Windows Update keep turning itself off

[Sylveon Fetish]

I am having an issue across two different PCs. a Dell Optiplex 780 (desktop) and a Lenovo b570 (laptop). Windows Update will automatically turn off at seemingly random times. I am then presented with a message in the action center, "Change Windows Update settings" and it will ask if I want to install updates automatically or to not install updates. I always choose the option to install updates automatically.



I get this popup notification several times a day on both PCs. I have not installed anything new on either PC. In fact, there has not been anything installed on these two computers in quite some time other than usual updates to software e.g. Firefox.


Does anybody know what the problem could be?

 

[Ranger4]

This MS website might help you diagnosing what is causing your problem. Follow some of the suggestions particularly the one on Clean Boot to isolate a program that might be the cause.

Automatic Windows Update keeps shutting off

 

[Ouatcheur]

I do not have (or want) Microsoft or GitHub accounts, so I can't post my own solution into Ranger4's linked website, so I will post it here instead:

I had the exact same problem. Sometimes with the AWU (Automatic Windows Update) popup, the one that is asking to turn the AWU back on (usually occurring right or soon after the AWU turned itself off), popping up every few minutes, for hours on end. At other times, I got peace and quiet for days.

It was so weird and infuriating that, at times, I felt (almost) ready for some badly needed peace and quiet "me-time" in some solitary padded cell at some local "loony bin with friendly staff" type of accommodations, away from anything "computer".

In any case, I seemed to have noticed that it happens more when I play games or when I am streaming videos at full-screen in Chrome.

So, since someone said that it might be the antivirus that is at fault, I tried this:

--> Notification area
--> AVG Antivirus Free icon (as of 2019-07 using version 19.6.3098 )
--> Menu (located top right)
--> Settings
--> Tools
--> Do Not Disturb Mode (abbreviation: DNDM)
--> I then toggled 'OFF' the 'Pause Windows Update' checkbox, which was 'ON'.

AFAIK, that seems to have fixed it. Still crossing my fingers here, though!

Quite the stupid antivirus default behavior, if you ask me.

Your own antivirus is probably different, but trying to check your AV settings relative to finding options about bootup, or about DNDM, or about gaming, might help some of those of you who have the same problem, but without forcing you to enter Safe Mode in order to scan which active service or process might be the culprit, like suggested above.