[Fix] Windows 7 Keeps Checking for Updates for Hours

Today in this tutorial, we are going to address one of the most annoying and strange problems present in Windows 7 operating system. This problem is related to built-in Windows Update program which regularly checks for new updates at Microsoft servers and downloads and installs them in Windows OS to keep your computer safe and faster.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:

Several Windows 7 users have reported that when they try to check for new updates using Windows Update, it keeps checking for updates for hours. The progress bar keeps showing progress animation which makes you think that Windows Update is doing something but even after waiting for hours, nothing happens, it just keeps checking for updates forever. Windows Update just gets stuck at “Checking for updates” screen and Windows 7 doesn’t download and install any update.

Windows_7_Checking_For_Updates_Problem.png

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It also affects overall system performance and if you check Task Manager, the Svchost.exe process occupies high CPU resources and memory usage. Most of the times this issue occurs after a fresh/clean installation of Windows 7.

Many users have reported that they even waited for more than 24 hours but Windows Update just stuck at “Checking for updates” status and they couldn’t install any update in their computers.

PROBLEM REASON:

The reason behind this irritating problem is a little bit funny! Actually Microsoft has released a few updates for the Windows Update client program. These updates upgrade the client program version and improve its functionality. It seems Microsoft has changed the way Windows Update client downloads and installs updates from Microsoft servers and only the new updated client is able to download updates from the servers, that’s why the older versions of Windows Update client are unable to download updates from Microsoft servers.

If the new updates which upgrade Windows Update client version, are not installed in a Windows 7 machine, it starts giving this annoying issue and the Windows Update program hangs at “Checking for updates” screen and never downloads updates from Microsoft servers.

Also there are some updates which require SHA-2 (Secure Hash Algorithm-2) code signing or signatures support for better encryption in Windows 7 and we need to manually add the support by installing required updates in Windows 7.

PROBLEM SOLUTIONS:

There are a few working solutions to fix this slow scanning problem. We are providing all these solutions below. You can follow these solutions one by one until your problem gets resolved:

UPDATE: Before going through all the given solutions, also check following important articles:

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[Important Fix] Windows 7 With No (or Incompatible) Antivirus Not Receiving New Updates

[Fix] Windows Updates Fail to Install With Error Code 0x8000FFFF in Windows 7

SOLUTION 1: Install Required Updates for Windows Update Client Manually

This is the best and easiest solution to fix this problem! You just need to install the required updates manually which upgrade the Windows Update client program and once you install these updates, Windows Update will be able to download and install updates from Microsoft servers without any problem.

Thanks to our readers Dan, David, Bill, TrollBytes and Steve for sharing the required updates list and providing their valuable inputs.

You need to download and install following updates manually:

These updates will upgrade the Windows Update client and will make some improvements to the client program. These updates are available for both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) editions of Windows 7 operating system. You can know which edition of Windows 7 are you using with the help of System Properties window in Control Panel.

For your convenience, we are providing direct download links of these updates. You can download the updates quickly and easily from following links:

For Windows 7 64-bit (x64) edition:

For Windows 7 32-bit (x86) edition:

After installing these updates, restart your computer and then check for new updates using Windows Update. It may take 20-30 minutes or 1 hour depending upon the speed of your Internet connection and then Windows Update will show you list of all available updates. Now Windows Update will no longer stick at “Checking for updates” screen.

NOTE: You may need to temporary stop Windows Update service before installing above mentioned updates. You can run net stop wuauserv command in Command Prompt to temporary stop Windows Update service before installing each update.

You can also use Services Manager program to stop Windows Update service. Check out METHOD 7 in following tutorial to learn more about it:

Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Install Problem

SOLUTION 2: Install All Updates Using Official Convenience Rollup Package

Microsoft has released a convenience rollup pack for Windows 7 which installs almost all available updates released after SP1 (Service Pack 1) of Windows 7. So if you install this convenience rollup pack in your Windows 7 machine, it’ll automatic upgrade Windows Update client version and your problem will be solved.

