Windows 10 Stuck on “Checking for Updates”

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[L95]

I have Windows 10 Pro and I use the “Pause Updates” method for deferring updates.  It has always worked well for me,  except this month when I tried to remove the pause to allow updates to install, I wasn’t able to do it because the “Resume Updates” button has disappeared. Not only that, but Windows Updates is “checking for updates” even though I haven’t removed the pause yet, and it’s stuck there (it’s been stuck on “checking for updates” for more than a day).  I posted a question on the askwoody.com forum for the August 2024 updates (see Posting https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/ms-defcon-3-blocking-a-potential-wormable-event/#post-2699245 ) , and various people responded with suggestions such as restarting the computer, but the updates are still stuck.  PKCano suggested I create a new topic,  so that’s what I’m doing here.   I found a couple of possible solutions by doing a Google Search on my own, as follows:

(1) Article titled “Steps to fix Windows 10 install stuck at checking for updates issue”  at  https://www.easeus.com/computer-instruction/windows-10-update-stuck-checking-for-updates.html

and (2)  a Microsoft forum topic titled “Windows 10 upgrade stuck at checking for updates screen”  at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-upgrade-stuck-at-checking-for-updates/b105e500-d2c9-4c28-81ba-8f4484101705

Both of those articles look very similar.  Do you think I should try one of them, and if so,  which one?  Or if you have a better solution,  please let me know.

 

 

• This topic was modified 9 months ago by L95.
• This topic was modified 9 months ago by L95.

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L95 wrote:

Both of those articles look very similar.  Do you think I should try one of them, and if so,  which one?

You can try either one.

Solutions are the same : stop update service, clear download folders, start update service. restart.

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L95

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Alex5723 wrote:

You can try either one. Solutions are the same : stop update service, clear download folders, start update service. restart.

TechTango and/or Alex 5723:  It looks like I wasn’t able to use either method,  because when I type net stop wuauserv into the command prompt window,  it replies “The Windows Update Service is not started.”  This is despite the fact that Windows Update is still checking for updates.  Do you have any other suggestions?  Otherwise it appears I’ll need to move on to PKCano’s recommendation,  but it may take me a while because it looks pretty complicated.

 

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L95 wrote:

Do you think I should try one of them, and if so,  which one?

For me, hands down my vote is #1 from easeus.com.   Suggest creating a fresh restore point first.

Desktop mobo Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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L95

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I would start by using Windows own built-in Troubleshooters:

Start > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters > Windows Update

Follow the instructions and restart your device at the end of the process.

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L95

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Magnus:  Thanks.  I tried running the troubleshooter, and it replied “Troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem”.

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Drat.  Ah, well – it was worth a try.  I defer to PKCano’s solutions.

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I would suggest two methods. Both require the use of an elevated (run as Administrator) Command Prompt.
####First, to be sure there is no system file corruption:
In the taskbar search box type cmd.exe
In the search results, right click on cmd.exe and choose “Run as Administrator”
Copy and paste “chkdsk /f” (no quotes) into the Command Prompt and hit Enter.
It will ask you to reboot, say “yes”
chkdsk will run on startup. Note any errors.
Log back in and run an elevated Command Prompt.
Copy and paste each of the following lines into the Command Prompt one at a time and hit Enter (you need to be connected to the Internet). Let each run – it may take a while. Note any errors.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

####Restart the computer.
If Windows Update is still stuck on scanning for updates, do the following:

****This will clear the datastore:
In the taskbar search box type cmd.exe
In the search results, right click on cmd.exe and choose “Run as Administrator”
Copy and paste each of the following lines into the Command Prompt one at a time and hit Enter after each one.

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.240830
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Restart the computer.
Is Windows Update still stuck on searching for updates? Is “Resume Updates” or “Search for updates” available as an option?
****

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L95

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L95 wrote:

It looks like I wasn’t able to use either method, because when I type net stop wuauserv into the command prompt window, it replies “The Windows Update Service is not started.” This is despite the fact that Windows Update is still checking for updates.

If you get that, just keep going with the last set of commands above. You will start/restart the update service after renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder.

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PKCano wrote:

If you get that, just keep going with the last set of commands above.

