Windows update cannot currently check for updates

This is a very unspecified error in Windows that you receive when Windows cannot check for updates, this can have multiple reasons and it’s sometimes hard to determine which one is causing it. I have collected the most common solutions for this problem and you can read them below

[symple_box color=”red” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””] WARNING: This post includes steps for Windows 7 and 8(.1)! Do not use the steps on any other version then these.
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Resolve Method 1: Automatic Diagnostic Tools

Microsoft has released a program that can scan for known problems with updates and their installation and solve them, this is the thing you should try first before any other method.

[symple_button url=”http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9830262″ color=”blue” size=”default” border_radius=”3px” target=”self” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]Download[/symple_button]

If this program cannot solve the problem then continue with method 2 below

Resolve Method 2: Resetting the Services

1. Open Start and type Services.msc then hit Enter

2. Locate Windows Update

3. Right-click on the service and select Properties

4. In Start-up type, select Automatic

5. Click the Start button.

6. Click OK

7 Then locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service and repeat the steps

8 Then locate Cryptographic Services and repeat the steps

Services.msc
Services.msc

Resolve Method 3: Removing SoftwareDistribution

1. Open Start and type CMD, then right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator

Run as Administrator
Run as Administrator

2. Type net stop wuauserv, then hit enter

3. Type ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old 

4. Type net start wuauserv, then hit enter

CMD Commands
CMD Commands

 

About the Author

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Windows
Yuri specializes in troubleshooting (crash analysis and devices), system resource utilisation and system performance. He is also very interested in Customer Security. Yuri can be found as Windows Community Moderator and Wiki Author on Microsoft Answers and is active on different communities all across the web.

1 comment

  1. I still can not update. It is showing Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running all over again. And I’ve done all 3 of your steps.
    Please help.

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