To learn how to download and install this convenience rollup pack, check out following article:

Install All Post-SP1 Updates Offline in Windows 7 Using Convenience Rollup Package

SOLUTION 3: Reset Windows Update Components and Services

Sometimes these kind of problems may occur due to corrupted components and services related to Windows Update. In past, we have posted a batch script to reset Windows Update components and services to fix such kind of issues.

You can download and run the Windows Update reset script from following article:

Fix Windows Updates Problems and Issues Using Automatic Reset Script

SOLUTION 4: Use Windows Update Troubleshooter and Fixit Tool

Windows 7 provides a built-in troubleshooter to fix issues related to Windows Update. You can run the built-in troubleshooter to repair Windows Update program. Microsoft also provides an official Fixit tool to fix Windows Update related problems.

You can learn more about the troubleshooter tool in following article:

[Tip] Use Windows Update Troubleshooter to Fix All Problems

SOLUTION 5: Use Custom DNS Settings for Your Internet Connection

Sometimes this problem may also occur due to your Internet connection if the DNS server of your ISP is not updated. You can use external DNS settings to get faster and reliable Internet connection which may also solve Windows Update related problems.

To learn how to use custom DNS settings in Windows, check out following tutorial:

How to Change or Use Custom DNS Server Settings in Windows?

SOLUTION 6: Use Built-in System File Checker (SFC) Tool

If some files and settings related to Windows Update are corrupted or missing in your Windows OS, it may also cause such kind of issues. You can repair Windows and restore default system files with the help of built-in SFC tool.

You can learn more about SFC tool and how to use it by going through METHOD 4 in following tutorial:

[METHOD 4] How to Use SFC /SCANNOW Command in Windows?

That’s it. The above mentioned solutions will definitely help you in fixing this annoying issue in Windows 7  as well as other Windows versions.

NOTE:

If you are facing similar issue in Windows 8/8.1 operating system, following tutorial will help you:

[Fix] Windows 8/8.1 Keeps Checking for Updates Forever

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Thanks for the help .
    Solution 2 worked for me as a complete ignoramus .
    I had to have a replacement hard disc and the shop said that updates are automatically installed, clearly nonsense.
    You just have to read carefully and install the prerequisite and use Explorer and remove the auto update .And then wait for several hours .
    This has been a godsend .
    Thanks again .

  2. Fixing Windows Update on Windows 7 Pro, SP-1, 64 bit systems using FireFox browser.

    Relevant Links:
    https://www.askvg.com/fix-windows-7-keeps-checking-for-updates-for-hours/
    https://www.askvg.com/microsoft-offers-a-way-to-prevent-automatic-windows-10-upgrade-on-windows-7-computers/

    Screen shots were eliminated when pasted to this window.

    The following is gleaned predominantly from the first of the above links. The askvg.com web site is very good and includes multiple methods for fixing this vexing problem. Due to changes in MS updating Windows 7 computers Windows Update client indicates that it is looking for updates and will indicate that for as long as you want to wait. So you have to close it with no result. The screen seen with this problem follows.

    (from askvg site)

    The askvg.com web site gives several solutions and there are many responses praising the web site and giving additional help and information. I was able to solve my own problem using Solution 1 by installing the following programs manually. Some were already on my system some were not. The recommended list of updates is as follows.

    KB3050265
    KB3065987
    KB3102810
    KB3135445
    KB3138612
    KB3161664
    KB3020369
    KB3172605

    First I rendered Windows update client inoperable by two methods, using both. The first was by changing settings in the Window Update client by clicking the Start button, finding Windows Update in the program list, clicking on it and then clicking Change settings (see above screen). In the drop down menu choose “Never check for updates (not recommended)” and click “OK”. Then go into services and STOP Windows Update (wuauserv). One way to get there is Control Panel/System and Security/Administrative Tools/Services/. Highlight Windows Update and click on Stop. The Windows Update Agent is now neutered. See the following screen print. When all downloads are finished and installations completed both of the above changes must be reversed to their original state.

    Next I downloaded and saved the files indicated above. You can go to the first askvg.com link and use the direct links found there for 64 or 32 bit systems. I Googled the file names and download them to a folder from MS. If you Google “KB3050265” (without quotes) there should be an obvious MS download link, see following example.

