Windows Update stuck at "Checking for Updates"

[Pentris]

Success thanks to erpster4

Install the following Win8.1 update - KB3172614
Microsoft Update Catalog

this update rollup contains Windows Update Client v7.9.9600.18340 from KB3163023 that should resolve the long "checking for updates" problem

Thanks to erpster4 for their Microsoft Update Catalog suggestion. It took a long time but eventually found my updates and continues to check correctly.
Pentris

 

[bummpr]

Install the following Win8.1 update - KB3172614
Microsoft Update Catalog

this update rollup contains Windows Update Client v7.9.9600.18340 from KB3163023 that should resolve the long "checking for updates" problem

Thanks to erpster4 for their Microsoft Update Catalog suggestion. It took a long time but eventually found my updates and continues to check correctly.
Pentris

How long is a "long time"? I have left mine go for over 24 hours and nothing happens.

I have tried this solution along with about 9 others to get Windows Update to work but none of them seem to unstick the Update block. I am on my third clean install of 8.1 Pro and they all have stopped updating after the initial 47.

Anybody...please help!

 

[bummpr]

OK, I finally figured out how to fix this problem...

1 - Go to Services Console and STOP BITS and Windows Update services
2 - Go to Windows directory and delete ALL contents in SoftwareDistribution subdirectory
3 - Install the following Win8.1 update - KB3172614
Microsoft Update Catalog
4 - Restart your computer as directed
5 - Go to Control Panel and perform Check for Updates
6 - Prepare yourself an adult beverage and play on your flawless iPad

 

[5quirre1]

Bummpr, thank you for providing the solution to this ridiculous problem! This thread needs to be stickied and everyone within needs to rep. Kudos!

 

[grandpa1948]

I have the same problem with 8.1 update,stuck.Please somebody help this old man,how do I get to services console?,thanks for any help.

 

[grandpa1948]

I found the solution in a post at howtogeek.com.,are links allowed here?the solution they give there worked for me.
You can also search at the website for "windows updates stuck",it give you the solution,good luck to others with the
same problem.

 

[g2c]

OK, I finally figured out how to fix this problem...

1 - Go to Services Console and STOP BITS and Windows Update services
2 - Go to Windows directory and delete ALL contents in SoftwareDistribution subdirectory
3 - Install the following Win8.1 update - KB3172614
Microsoft Update Catalog
4 - Restart your computer as directed
5 - Go to Control Panel and perform Check for Updates
6 - Prepare yourself an adult beverage and play on your flawless iPad

it worked for me! Thank you

 

[Pault58]

OK, I finally figured out how to fix this problem...

1 - Go to Services Console and STOP BITS and Windows Update services
2 - Go to Windows directory and delete ALL contents in SoftwareDistribution subdirectory
3 - Install the following Win8.1 update - KB3172614
Microsoft Update Catalog
4 - Restart your computer as directed
5 - Go to Control Panel and perform Check for Updates
6 - Prepare yourself an adult beverage and play on your flawless iPad

Thanks for the info.

I would add that if, while trying to install, you get the error msg. "Update is not applicable to your computer", and you're sure you downloaded the correct one. I found a link that said to install this update, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021910 , before KB3172614. Which I did, and then I was able to apply bummpr's fix.

Now Windows Update works again!

 

[paul1149]

I would add that if, while trying to install, you get the error msg. "Update is not applicable to your computer", and you're sure you downloaded the correct one. I found a link that said to install this update, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021910 , before KB3172614. Which I did, and then I was able to apply bummpr's fix.

Now Windows Update works again!

Thank you very much. This was the missing link that solved my problem. A++++

Amazing that MS can't deal with things like this.

 

[Pault58]

I would add that if, while trying to install, you get the error msg. "Update is not applicable to your computer", and you're sure you downloaded the correct one. I found a link that said to install this update, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021910 , before KB3172614. Which I did, and then I was able to apply bummpr's fix.

Now Windows Update works again!

Thank you very much. This was the missing link that solved my problem. A++++

Amazing that MS can't deal with things like this.

Just glad to be able to save someone a little bit of headache.

 

[fadel]

[FONT=&quot]

Originally Posted by Pault58

I would add that if, while trying to install, you get the error msg. "Update is not applicable to your computer", and you're sure you downloaded the correct one. I found a link that said to install this update, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021910 , before KB3172614. Which I did, and then I was able to apply bummpr's fix.

Now Windows Update works again!



Thank you very much. This was the missing link that solved my problem. A++++

Amazing that MS can't deal with things like this.​

[/FONT]

yeah thank u that solved the issue .
[FONT=&quot]

Originally Posted by Pault58

I would add that if, while trying to install, you get the error msg. "Update is not applicable to your computer", and you're sure you downloaded the correct one. I found a link that said to install this update, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021910 , before KB3172614. Which I did, and then I was able to apply bummpr's fix.

