Win Updates runs for hours, finds nothing.

Reset a friends Win 8.1 laptop with factory reset. Checked for updates and installed 23.
After restart checked for more updates and the update checker runs for hours (and hours) finds nothing.
I had to leave to look at a home property for my nephew and didn't get back for 5 hours and update was still checking.
What do I need to do to reset Windows 8.1 update.

Hello Bill, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If restarting the computer doesn't sort it for you, then you could use option two in the tutorial below to reset Windows Update.

Windows Update - Reset - Windows 7 Help Forums

Thanks Brink, but that didn't help. I have never used Win 8 before so I know very little about it.
Resetting the computer again now and starting over.

Please let us know how it went.

I also had such issue several times after fresh installation of Windows 8.1 ISO. In my case, KB3138615 always resolved the problem. Before install it, need to switch off Internet connection and restart PC. After installation connect again and update as usual.
Download Update for Windows 8.1 (KB3138615) from Official Microsoft Download Center

Restored the system a second time and all is working well.,
@Slavic: Your link was the x86 version but I got the x64 and saved for future use.
Thanks Both,
Bill

Good morning;
A first timer here so I hope joining this thread is not inappropriate.

Grandpa also has the runs forever; well, his laptop, really.

I did a reset of his Asus Zenbook W 8.1 (twice actually) with the same issue; “Checking for updates…” runs for hours on end with no results.

Upon each reset, the “Installed Updates” lists 5 from March 2014 (purchase date) 40 from Sept 2014 and two from Oct 2019 (reset date).

I have done everything conceivable, including 4 different AV scans, sfc, MS Fixits, multiple suggested KB “fixes” and all the suggestions from Brink in this thread.

Nothing has shown any issues, corruptions, missing files or threats.

So, a couple of questions;
Should a “Reset” include those 47 updates mentioned above?
Could one or more of those be a roadblock to updates?
If so, can those 47 updates be safely removed for a do-over?

Grandpa thanks you.

billmcct; I'm happy for you, it is frustrating.
Did you do anything differently from first to second Reset?

Read @Slavic's post above, his link is for KB3138615 x86.
The link for x64 is:
Download Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3138615) from Official Microsoft Download Center

May fix the problem.

WOW!!!

Slavic and billmcct, take a bow.

Bill, I tried the link by Slavic and it popped “not compatible with your system". Thank you for pointing out the x86 vs x64 difference.
BINGO!!!
I used your link to x64 and did as instructed by Slavic. The result was 165 important and 13 optional updates.

Thank you both, very much.

So, the question now is, how could something so simple, have not shown up anywhere else, in two days of searching?

Also, what did that fix actually do?

Damn good question.
I suggest you keep the download and instructions in a backup for future use.

Thank you, billmcct! I had to add two links, for x86 and x64, but forgot it because last time I used this patch on x86 machine.
As for a question, what exactly this patch does... You can get some insight reading its description in KB3138615 article, but I suspect that some internal changes are not mentioned there. Anyway it fixes the common problem with endless waiting for update.

actually guys the WU forever problem in Win8.1 is permanently fixed by installing either KB3161606 or KB3172614 rollup update, which include the WU fixes from KB3138615 (meaning the KB3161606 & KB3172614 updates supersede/replace KB3138615)

install the KB3172614 update from any of these links as KB3172614 also supersedes/replaces KB3161606 [32bit/x86] [64bit/x64]

both KB3161606 and KB3172614 rollup updates include this fix from KB3163023:

Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2: June 2016

About this update
-This update contains some improvements to Windows Update Client in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. This includes an optimization that addresses long update scan time that might be experienced on some computers.

Click to expand...

Bill, I tried the link by using Slavic and it popped “not compatible with your system". Thank you for pointing out the x86 vs x64 difference. BINGO!!! I used your link to x64 and did as suggested through Slavic. The result was 165 essential and 13 elective updates.