PK:  Thank you for your response.  I stopped after the third item in the list because I kept getting responses that said “System Error 5 has occurred.  Access is denied”.  This occurred after I entered net stop cryptSvc and also after I entered net stop bits.  I wasn’t sure whether you want me to continue entering all the rest of the items on the list even though I keep getting this “Access is denied” message.  Do you want me to continue entering the rest of the items on the list despite the “Access is denied” message?

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I’m not PK, but I believe I can help for now. To run those commands, you need to run them as an Administrator, not as a regular user. Per PK’s direction in post 2699671 above,

PKCano wrote:

In the taskbar search box type cmd.exe In the search results, right click on cmd.exe and choose “Run as Administrator” Copy and paste each of the following lines into the Command Prompt one at a time and hit Enter

Right below that, the nine commands are shown in a box by themselves.

I hope this helps.

Post back here if you keep getting the errors saying “Access is denied”, especially if you’re getting them trying to run them as an Administrator.

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L95

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Bob99 wrote:

To run those commands, you need to run them as an Administrator, not as a regular user.

Bob99:  Thanks for your response.  That step  involving “run as administrator” has confused me a lot lately.  and so it’s possible I got confused again this time.  PK’s instructions had said “in the search results, right click on cmd.exe and choose ‘Run as Administrator'”.  However in the search
results there is a list of 10 different items,  and all of them start with “cmd.exe”.  I’ve attached a screenshot Screenshot-Aug-29-2024   to show you what I mean. When I right-click on any of those items,  nothing happens.  However if you look at the screenshot,  over to the right of that list is something that says “Run as Administrator”,  and you need to LEFT-Click on that (not RIGHT-click),  and then there’s another step after that which is you need to agree to permission offered by the User Account Control,  which isn’t mentioned in PK’s instructions.  I thought I had done those things this time around,  but it’s possible I glossed over them in view of the fact my account is set up as an administrator anyway.  Does a person need to go through those steps even though their account is set up as an administrator?

Anyway,  I think it’s working now, and so I’ll try to go through PK’s list of instructions again.

 

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Rather than searching for CMD, try this.
Win R  cmd  Ctrl Shift Enter
Windows will ask you to confirm that Command can make changes (UAC).

cheers, Paul

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L95

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The fact that your ID is an Admin does not give you permission.

It’s not “start with” in the search results. The one you right click on is only cmd.exe then in the menu choose “Run as Administrator.” You have to say “YES” to the UAC popup to give it permission.

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L95

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PK:  OK, thanks.  Sorry for my mistake.

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[L95]

PKCano wrote:

If you get that, just keep going with the last set of commands above. You will start/restart the update service after renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder.

PK:  Thanks for your response.  I think I might have run into a problem on the step for renaming the distribution folder.  It responded by saying “A duplicate file name exists or the file cannot be found”.  I did an electronic search of my C-Drive and  I do find a number of folders with the name SoftwareDistribution.2408 as part of the name.  I’ve attached a screenshot to show you Screenshot-Aug-29-2024-2.    Please advise me on what I should do next.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by L95.

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Please don’t put screenshots in documents and then post them, save the shot as a PNG and then attach the PNG. This means we don’t have to download a DOC, open it and then clean up afterwards.

cheers, Paul

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L95

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Rename the folder to something else, e.g.

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.2408x

To see if the folder still exists / has been renamed, type this in your admin Command Prompt:
dir C:\Windows\SoftwareDis*

cheers, Paul

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L95

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Paul T:  Thanks.  When I tried renaming it to something else,  it replied it “is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file”.  When I checked to see if the folder still exists,  it gave me results as shown in the following PNG picture:  .   Please advise me on what to do next.

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Paul T:   Thanks also for the above suggestion about using PNG instead.  I didn’t know it was better to do it as a PNG,  because the askwoody.com submission form just says “your account has the ability to upload any attachment regardless of size and type”.  I’ll try to remember in the future to do it as a PNG.  But anyway, I used a PNG in my response above to show you what happened when I tried to rename the file as something else as you suggested,  and I will appreciate it if you or anyone else could advise me on what to do next.

