Windows Update is a vital tool for keeping your PC up to date with the latest security patches and software updates. If the update service isn’t running, you may experience errors when attempting to search for updates. Here we discuss what to do when this occurs.
Windows Update Service Not Running
Windows Update requires the Windows Update service to be running in order to search for updates. If the service isn’t running, you will experience errors when attempting to search for updates. To check if the Windows Update service is running, open the Run dialog box (Windows+R) and type "services.msc". This will bring up the Services window. Scroll down to the Windows Update service and check its status. If the service is not running, right click it and select "Start".
Troubleshooting Update Search Issues
If the Windows Update service is running but you are still experiencing errors when searching for updates, there are a few things you can try. First, try restarting your computer and then attempting to search for updates again. If that doesn’t work, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. To do this, open the Settings window (Windows+I) and select "Update & Security". Click on "Troubleshoot" and then select "Windows Update". Run the troubleshooter and follow any instructions it gives you.
If the troubleshooter doesn’t work, you may need to reset the Windows Update components. To do this, open an elevated command prompt (right click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin)) and run the following commands:
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvcOnce you have run the commands, try searching for updates again.
If the Windows Update service isn’t running, or if you are still experiencing errors when searching for updates, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try. Restarting your computer, running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and resetting the Windows Update components are all possible solutions.
Recent Microsoft Windows users have reported receiving an error message when attempting to update the Windows operating system. The error message states, “Windows Update can currently not be searched for updates, as the service is not running.”
Many users have reported experiencing the same problem and have pointed to the same error causing the inability to update Windows. This error is typically caused by changes that have been made to the Windows Update service, as well as damaged or corrupt system files, or outdated drivers.
Fortunately, there are steps users can take to rectify the issue and restore the ability to update Windows. First, the Windows Update service is often the issue behind the error and can be resolved by running the services troubleshooter, found in the Windows Update menu. If the issue persists, users can go into the task manager and make sure the Windows Update service is running. They can also run a “System File Checker”, a command-line utility which scans the user’s computer system files for missing or corrupted files and, if necessary, repairs them.
If these steps fail to fix the problem, there is a good chance that outdated device drivers may be causing the issue. To check for outdated drivers, users can go to the “Device Manager” and look for any drivers that are out of date. If any are found, they can be updated by downloading the necessary driver updates from the device’s manufacturer website.
In some cases, the Windows Update error can also be caused by malware or virus interference. To check for malicious software, users can use their computer’s “Security Scanner”. If any malicious software is found, it can be removed with the computer’s anti-malware utility. These steps can help users restore the ability to update Windows.
Overall, the error message “Windows Update can currently not be searched for updates, as the service is not running” is a common complaint among Microsoft Windows users and can be caused by changes to the Windows Update service, corrupt system files, outdated drivers, malware, or viruses. Fortunately, the issue can be resolved quickly by following the steps outlined in this article.