Solved Windows update not working, hangs while "searching for updates"

[sherwoods12]

Windows update not working, hangs while "searching for updates"

This is an on-going problem and I am at my wits end.

What I have: Toshiba laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, 64bit, no additional software installed since I could never get past the update issue.

The symptom: went attempting to run windows update it says "searching for updates". It never stops "searching for updates" until I close or end the program. I have let it run for 2 days straight.

What I have tried:
1. Did the "clear the cache" fix, (stopped BITS and windows update services, deleted SoftwareDistribution folder, then restarted), no change
2. Attempted to install updates manually, it hangs on "searching for updates on this computer".

3. Even when trying to install the system update readiness tool does not work.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you

 

[sherwoods12]

I decided to start over, even installed a new, factory fresh hard drive (I have planned to do this in the future and thought this would be a good time to do it).
I installed Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, SP1 from an original windows disk.
I activated windows successfully and started windows update.
It does the same thing as before, just says "searching for updates" and never does anything else.
Could it be my hardware? I have a good fast internet connection to most sites. Memory tested good.
No driver issues seen.
I did notice when I installed windows, all the window colors were set to red.
I don't remember seeing that before. I changed the color to the default blue color.

Thank you for your continued support.
-Doug

 

[Brds7t7]

Hi Doug,

Unfortunately Windows Update isn't working great for anyone on Windows 7 lately. However, I've had better results after this update was installed:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810

It "should" pick up the updates a lot quicker. It has worked for me tested in quite a few VM's. It usually picks up all the updates within 10-20 minutes. But, it can also depend on when you do the search. I've had much quicker results checking in the morning than in the evening. I'm in the UK though, so it may be different for you.

Lee

 

[sherwoods12]

Thank Lee,
I have already tried the update you indicated and does not install, I get "searching for updates on this computer" and need to use the task manager to cancel it.
I have programs that I need for work that require some of the .net updates as well as some others.
This is frustrating.

 

[Brds7t7]

Thank Lee,
I have already tried the update you indicated and does not install, I get "searching for updates on this computer" and need to use the task manager to cancel it.
I have programs that I need for work that require some of the .net updates as well as some others.
This is frustrating.

Try a full reboot before installing and it should then install (I've had that same issue). You'll need to reboot again though.

 

[sherwoods12]

I did the update again and it still does not work.
My PC gets updates just fine and it has the same version of windows and is using the same network connection.
I'll keep trying other things. Installing updates manually until it is resolved.

 

[Summerbear5]

Hello, I am having the same exact issue. I had to do a factory reset on my laptop computer and it was intially installing updates just fine, then it came to the part it said I needed to update the update tool or some similar message...it went ahead and updated and I restarted the computer...since then it keeps saying checking for updates, and the standalone tool keeps saying Searching for updates on this computer.

Can't go any further and I really need to get this computer fully updated. Any help appreciated.

 

[Brds7t7]

Not sure why that update won't install for you guys, I've had no issues installing it on numerous test VM's and on my main system.

You could try resetting the Windows update components first and see if that works.

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

 

[Guzzard]

I just installed a new Windows 7 original msdn image 2009 without SP1 and Windows Update is working properly. Then I installed SP1 and other updates. Simple as it is.

 

[Summerbear5]

Already did the Windows update reset and it still won't work. I even ran disk cleanup to clean up system files and it still isn't going.

 

[Richierich]

Same exact problem here. Just bought a new HD for my laptop. Toshiba Satellite. Installed everything on new HD. My windows 7 windows update did as follows :
Did not start automatically so I manually pressed search for updates
- it said windows updater had a update, so I got it. It restarted as normal and is now stuck at 'searching for updatea'

I tried reinstalling windows 3x. I tried clearing cache methods, scanning for anything malicious. And letting it sit for maybe 3 hours on (searching for updates) with no avail.

This all occurred in the last few days. Now on my 4th reinstall (right now) and using my phone to write this before I do anything.

 

[Summerbear5]

Richierich that is my same exact problem. Said there was an update for the Windows updater and it's been stuck there ever since. The laptop is no longer under warranty and I've searched google and couldn't find anything.

Was wondering if there was a way to uninstall the windows updater's update and try again...maybe it didn't update correctly? But don't know what to uninstall. =\

How do I manually install updates and how do I know which ones I should install?