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I have edited the original folder name I used
Note what I posted in #2700397.
Use the whole list of commands about cleaning the datastore in #2699671.

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L95

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PKCano wrote:

Use the whole list of commands about cleaning the datastore in #2699671.

PK:  Thanks.  I don’t understand what you mean by “use the whole list of commands about cleaning the datastore in #2699671”.   For example,  where does the whole list of commands start and where does it end?   And are you saying that I should plow on with the rest of the commands even though it gave me a message saying “A duplicate file name exists or the file cannot be found”?  Also, I’m in the process of trying out Paul T’s suggestion, and so I’m not sure where your suggestion fits in with his suggestion.  Sorry about my ignorance,  but I would like further details so I can understand what you mean.

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Follow ALL the instructions between
****
and
****

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L95

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PK:  OK, thanks very much.  I see two ways of doing that:  (1) Continue on where I left off,  which was to enter Paul T’s suggestion of renaming the folder to something else, where it replied it “is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file”, or (2)  close out entirely from the command prompt and start a whole new command prompt.  Which one do you recommend?  And in either case,  do I need to do anything to reverse what happened when I typed in and entered Paul T’s suggestion?

Thanks again,  and I will appreciate your further response.

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Follow ALL the instructions between
****
and
****

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PK is suggesting starting again from scratch.

Note: to enter the commands listed in grey, highlight the entire line with the mouse and then right click on the highlighted command and select Copy.
Switch to the Command Prompt and paste the command (right click on the title bar, Edit > Paste).

Note 2: to take a screenshot of only the Command Prompt window, use “Snip & Sketch” tool , click “New” and select the “Window Snip” option.

cheers, Paul

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L95

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Paul T wrote:

PK is suggesting starting again from scratch.

Because we don’t know what was really done.

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L95

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PK:  Thanks for your response.  I closed out of the command prompt window and started fresh with a new command prompt and then followed all the instructions between **** and  ****,  as you recommended.  Then I restarted the computer,  and here are my answers to your questions:

(1) Is Windows Update still stuck on searching for updates?   Yes, it’s been stuck for almost an hour since I restarted the computer.

(2) Is “Resume Updates” available as an option?   No.

(3) Is  “Search for updates” available as an option?  Not as far as I can tell.  Here is a picture,  and I don’t see anything there that says “Search for updates”.  You can see at the top it says “Checking for updates”,  but that just means that a search for updates has already started.  

I hope that answers your questions.  Please advise me on what I should try next.

 

 

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OK, before I recommend a Repair Install, there are some questions you need to answer:

1.Have you ever in the past used a third-party app (WUMgr, WAU Manager, or other) to control Windows Update?

2.Have you ever used Group Policy (gpedit.msc)?

3.In Settings App\Network & Internet\Status\Properties is Metered Connections ON or OFF?

4.In Settings App in Windows Update\Delivery Optimization\Advanced Options (link at bottom) – is Absolute bandwidth selected?

5.When you ran the DISM and sfc commands (see #2699671) it says in the instructions to “Note any errors.” Were there any errors? If there were, and you didn’t make note of them, please rerun the instructions from #### to #### and report any findings. Be sure to use an Elevated Command Prompt run as Administrator.

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L95

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I fear we’re getting close to a Repair Install.  However, before we do, I’ve finally found the solution that helped me out with a similar problem some months/years back:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/24742-reset-windows-update-windows-10-a.html

It’s perfectly legit, written by a chap named Shawn Brink, a well-known Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional).  In fact, it is very similar (but not quite the same) as the solution offered by PKCano – all wrapped up in a single file to simply download and run.

So simply follow the instructions on the above page.  The good news is, you are unlikely to have to unblock the file (Step 3) but if you do have to, just follow the instructions for Step 3.  Remember to open the .BAT file as an Administrator (Right Click > Run as Administrator).

Once you have restarted your device, leave it for a good hour or so for Windows Update to ‘settle down’ (non-technical term…).

Fingers (and everything else) crossed…

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L95, PKCano

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A bit more in depth. I just went after the Datastore.

