Windows Update Cannot Currently Check for Updates - Try These Solutions

What Does "Windows Update Cannot Currently Check for Updates" Mean

When you encounter the Windows update cannot currently check for updates issue, your computer can't check for updates right now. This is because the computers presently available to Microsoft Windows customers do not include enough processing power to check for new updates (or any updates at all). As a result, the Windows Update service is not working/running, or the temporary update folder in Windows is damaged.

But you'll get updates eventually after reading this article.

Solutions to the "Windows Update Cannot Check for Updates" Issue

Several PC users complained on online forums about an error saying that 'Windows update cannot currently check for updates since the service is not running.' As a result, when they wish to upgrade the operating system, they could be required to restart the computer.

Now we'll show you how to tackle the problem. You can try the solutions listed below.

1. Fix 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
2. Fix 2. Reset/Change Windows Update Settings
3. Fix 3. Remove the Windows Update History
4. Fix 4. Reset Windows Update Repository
5. Fix 5. Register Windows Update Service
6. Fix 6. Delete or Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder
7. Fix 7. Update RST Driver
8. Fix 8. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software or Firewall

Fix 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

We will use Windows Update Troubleshooter in this method; Microsoft has a utility called "Fix problem with Windows Update".

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Open settings and click "Update & security".

Step 2. Click "Troubleshoot" from the left menu and click "Additional troubleshooters".

Step 3. Under "Get up and running", click "Windows Update", and then click "Run the troubleshooter".

After troubleshooting, you must restart your PC/Laptop and check for new updates. Go to the "Windows update > Check for updates" and install available updates.

Fix 2. Reset/Change Windows Update Settings

Windows 10 gives options for when and how to update Windows. However, if you already have the Windows Update Settings configured to "Install updates automatically," the problem "Windows update cannot currently check for updates" may occur. Changing this setting could resolve this issue.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Open settings, click "Update & security", and you'll be redirected to "Windows update".

Step 2. Choose "Pause updates for 7 days" or click "Advanced options" for further settings.

Step 3. Click "Select date" from the "Pause updates" section and specify a date from the drop-down menu.

Note: After the pause limit is crossed, you should install new updates before pausing updates again. If updates are installed successfully, you need to restart your computer.

Fix 3. Remove the Windows Update History

Corrupted Windows Update history files could also cause this issue. You can remove your Windows Update history to see if it would restore Windows Update functionality.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Type "Services" in the search menu from the taskbar, and press "Enter" to open it.

Step 2. Scroll down the services list and locate the "Windows update".

Step 3. Double-click "Windows update". Under "Running", click "Stop".

Step 4. Click "OK".

Step 5. Open "File explorer", click "This PC", and open "Local Disk (C)".

Step 6. Open the "Windows" folder.

Step 7. Scroll down and find the folder "SoftwareDistribution" and open it.

Step 8. Open the folder "DataStore".

Step 9. Now delete the folder "Logs" and the file "DataStore.edb". Delete both and restart your PC/Laptop.

Fix 4. Reset Windows Update Repository

Windows Update being temporarily unable to check for updates could also cause this issue.

You can remove your Windows Update settings to see whether it would restore the Windows Update service.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Search "Command Prompt" in the Windows search bar and open it.

Step 2. Write the following commands and press Enter after writing each one.

• (net stop bits)
• (net stop wuauserv)

Step 3. Go to Local Disk (C) > Windows folder and find "SoftwareDistribution.

Step 4. Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder and replace it with SoftwareDistribution.old.

Step 5. Go again to the Command Prompt window and type the commands.

• (net start bits)
• (net start wuauserv)

Step 6. Restart your computer/laptop.

Fix 5. Register Windows Update Service

You could encounter the error if any of the.dll files involved with the Windows Update service are not correctly registered. As a result, Windows Update is temporarily unable to check for updates. You can try registering for Windows Update to fix the problem.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Type "Services" in the search menu from the taskbar, and press "Enter" to open it.

Step 2. Scroll down the services list and locate the "Windows update".

Step 3. Double-click "Windows update". Under "Running", click "Stop".

Step 4. Type "cmd" in the search menu from the taskbar, right-click on it and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 5. In the "Command Prompt", type the below commands one by one, and press Enter button from your keyboard after putting in each command.

• regsvr32 wuapi.dll
• regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
• regsvr32 wups.dll
• regsvr32 wups2.dll
• regsvr32 wuwebv.dll
• regsvr32 wucltux.dll

Step 6. Close the command prompt window.

