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

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

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

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.

sherwoods12 said:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Windows Update - Reset

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.

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.