[Magnolia5777]

My computer is set to update automatically but has not done so for about 2 months.  I tried to check for updates manually tonight and got the following message:  Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running.  You may need to restart your computer. I'm using Windows 7 professional at home.Can you help?

Edited by Magnolia5777, 11 January 2018 - 08:40 PM.

[Advertisements]

It sounds like you need to start the update service as follows

Click on Start menu
Type in cmd
Right click on cmd in list and select run as administrator
Copy and paste or type the following command
Sc start wuauserv - hit enter

[dmccoy]

It sounds like you need to start the update service as follows

Click on Start menu
Type in cmd
Right click on cmd in list and select run as administrator
Copy and paste or type the following command
Sc start wuauserv - hit enter

[Magnolia5777]

I followed instructions and got the following message:

 

StartService FAILED 1056:

An instance of the service is already running.

[dmccoy]

Okay, please perform the following steps

List of Windows Services
1. Click on Start menu
2. Type CMD
3. Right click on Command Prompt and select to Run As Administrator
4. Copy and Paste the following into Command Prompt
sc query state= all > %userprofile%\desktop\services.txt
5. Upload the file to your reply

[Magnolia5777]

 
Here is the text:

Attached Files

•  services.txt   65.13KB   305 downloads

Edited by Magnolia5777, 12 January 2018 - 07:09 PM.

[dmccoy]

Best Answer

Click on Start menu
Type in cmd
Right click on cmd in list and select run as administrator

1. Sc Stop wuauserv - hit enter

2. Rd /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution - hit enter

3. Restart computer and try updates again


If those steps do not work then try the following tool

http://download.micr...gnostic.diagcab

Edited by dmccoy, 12 January 2018 - 07:29 PM.

[Magnolia5777]

Thank you, DM McCoy!  Those steps worked and my computer is now updated.  I really appreciate your help and this forum.  Thank you again.

[dmccoy]

Good to hear. You’re welcome.