Windows update service not started

[Leesha]

Hi,
I have just reformatted my laptop. It is an ASUS and the factory loaded software is on it. Refomat went fine. This issue is that everytime I go to do the Windows update I get the message that "Windows cannot currently check for updates because the service is not started............" I'm logged in as the administrator, and the update settings are set appropriately. If I go to the microsoft site to download manually I get the same error. I've googled it for solutions but am hesitant to try anything that is not directly from here or microsoft since I don't have the antivirus installed etc. I've tried the microsoft "fixit" but that didn't help.

Thanks,
Leesha

[HansV]

Click the Start button.
Type defender in the Search box.
Click on Windows Defender in the list of results.
If you get a message that Windows Defender has been disabled, click the link to start using it.
Now try again.

[Leesha]

Hi Hans,

Did as you instructed. It wasn't turned on. Still having the same issue even with it turned on. Rebooted computer but still having the same issue.

Leesha

[HansV]

Another thing to try:
Click the Start button.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Right-click on Background Intelligent Transfer Service and select Properties from the context menu.
The Startup type should be set to 'Automatic (delayed startup)'.
If it is not running, click on Start.
Click OK.
Do the same for Windows Update lower down in the list of services.

[Leesha]

It was set to manual. I set to automatic, stopped and restarted and then rebooted but still get the same error.

[HansV]

Can you update Windows Defender now that the services are running?

[Leesha]

I was able to unpdate windows defender even before fixing the services. I'm am unable to get any windows updates, IE SP1 etc.

[Leesha]

I should say I can scan with windows defender. I don't see where to get an update specific to windows defender.

[Leesha]

just found where to check for updates and ran it but was told I can't get updates. Ran the "fix it" but it came back that they didn't detect any problems.

[HansV]

Next one (courtesy of Noel Paton):

Open Windows Update
Click on Change Settings
Select 'Never Update...'
Click OK
Exit Windows Update
Now open Windows update again
Click on Change Settings
Select 'Update automatically'
Click OK
Exit Windows Update
Open Windows Update, and do a manual Check for Updates.

[Leesha]

I did every step exactly as written and still it won't update. I even turned off the firewall. There is no antivirus running / installed so its not that either.

[HansV]

Wow...

Use Services.msc as described above to stop the Windows Update service temporarily.
Open Windows Explorer and locate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Delete all files and subfolders within this folder (you will probably have to give permission to do this).
Then use Services.msc to start the Windows Update service again.

[Leesha]

Didn't get a chance to try this but will do at some point. I was so desperate after two days of getting no work done that I just put in the backup imaged drive from 3 years ago (thank God hard drives are so inexpensive) so I could get something done!! This is so frustrating. One would think that the restore feature back to factory defaults should be fine. IT keeps saying they feel the HD is going and that is the cause but that seems like too easy of an answer.

Thanks for everything,
Leesha

[jaystarter]

How strange I have EXACTLY the same problem. But mine came when I've cloned a 160gbHDD with Windows 7 onto a large 1TB HDD. last week. I'm sure everything was OK for a couple of days (but cant be 100% on that)

I have gone through all the hoops as described by Hans to no avail. so will watch with interest if anything develops here. I'm on the verge of doing a fresh reinstall of windows.

[jaystarter]

Also I tried the cmd sfc/scannow and it said
"Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them"

[viking33]

Also I tried the cmd sfc/scannow and it said
"Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them"

Doesn't an answer like that just get you boiling?
How about a clue as to WHAT files were found corrupt? Sounds like a "cop out" response to me. Or some IT guy spouting off some techno-babel that just reveals he doesn't know what the problem is, so there!

[JoeP]

It does seem like a copout but you need to review the log file located at "C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log" to find out the real problem. As with much in Windows and other software these days the real problem may be hidden somewhere else in the log. The cbs.log is usually very large. NOTE: I very much dislike looking at this log file.

Joe