 

[Richierich]

Lol that's the search I used to find this website ( manually install Windows updates) lol

I messed around with it last night until I forced a error code. I can't find the # but I know it said something with connection to the update server. Which made me turn off my firewall or verify I did not have both Norton and Windows firewall on. Which I didn't. Everything was normal. I wonder if the server is down from high traffic due to Christmas? Is that even possible?

 

[Richierich]

Also like to mention I tried doing the installation wireless and wired. ( as one of the tutorials online said was a possible solution) but did not help. Maybe you can try this also, hopefully works for you.

 

[Summerbear5]

I was thinking the same thing, everyone with their new computers on Christmas must be tying up the server but not sure how that works, I have wsusoffline1021 but I don't know how to use it. =\

 

[Richierich]

Ok sick of waiting I'm doing it again. I manually hit install updates. It searched and closed automatically. When I reopen it says ( search for updates) and is red as if I have not searched prior. I checked update history :
Windows update agent 7.6.7600.320 successful important 12/26/2015

Something I noticed and am doing different this time. Is I will restart my computer now. ( when I right clicked the info on my update history list, it says computer needs to be restarted before changes take effect. ) . I'll let you know if I have any luck.
.............
Upon restart, Windows installed 62 files. ( I'm guessing part of the agent) since that is the only thing I clicked since the fresh install

OK it finished starting up and I hit search for updates and am greeted immediately with a error

Code 80244019

 

[Summerbear5]

Ok I tried to use wsusoffline1021, It scanned my computer downloaded whatever it needed to download and then I went to install and it got stuck saying installing 1 of 9 and didn't move for over an hour. I closed it restarted the computer tried again but it still didn't move past the 1 of 9. Went to shutdown the computer and it said install updates and shutdown on it's own and went threw installing 1 of 12 then it completely shutdown. I don't know if using wsusoffline1021 helped and maybe jump started something or if Windows Update finally started working. I know the only way I'm getting updates now is to hit install updates and shutdown, if I just open windows update and attempt to check for updates it is still getting stuck on checking for updates. So far I've down 12 updates, then 120, now 83 and have had to hit install updates and shut down each time.

 

[Richierich]

Mine randomly started working also ill post in a min. the steps i took since i have to transfer from my cell to this comptuer

 

[Richierich]

Ok this is what i did step by step, i hope it works for you also as mine just started working.
btw im using 64 bit windows 7 so if you have 32 i think you need a diferent download.

1. restart your computer, do not manually start the windows update.
first download this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20858
this is called "system update readiness tool for windows 7"
its a big file 500 megs or so. but once its downloaded , run it. mine ran for about 10 min. ( i thought it froze up ) but i left it alone and it completed.

2. after it completed i restarted my computer.

3. after restart i tried to manually start it again but still was frozen on searrching for updates

at this time I ran a error check on my C:/ to do this follow my instructions:

-goto my computer
-Right click your main drive ( mine is C:/) most likely yours is the same
-click properties
-click TOOLS tab
-you will see (ERROR CHECKING) click CHECK NOW and then ok

now restart your computer. This should initiate a quick scan of your C for errors after the restart, mine looked like a dos screen. and then after about 5 min. my computer booted up as normal.

4. once it reloaded again, my windows update AUTOMATICALLY ran. i did not click it, it jus started working.

I hope very much you have the same results.

I also will post a amazing link that actually gives you many many methods to fix the problem IF that does not work.

heres the link to the ""amazing site page""
============================================================================
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/2509997
the site will give you many methods of fixing about 20 is methods.

to save you some time. the highest ranking ones that seemed to get upvotes from other people in order are :

1 change your DNS on your router from (automatic fromISP) to 8.8.8.8. and as a secondary 8.8.4.4.

2 Method 4: Run the System Update Readiness tool (CheckSur.exe) ( this is what i said above that worked for me) Note After you run the tool, the CheckSur.log file is saved in the following location:%systemroot%\logs\cbs

3 Method 5: Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
2. At the command prompt, type sfc /scannow, and then press Enter.
3. After the scan is finished, try to install updates again.

4

Method 6: Reset the content of the Catroot2 folder


To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
2. Type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:
   • net stop cryptsvc
   • md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old
   • xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s
3. Delete all contents of the catroot2 folder, but do not delete the catroot2 folder.
4. Type the following command, and then press Enter:net start cryptsvc
5. Exit the Command Prompt window.

================================================================






Between the lines of (===) can all be found on that link i called *amazing. I only copied the highest ranking ones , to save you time. Further instructions and more detailed can be found on that link i posted.

 

[Richierich]

If both of ours started working randomly maybe the server was down in our area? Im located in missouri.