Step 7. Type "Services" in the search menu from the taskbar, and press "Enter" to open it.

Step 8. Scroll down the services list and locate the "Windows update".

Step 9. Right-click "Windows update". From the drop-down menu, click "Start".

Fix 6. Delete or Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

"Windows update cannot currently check for updates" may be caused by a corrupt SoftwareDistribution folder. Therefore, it would be best if you rename or delete it so that Windows may create a new SoftwareDistribution folder and reinstall Windows Update.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Go to Local Disk (C) > Windows folder.

Step 2.  Find the "SoftwareDistribution" folder. Right-click on "SoftwareDristribution"; now you can delete or rename it.

Fix 7. Update RST Driver

An older RST driver may cause the failure of Windows Update to check for updates. Try to upgrade the outdated or damaged drivers.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Visit the manufacturer's website and download the RST driver. In my case, I'm using a dell laptop (Latitude 3460).

Step 2. Write your device model number in the search bar.

Step 3. Download drivers and install them in your system. After completing the installation restart your PC/Laptop.

Fix 8. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software or Firewall

To resolve the problem, Windows Update cannot check for updates; you can temporarily stop third-party antivirus software or the Firewall. However, it could prevent some programs from working correctly.

As a solution, you can temporarily disable them and check for updates. When the Windows update error has been resolved, you must re-enable your antivirus and Firewall to keep your system secure.

The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. In the Taskbar search box, search for "Virus & threat protection" and open it.

Step 2. Click "Manage settings".

Step 3. Under "Real-time protection", click the toggle button to turn off temporarily Windows defender.

Step 4. Click "Yes" to confirm.

Note: After resolving your issue regarding Windows Update, you need to turn back on Windows Defender Antivirus by performing the same discussed steps.

Additional Guide: How to Protect your Windows PC Safe

After you have solved the Windows update cannot currently check for update errors, you'd better create a system image to keep your computer safe. Therefore, when you reencounter this issue or some other problem, you can use the system image to restore your computer to a normal state. EaseUS Todo Backup is a simple PC/laptop backup application that keeps your system and data from loss and can recover everything quickly when tragedies strike.

EaseUS Todo Backup Home is a professional and all-in-one backup and recovery software. It allows you to create a system, file, and disk backup automatically. With it, you can create an iso image from a hard drive or clone a hard drive. It also enables you to make different backup modes, including full, incremental and differential backups. Besides, it lets you back up PC game saves. Most importantly, it provides 1250G free cloud storage and Security Zone to protect your data.

The following are the detailed steps to back up your Windows computer.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen and then hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to begin the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system related files and partitions will be automatically selected so you don't need to do any manual selection at this step. Next, you'll need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking the illustrated area.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud or NAS. Generally, we recommend you use an external physical drive or cloud to preserve the system backup files. 

Step 5. Customiztion settings like enabling an automatic backup schedule in daily, weekly, monthly, or upon an event, and making a differential and incremental backup are available in the Options button if you're interested. Click "Backup Now", and the Windows system backup process will begin. The completed backup task will display on the left side in a card style.

The Bottom Line

This article analyses all possible systematic errors that may prevent optimum service running during a Windows Update.

As we all know, Windows Updates fix security flaws, which is the most dangerous and likely vulnerability that malware or a hacker may exploit. Consequently, this article presents a suitable step-by-step way to prevent the "Windows update cannot currently check for updates" problem, which may play an essential part in preventing any faults that malevolent persons may exploit.

FAQs

1. Why my Windows 10 is not updating?

If it isn't already turned on, enable the Windows Update service. This is required for updates to operating. Therefore, Windows 10 will not update without it. Here's how it's done: In the Start menu, search for and open services, then choose Windows Update from the list, set the "Startup type" to Automatic, Hit Start, and then click OK.

2. Can I update Windows 10 offline?

Yes! You can update to Windows 10 directly from the downloaded Windows 10 offline installation directory. Windows 10 offline update demands the installation of the entire system and drivers from a total update patch, which means you'll be less likely to encounter update issues during or after the Windows 10 update.

3. How do I force Windows 10 to check for updates?

To run the update immediately, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates. Install any updates which are provided.

Or to force updates in the command prompt, type "wuauclt.exe / updatenow" but do not hit enter.