100% Solved:Windows Update Stuck

In this post, we will see how to solve the problem of

Windows update getting stuck on checking for updates step

This problem of windows updates hanging on checking for update stage can happen due to many reasons so we have come up with the best four methods to solve it.

• Method 1: Run Windows Update for 1 hr
• Method 2.1: Update Windows Update Agent
• Method 2.2: Fix Slow Update Agent
• Method 3: Automated Diagnostic Tool
• Method 4: Offline Windows Update Tool

Before starting this tutorial I would like to state couple of assumptions we are undertaking:-

1. You have a genuine activated copy of windows
2. You are using either windows 7 SP 1 or windows 8.1 or windows 10  for other OS this tutorial might work but we cannot guarantee that.
3. You are internet connection is working properly
4. You have got admin rights to the system which you want to troubleshoot

Now let’s dive into method 1

#1: Run Windows Update for 1 hr (Windows 10/8.1 /7 SP 1)

With growing volume of windows updates packages, the process of selecting the suitable package for your system can be very time-consuming for the windows update agent. In fact, several people have reported that “Checking for updates” step toke them about an hour after which windows update started working properly and detected the packages required for your system. So if you have not left the computer on “Checking for updates” stage for an hour I would suggest you try it out.

Disable Sleep from Power Setting

This will prevent the update from getting interrupted in between so we open the power options and make the necessary changes so that your system doesn’t go to sleep

In Windows 7

1. Click on start
2. Type power options
3. Click on power options

In Windows 8.1

1. From the start screen
2. Type power in the search panel
3. Then select power options

In Windows 10

1. Right-click on the start button
2. Select power options

Depending upon the plan you have chosen either balanced or high-performance or power saver will be checked whichever plan yours is showing selected

1. Click on the change plan setting for the same
2. In “put the computer to sleep” option
3. Set it to never
4. Click on save changes

Also, if you are using a laptop or any battery-powered device make sure when you are putting your computer to update it’s connected to the power supply

Flush DNS

To make sure that DNS resolution happens properly we will flush the DNS settings. First, we will open a command prompt in admin mode.

In Windows 7

1. Click on start
2. Type CMD
3. Right click it and select run as admin
4. Click on yes if the UAC pops up

In Windows 8

1. From the start screen type CMD
2. Right click Command Prompt
3. Select run as admin
4. If a UAC pops up click on yes

In Windows 10

1. Right-click on the start button
2. Select command prompt admin

Keep the admin CMD open as it will be used in this method also.

In the command prompt type

1. ipconfig /flushdns
2. and hit enter

Now again start the windows update and leave it for an hour. If this method didn’t work try method 2

# 2.1: Update Windows Update Agent (Windows 8.1/7 SP 1)

Recently windows have released an update for its windows update agent which have a couple of bug fixes. The download links for the same are given below

• Windows 8.1
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/kb/3138615
• Windows 7 SP 1
  • https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3138612

You’ll see a MSU file in your downloads folder when it’s completed. Before you run this MSU you must make sure that the Windows update agent is not running otherwise it would not allow you to install this update.

Disable Windows Update Agent Before Installation

1. Using the admin CMD prompt
2. Type net stop wuauserv
3. And hit enter

After installing and restarting the system if you are using windows 7 install the below-mentioned patch .For windows 8.1 users again try to update windows make sure you leave it running for sufficient amount of time If still windows update keeps showing “checking for updates” message then let step to method 3.

#2.2: Fix for Slow Update Agent (Windows 7 SP 1)

Microsoft has released a fix to solve the slow update client problem.The download links for the same are given below

• Windows 7 SP 1
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810

You’ll see a MSU file in your downloads folder when it’s completed. Before you run this MSU you must make sure that the Windows update agent is not running otherwise it would not allow you to install this update. Use the above-mentioned steps to disable windows update agent.

After installing and restarting the system again try to update windows make sure you leave it running for sufficient amount of time If still windows update keeps showing “checking for updates” message then let step to method 3.

#3: Windows Update Troubleshooter & Update Errors (Windows 10/8.1 /7 SP 1)

Microsoft provides automated diagnostic tools for fixing common errors in the windows update agent the download it using the  below link :-

• Windows 7 SP 1/8.1
  • Download Windows Update Troubleshooter 
• Windows 10
  • Download Windows Update Troubleshooter 

After running the diagnostic tool restart the system and again try to update windows.

If you are seeing a specific update error Microsoft has built a knowledge base providing step by step instruction for solving them check the link below :-

Get Help on Specific Update Error Code

If none of the above methods worked keep faith method 4 will definitely work

#4: Offline Windows Update Tool (Windows 10/8.1 /7 SP 1)

Using this tools we can create a repository of windows update files which then we can transfer to any storage medium like pen drive, external hard disk etc. And use it for updating windows machine that has no internet connection. But the main reason we would be using this tool is it does not rely on the Microsoft Windows update client for downloading and installing updates so even if your update agent is broken it can install the required updates and fix the update client eventually.

Download the offline update tool from

http://download.wsusoffline.net/

1. After extracting the zip file
2. Open wususoffline folder
3. Click on updategenerator.exe
4. Check your os version and architecture
5. Check Windows defender definitions
6. Rest you can keep it at default settings
7. Click on start

After the download finishes

1. Open the clients folder
2. Click on updateinstaller.exe
3. Check the automatic reboot and recall
4. This will automatically install all your downloaded update on your system
5. Click on start

I hope this post helped you if so please share this website with your friends, allow me friends thanks for reading see you later bye.