Solved Windows Update no longer working

[midjack]

I no longer can get Windows update to work; only getting a screen that reads:

"Windows Update can no longer check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer." Please see attachment.

I have restarted the computer but still get the same message.

What is meant by "the service is not running"?

Any suggestions will be thoroughly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Jack,

Double check using the tutorial below to make sure that the Windows Update service is enabled, started, and set to automatic. Afterwards, see if Windows Update will work for you now.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2495-services-start-disable.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[midjack]

Thanks, Shawn

Windows Update is set to enabled and automatic, but when I start it I get this message and Windows update is still not being called.

 

[Brink]

Did this just recently started to happen? If so, then you could see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before this started to hopefully undo and fix it.

If not, then for now see if the Windows Update troubleshooter may be able to help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/472-troubleshooting.html

 

[midjack]

I'm not sure when it happened...sometime after last month's update probably. I'll run System Restore as a last resort because I might lose more than I gain.

Ironically, I have a fairly fast computer, but all the Windows update screens are extremely slow in coming up. Used to come up much faster. Also I never could get the Update History screen to come up.

 

[midjack]

Somewhere I lost the statements I made that the Troubleshooter found nothing, and Mr. Fixit never would load.

 

[Brink]

In that case, see if resetting Windows Update using OPTION TWO in the tutorial below may help allow it to run afterwards.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html

 

[midjack]

Well Brink, you are obviously a genius! Your method of resetting Windows Update seems to have worked. I ran the reset program, rebooted and ran services.msc from where I was able to start Windows Update OK (wouldn't do it before.) I then ran Windows Update from All Programs. After over five minutes it came up with one update - the 53 MB MS NET Framework 4.5.1. This was done successfully although it took a fair amount of time.

Somehow and somewhere my previous update history must have been deleted, since my only history now is the MS NET Framework.

Looks like I'm back in business, although I still don't quite understand exactly what happened.

Anyway thanks much!

Case Closed! (I hope) I don't see the green check or I would use it.

Dick Sevier
Jackson, MS
(Formerly 30 years in Midland, Texas)

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Dick. I'm glad it was able to help.