet or indistinct ?. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hijin25]

I know this is an old post but this will fix all you update issues:
Here is a 100% guaranteed solution to the updating blues for Windows 7
You should first download these 6 files:
1. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...B0A-35769CBBE6B0/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu 2. 64 Bit- http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._2dafb1d203c8964239af3048b5dd4b1264cd93b9.msu
32 Bit- http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._ba1ff5537312561795cc04db0b02fbb0a74b2cbd.msu 3. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...6F1-B25B137E3C87/Windows6.1-KB3102810-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...371-1A7F5AC417E9/Windows6.1-KB3102810-x86.msu 4. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...199-5B335EE092F6/Windows6.1-KB3112343-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...199-5B335EE092F6/Windows6.1-KB3112343-x64.msu 5. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...67F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...A9C-6B30C3E1735A/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x86.msu 6. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...7A1-BF8608449C85/Windows6.1-KB3161664-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/down...0B6-F243DDC20D51/Windows6.1-KB3161664-x86.msu Ok Now that you’ve downloaded everything, here is the precise process. Please don’t skip any steps or it may or may not work properly for you. I’ve included the 32 bit links even though most people have problems with the 64 Bit.
1. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
2. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the first on you downloaded earlier (KB3020369)
3. Click close after in finishes
4. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the second one you downloaded (KB3125574)
5. Restart the computer at the end when it asks you to do so.
6. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
7. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the third download (KB3102810)
8. Click close after in finishes
9. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the fourth download (KB3112343)
10. Click close after in finishes
11. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the fifth download (KB3172605)
12. Restart the computer at the end when it asks you to do so.
13. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
14. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the final downloaded file (KB3161664)
15. Your updates will now work! You’re Welcome

Many, thank you very much brother. I followed your method and everything works perfectly.

A big hug from Mexico.

 

[fwcleve]

Thank you

I, too, have joined the Forum to say, my sincere thanks to rd1981 and all of you.

Installing this single update item (KB3172605) did the trick.

I downloaded it from the link provided, double-clicked it to install it, rebooted,
tried an Update -- and it worked!

I really had to dig for this one. There are LOTS of people talking about it, and lots of
complicated "solutions". I finally found this simple one. Isn't there someway to broadcast
that to Win7 users -- put it in their faces, so they don't have to scour the Net to
find a simple answer? This is another shame-on-Microsoft issue; for many non-techie users,
that's IT -- this bug breaks Windows Update for them, permanently.

Normally, I'm not this cynical, but, isn't it interesting that this occurred right after
the great Win 10 push, impacting the people who obviously, deliberately declined 10?

Here's the humorous part. I found KB3172605 sitting in the Optionals list, marked as "Recommended".
I never do the optionals, considering them low-priority, and not wanting to "fix what ain't broke".
It's a Catch-22 anyway: you need to update the updater -- which is broken, so you can't.

This and other recent MS insanities (such as trying to ram 10 down our throats with that
asinine GWX nag-ware) has me looking at Linux. Haven't done it yet -- but I would LOVE to cut the
Windows cord. It's just become such a monstrosity over the years -- and I'm getting really,
REALLY tired of stuff like this happening. They aren't driving me to 10 -- they're driving me
away from Windows.

I'm so grateful that there are people out there like you guys, in forums like this.
You're the ones making things the least bit tolerable. You're the saviors. You're the greatest.

 

[joooklimnhs]

Sincerest Thank You!

This has worked for me every time:

The solution:

Stop the Windows Update Service (wuauserv).
Download and install KB3050265
reboot
Download and install KB3102810
Reboot and check for updates again. All of our machines found their required updates in less than 5 minutes.

I also looked VERY hard to find my SevenForums login after finding this post!

After days of frustration , hours of waiting for updates that never came, SEVEN re-imagings of my hard drive, I happened across this posting and followed it to the letter.

SUCCESS! The updates began flowing...

The only odd thing I would mention is that one of the new October 2016 updates didn't want to come down so I just downloaded it manually from Microsoft and installed it. Surprise, later that night, the SAME update came down AGAIN on it's own and installed correctly so my update history is now correct.

Thanks again so much! You've have helped lower one person's stress tremendously. Cheers!

 

[baboo85]

Just follow my above list, if it is already installed it will tell you it is.
This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates...

Thank you. Really. I joined this forum only to say this.

I didn't follow your order but installed them progressively, but it works anyway.

I want to thank you because people like you (and me) are rare today. When you ask for an help with a problem, always you read "check with antivirus, perform a restore, do a clean install". What the hell. Those are the tech support 2.0 of the internet (even the specialized one) and you NEVER find a real solution. Never. When the Windows 8 upgrade (from Windows 7) was out, I couldn't install it. Generic error appears. Asked for help, NOONE EVEN TRIED to help. Even in Answer Microsoft. They said "do a clean install".....FFS why? I bought an UPGRADE because I didn't want to lose data and programs and you tell me that? Really??? It's like asking for a coffee and they give you coffe beans in a cup and says "here, grind it yourself and enjoy".
I digged into Google to search for something, I found the installation log, I analyzed it, searched againg for the problem and finally resolved (uninstalled Nvidia Updater, because it creates a phantom user with same user "ID" (the exadecimal one) as yours and the Windows 8 upgrade fails).

So, really, thank you for your support. If there were more people like us in the internet, almost any problems could be solved in a couple of minutes instead to going crazy and end to format and reinstall from scratch or "live together" with the problem...

This has worked for me every time:

The solution:

Stop the Windows Update Service (wuauserv).
Download and install KB3050265
reboot
Download and install KB3102810
Reboot and check for updates again. All of our machines found their required updates in less than 5 minutes.

And thank you too. Your solution alone didn't work for me, but you helped anyway

 

[racy jace]

Just follow my above list, if it is already installed it will tell you it is.
This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates...

After 3 days of of trying to get updates of a fresh install of windows 7 home premium on my dads Dell xps m1730, I finally did it thanks to the above guide. I didnt realise how long you needed to leave it to search for updates so that would be the first thing id suggest before following the above.

I just downloaded the 6 files listed above and installed them one at a time. some require a reboot but you just carry on down the list when it boots back up.

Thanks people.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Way too many update clients in the process and 5 & 6 is in opposite order just look at the KB number
KB3020369 & KB3125574 & KB3172605 is all that is needed.
windows update

If you want to add another update use either of these last

If you want the Security Quality Rollup (which includes everything), then it's here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3185330 these will eventually be cumulative sometime in 2017.

If you want the Security-only update then that's from here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3192391 this won't be cumulative.

 

[dlwmacgregor]

None of the above helped with my "Windows 7 test machine". I keep this machine to test various hardware and software before unleashing it on my main machine.
I had "apparently" fixed it 2 weeks ago but a couple of days later I experienced some strange rebooting and corruption issues which I tracked down to a bad memory DIMM. After solving that problem, the Update problem returned.
Yesterday I finally solved it by running Microsoft's "Reset Windows 7 Update Script" found here...

Reset Windows updates - Microsoft Community

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep we have our own as Option #3 to do it automatically
Windows Update - Reset

It's also suggested to use here on post #2 for good measure
Windows Update will not update and I've tried multiple fixes

 

[Squarehead666]

I just joined to thank jdlweb for his solution:

Just follow my above list, if it is already installed it will tell you it is.
This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates...

Worked first time.....You sir are a gentleman & a scholar!