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L95

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PK and Magnus:  Thank you for your responses.  I have a few questions:

1.  I’m tempted to just try a simpler solution,  which is to shut down the computer (by clicking “shut down” rather than “restart”),  and then unplug the computer from the wall socket for a few minutes,  and then plug it back in and start the computer.   That has often worked for me in the past when my computer is behaving strangely.  Would there be any harm if I try that first?  And if so,  what would the harm be?

2.  Another possibility might be to wait until the “Pause Updates” expires on September 5th .  I’m speculating that maybe once the “Pause Updates” expires that the problem might correct itself.

3.  Why are my Windows Defender updates working perfectly fine?  Windows Defender has been updating itself a number of times this week.  The most recent one was yesterday.

Thanks again,  and I will appreciate any thoughts you may have on the questions above.

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L95 wrote:

1. I’m tempted to just try a simpler solution, which is to shut down the computer (by clicking “shut down” rather than “restart”), and then unplug the computer from the wall socket for a few minutes, and then plug it back in and start the computer. That has often worked for me in the past when my computer is behaving strangely.

That probably won’t make any difference.

L95 wrote:

2. Another possibility might be to wait until the “Pause Updates” expires on September 5th . I’m speculating that maybe once the “Pause Updates” expires that the problem might correct itself.

The wait is up to you. You will still have time to fix things before Patch Tues. on Sept. 10. But you have already effectively already turned the computer off and back on with the restart.

L95 wrote:

3. Why are my Windows Defender updates working perfectly fine? Windows Defender has been updating itself a number of times this week. The most recent one was yesterday.

Defender definition updates can use another download/update process when Windows Update is paused.

If you decide to wait, let us know. But if you answer the last questions now, it will give us something to go on if your delay doesn’t work and you have to come back for help.

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L95

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PKCano wrote:

That probably won’t make any difference.

PK:  Thanks for your response.  I decided to go ahead and try the “unplug from wall socket” technique because you didn’t indicate it would cause any harm to try it.  And it looks like the technique solved the problem.  Once I restarted the computer,  the “Resume Updates” button re-appeared,  and when I clicked on “Resume Updates”,  the updates for August downloaded and installed successfully.  They’re shown as the first three line items in the picture below.  Before accomplishing the technique,  I first made sure to save my files and do a backup, so as to prevent losing any data.  The shut-down technique was a little tricky because when I  clicked on “Shut Down”,  it would shut down only momentarily and then immediately restart again,  without giving me a chance to unplug from the wall socket.  So I read an article about this,  and the article recommended to disable the “Fast Startup” feature of Windows 10 by going into “Power Options” and removing the check-mark that is beside the setting called “Turn on Fast Startup”.  However,  in my case,  there was no check-mark in that box because I had removed the check-mark several months ago because I preferred not to use this feature.  Can you explain why it was still doing a fast startup even though there was no check-mark in that box?  Anyway,  the way I overcame this was after clicking “Shut Down”,  a message appears that says “Task Host Window is stopping background tasks”,   but then below that there’s a button that says “Shut down anyway”.   So I clicked on “Shut down anyway”,  and this time it actually shut down permanently without doing a restart.  After that, I unplugged the computer from the wall socket and let it sit that way for 15 minutes,  and then plugged it back in and restarted the computer.  And once it restarted,  the “Resume Updates” became available to me,  and then I clicked on “Resume Updates”  and it successfully installed the August Windows Updates as shown in the picture below.   Thanks very much to everyone who provided advice in this forum topic,  but it looks like this simpler technique worked,  and I would appreciate any further comments if anyone thinks it may have been wrong or harmful to fix the problem this way. 

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If it worked for you – well, it worked.
If it happens again next Patch Tuesday, then maybe there is something else causing it.
Glad you got it fixed.

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L95

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There’s a lot to be said for the ‘switch it off and on again’ technique.

Personally, I always Shut Down (i.e. not Sleep nor Hibernate) my devices every evening.  Since it arrived on Windows 10, Fast Start Up is switched OFF – always.  This ensures, among other things, that the device’s memory is completely cleaned down.

Also, for laptops, I switch the mains power off at the wall socket; there is no need to keep the battery charging/charged overnight – unless, perhaps, you know you are going to need battery power the next morning.

Anyhow, glad the problem is solved.  Phew.

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L95

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