Now Windows Update works again!



Thank you very much. This was the missing link that solved my problem. A++++

Amazing that MS can't deal with things like this.​

[/FONT]

 

[staustelladam]

Try downloading this batch file and right click, it, select properties, and unblock it. Then extract it and double click the shortcut give permission and let it run trough(it's done fast).
View attachment 68356

Oh Jeez! That's fantastic, it worked, thanks.

 

[staustelladam]

This would not install (it failed) which means the next one won't install. What is it with MS and their fixes and updates?

Do this/fail/incremental step back one/do that/fail/incremental step back one/ lather rinse repeat.

Can't they see that people have all sorts of problems ... for me (and I guess most people) it's KB2919355 - until I can install that I am stuffed.

Since yesterday I have done two more formatted reinstalls ... two! And each time more problems occur ... why can't they just get their act together and prepare a "Win 8.1 Fresh Install - Update With This FIRST!" and for it to just work. One update, one click, one solution. And work.

Seriously though, this install is still holding, whilst I try to resolve. If I get one more fail (start up/running diagnostics/fail) then I will finally be ditching Windows for good and going with Linux.

This has been going on for three weeks now ... three refresh installs and five fully formatted rescue installs. It's insane ... MS say how good Windows is ... why can't they just make the bloody thing work!

 

[Cliff S]

Oh Jeez! That's fantastic, it worked, thanks.

@staustelladam you're welcome.
To be honest I'm surprised it still works, as I now have all three my PC's on Windows 10, and now only have Windows 8.1 on a virtual machine so if I can still help some on here at Eight Forums, I don't have to do it by (now fading)memory

Have you tried updating your machine to Win10?
I have had no problems(serious or unsolvable anyhow), since upgrading my Win7 & Win8.1 machines, and to be honest they run better than before. But that's my hardware, others have had problems with their hardware.

 

[staustelladam]

@staustelladam Have you tried updating your machine to Win10?
I have had no problems(serious or unsolvable anyhow), since upgrading my Win7 & Win8.1 machines, and to be honest they run better than before. But that's my hardware, others have had problems with their hardware.

I did a Win 10 update when it was free, and rolled back half an hour later. I'm old school (pre-DOS days) and prefer menus, not tiles (I have tweaked my 8.1 to look and feel like XP, even though I know it isn't XP underneath I'm happy with the hybrid) Win 10 is/was just too radically different for my taste, and I do object to all the bloat/tracking/online that MS insist on pushing out ... I prefer freedom of choice, so Win 10 would never be for me.

 

[staustelladam]

Well, that didn't work either - it was promising, and yes, the system install was much cleaner and it is refreshing to have a Win install without any of the bloat (why can't they have this as default or at least optional?)

However, the fundamental problem remains - I cannot install update KB2919355, which is required for many things: Libre Office, Acrobate Reader for starters, but presumably due to the nature of the update it is key to running most things.

So, with the freshest of fresh installs (running very fast with the Win Blue install) I try to run Windows Update ... and it hangs ... and hangs ... and hangs ... continually searching for installed updates on the computer (I haven't installed any) and it just doesn't move along.

The same old steps and fixes, nothing is working to repair update, and even a complete WinUpdateFix script makes no difference. The Update Troubleshooter doesn't troubleshoot, and way beyond belief ... MS's own standalone WinUpdateInstaller (KB3138615) ... wait for it ... searching for updates before it can install ... it is still searching as I type, ninety minutes later.

And Microsoft's "help" is anything but ... the same old steps, the same old repairs, the same old system tools ... and the same old "default" response ... try refreshing/reinstalling Windows. I am on my ninth reinstall, it is not working.

I simply cannot go through this again, I was crying with frustration on Thursday ... why will Windows not just work? Why will update not simply update? Update is key to everything ... why can't they just create a "update broken/fix now" button ... that doesn't involve checking for updates? The "app/control" - just simply dowload/replace ... it can't be difficult.

In despair, and like so many before me, I have now finally decided to give up on Windows and switch to Linux. Win XP was perfect, it took a while to bed down properly, but it was the zenith of operating systems ... it did me well for fifteen years, and I loved it. And then they went and decided they had something "better."

So, thanks to those who tried to help across many different forums, I do appreciate it but ultimately the problem is with Microsoft and how they treat their customers. Windows was supposed to be easy, it was supposed to be good, but now it is neither. I will miss it, but my sanity is worth more than persisting with a broken relationship.

A.