Windows Update Service Not Working Error for Windows 7/8/10 – Solved

If you get the message “Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running” on your computer, certainly there is a problem with the SoftwareDistribution folder in your computer. Maybe the SoftwareDistribution folder is corrupted – due to this reason you get a Windows update error message.

At first, try to fix and repair the damaged files of your Windows OS. Then just check the Windows update service, background intelligent transfer service and make sure those are working properly. Then use the below steps to fix the error regarding the Windows update service.

It is sure that you get the message because the service is not running. Possibly Windows update service setting is corrupted. So, reset the Windows updates and delete old Windows update file i.e. SoftwareDistribution folder. Otherwise, download and run the Microsoft Fix it utility software to your PC. Choose the recommended method to troubleshoot the problem.

Manual Way to Fix Windows Update Not Running Error in Window 11 or Windows 10/7/8.1

To repair the Windows update service open the command prompt window with administrator privilege and run the following command:

net stop wuauserv
cd %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution
ren Download Download.old
regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll
net start wuauserv
NET START BITS
NET START WUAUSERV
SC QUERYEX BITS
SC QUERYEX WUAUSERV

Restart  the computer and you will find the windows update service not found error any more.

If you find the problem again then use the following set of commands also:

Use every command one by one and press the Enter button after each line.

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
cd /d %windir%\system32
regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
netsh winsock reset
proxycfg.exe -d
netsh winhttp reset proxy
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

Source: Microsoft support

Restart the PC to resolve the issue.

Alternatively, stop the windows update service manually from the services window. Right-click on the Windows Update service and select ‘stop’. Navigate to c:\windows folder and delete/rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. Then start the windows update service again.

This tutorial is based on all the versions of Windows OS. When you get any Windows update error, just follow the above-mentioned steps. However, if the problem is Windows 10/11 specific then just follow the Windows 10 anniversary update error 0x80070057 fix method.