    Download Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems – Microsoft
    microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=47351
    Jun 2, 2015 – Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3050265). Select Language: Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (Hong Kong SAR), Chinese …

    Click on the link and the DOWNLOAD bar in the MS page and you should get the following window. Choose Save File and OK and download to a specified folder.

    I downloaded the .msu files in the order shown to a folder and then one by one ran them. Double clicking the .msu files apparently runs wusa.exe, the Windows Standalone Update Installer, thus installing the KB file. I did not restart my computer unless there was a restart prompt. The following is a list of the results for each file for my Windows 7 Pro SP-1 Dell laptop.

    KB3050265 Already on system
    KB3065987 Already on system
    KB3102810 Installed
    KB3135445 Installed
    KB3138612 Already on system
    KB3161664 Installed and Prompted to Reboot
    KB3020369 Already on system
    KB3172605 Installed and Prompted to Reboot

    List of .msu files run:

    Note that KB3065987 is a second version (Windows6.1-KB3065987-v2-x64.msu. I ran it and did not look for the original KB3065987. When you double click on a file a window pops up and it either prompts you to install the file or indicates that the file already exists. Install missing files and Reboot if prompted.

    KB3020369 is included in the downloads for it allows for you to exclude the download of Windows 10 onto your system when Automatic Downloads is chosen in Windows Update (it may prevent you from manually installing as well but I was not willing to try that, the last thing I want is Windows 10 on my laptop). I went through the method as outlined in the second askvg.com link listed at the top of these directions. It is slick and straight forward. I wanted to do this before I attempted to download files.

    After going to Windows Update and changing back to the original settings (I prefer “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them”) I entered Services again resetting Windows Update (wuauserv) to RESTART and then rebooted the computer. I opened Windows Update again and clicked Check for Updates. It took quite a while to find about 550 MB of program updates to download. The following screen indicates the updates available several days after my first complete download.

    I always open “important updates are available” and “optional updates are available” and use the check boxes to choose what I really want to download. This has allowed me to avoid the dreaded Bing bar 7.1, KB2673772, 5.5 MB by unchecking the appropriate box. Good luck with this. Longview

  3. I did solution 1 last night. Two of the upgrades failed: KB2742613 and KB2861208. I am a Luddite so do not know what to do next. IE will not run. I have also been getting a message about “dwm.exe and dxgi.dll” not being installed but that happened before the updates. When I try the Windows help, it just sits there spinning and the only way I can close it is by using Task Manager. A friend told me to create a restore point, which I did, before I started this process. I am using Firefox to do this. (Fortunately, I wrote down this website address with my handy-dandy pencil and piece of paper.) Thank you in advance.

  4. This article is now pretty out of date. The magic patch you need is KB3172605, i.e. the last of the additional patches Dan listed. This is the July 2016 update roll-up. It incorporates all the fixes from the June 2016 rollup, specifically KB3161647 “Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: June 2016”. This supersedes earlier Windows Update related patches so you don’t need the previous ones.

    The difficulty is actually getting Windows to install this as once Windows Update has got into a stuck state it won’t let you install it. So you will need to disable automatic updates, reboot (or kill the process) then run KB3161647.

    “SOLUTION 2: Install All Updates Using Official Convenience Rollup Package” is not sufficient or necessary as this was released in April 2016 so does not include the July 2016 update. However if you’re starting from a clean Win 7 SP1 install to speed the update process I would install the convenience rollup first then the July 2016 update (I don’t know what happens if you install them out of sequence).

  5. An extra tip:

    For users who are stuck when manually installing an update .msu file.

    This means “searching for updates on this computer” keeps on running.

    Fix:

    In update setting change to: Never check for updates.

    Regards Frank

  6. Thank you very much. Solution 1 (and disconnecting any internet access during the installation of those patches) worked for me.

  7. Brilliant! Solution 1 worked perfectly. Many thanks to all involved. Some Windows 7 updates listed above on this old system of mine had already been installed, the few missing once updated directly restored the Windows Updater to full function, and I am now up to date with the missing security and other updates. Never know what Microsoft may be forced to provide in updates for historic systems, as the ransomware game grows, so good to be able to update correctly again!!

