Windows 7 Windows Update Checks for Updates Forever (Slow / Unable to Complete / Not Progress / Stuck / Hang)
After running and checking for new updates and hotfixes with Windows Update in Windows 7, the searching process appears to take a very long time, completely stop, not progressing and stuck at “Checking for updates” indefinitely. The problem of Windows Update checks for update forever, do not progress or the progress bar and percentage not moving and never completes normally happens after fresh installing Windows 7 or after booting up a new PC bundled with Windows 7.
To make matter worse, Windows Update will permanently display status of checking for updates, even if you leave the computer running and wait for hours, days, overnights or even weeks.
The same issue may also happens in Windows Server 2008 R2.
In addition, the checking for updates unable to complete issue cannot be resolved by usual troubleshooting methods, including:
Microsoft Fix-It automatic troubleshooting tool for Windows Update.
Reset Windows Update.
Restore to previous System Restore point.
Reinstall Windows for fresh start.
In any cases, checking for updates in Windows Update shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. If you’re facing the issue where Windows Update stuck or stopped at “Checking for updates” status for a very long time, and appears to be not progressing, follow the guide below for the solution to fix the issue. Essentially, Windows 7 is pretty old operating systems and Windows Update may rely and require newer components to run properly. Thus, the fix is by manually installing one or several hotfixes that required for Windows Update to work properly.
Resolution
In Windows Update, change settings to select Never check for updates (not recommended) for Important updates.
Restart the computer.
Download one or more of the following updates:
KB3138612 – Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (March 2016)
Download KB3138612 from Microsoft Download Center:
KB3138612 supersedes older versions of hotfixes that may be offered as solution too, namely KB3112343 (December 2015 version) which in turn supersedes KB3102810. You may want to install these two updates too if the problem persists.
KB3020369 – April 2015 servicing stack update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Note
KB3020369 is required by KB3172605, which may fix the WU issues. If KB3020369 is not installed, you may encountered “the update is not applicable to your computer” error message when attempting to install KB3172605.
Download KB3020369 from Microsoft Download Center:
KB3172605 requires prerequisite KB3020369 – April 2015 servicing stack update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, listed above.
When installing the updates, if you’re encountering the error where the installing progress of Windows Update Standalone Installer stuck at “searching for updates”, try to disconnect from Internet (disable WiFi or unplug the network cable) before installing the updates.
Restart the computer.
Reconnect to Internet if applicable.
Turn on Automatic Updates, and check for updates.
Voila, now hundreds of updates should be offered in Windows Update to update for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 after only a few minutes.
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