  8. After the recent security scare I checked and found I hadn’t had an auto update since October 2016 and searching for updates provoked the endless search noted above. I tried Jons solution and had the same problem, but with NTList I manged to get 2 updates installed. However attempts to load the other 6 met with no success – NTList read for hours but produced nothing for the update queue. I visited the Microsoft site to read the latest and left a comment that nothing was being done for the Windows 7 users update problem. I then looked on the control panel update page and there was a message that 14 updates were ready to install. It wasn’t there an hour earlier when I tried another fruitless search for updates. How did that happen!

  9. Re: [Fix] Windows 7 Keeps Checking for Updates for Hours
    My windows 7 machine had developed this problem at the end of 2016. I worked through all of these 2 sets of downloads (it turned out that some were already installed, others were not needed, but a few did also install). Well, lo and behold it fixed the problem. In my case I’m super careful and never trust any links so I searched separately for the downloads based on the update numbers rather than using the links supplied on this site (no offence intended). Anyway, all fixed and much appreciated. Many thanks – Jonah.

  10. Great article!
    Installing the update files may hang in certain instances. You may have to stop the wusa.exe and the svchost.exe that has the highest CPU usage. Then restart the update. You might have to do this several times for the update to install.

    To view which processes are running simply right click your mouse on the task bar ans select “start task manager” Once the Task Manager has opened select “show processes from all users” in the bottom right hand corner.

  11. THANK YOU! Solution 1 using the downloaded manual installs worked great. BUT:
    With Win 7 SP1 64-bit:
    1) I turned OFF all automatic updates via Control Panel.
    2) Contrary to the other users I HAD TO LEAVE THE wuauserv SERVICE RUNNING as the manual updates seem to look for that service and produced errors if it was off. When on, each of them smoothly installed with a restart required between most.
    and then a full Windows Update worked just fine. Joy!

  12. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this fix, it worked great, and I appreciate it. 🙂

  13. Thank you so much! Didn’t have to go beyond solution 1 as it resolved the problem!

  14. After reading all of these fixes to Windows Update and also having gone through the trials and tribulations of attempting to fix Windows Update, one can only ask how a company who claims to be at the leading edge of software technology can be so F-ing incompetent and still stay in business. If they had leadership and competent programmers, this problem should have been fixed internally a long time ago. When someone buys an OS, they expect it to work without having to do hours and hours of manual intervention.

  15. Great article!
    09-26-2017
    My system version is Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
    I tried almost everyting , takes me almost 2 day…..
    This solution (solution 1.) did it for me .100% finally ! Thank you !

    i also did (tried) :
    1.chkdsk
    2.Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
    3.Windows clean boot
    4.Fix: Windows 7 Update stuck on “Checking for updates

    Thank you so very very much!!!!

  16. Thanks very much. Windows now is updating.

    In this order;

    A. Download Prerequisite KB3020369 Update for Windows 7 32-bit (x86)
    B. SOLUTION 2: Install All Updates Using Official Convenience Rollup Package
    C. SOLUTION 1: Install Required Updates for Windows Update Client Manually

  17. Thank you everybody for this very detailed information. Saved my parents pc and are very thankfull for that! 😀

  18. I can.t find the link of METHOD 7 in this article – [Fix] Windows 7 Keeps Checking for Updates for Hours.

  19. This is way too complicated for myself, and I suspect, many others. So these solutions are no solutions for me and many.

    m

  20. Hi – I need help!!!

    My computer has been trying to update itself since starting it more than 12 hours ago without being able to get into the computer. Therefore i cannot apply any of the above solutions. I have tried to start in safe mode but continued for looping updates.

    Any solutions to break that cycle and get into my computer?

    Regards,

    John

  21. ^^ No. Don’t do that. It may take some time in updating the system. If it keeps updating, I can only suggest a system repair.

  22. about above post i maded

    i maded a error about the month and year sorry mistyping
    the update 3177467 was in Servicing Stack Update September 2016 but the oct 2018 does replace the sept 16 update

    the sept update are still in microsoft update catalog but not in download page on microsoft because sept 16 update turn to oct 18

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