Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates

Windows update is an essential part of Windows which provide services such as patches, bug fixes, security updates etc. Without Windows updates, the system is prone to security vulnerability such as the recent ransomware attacks; now you know Windows updates’ value. People who were smart enough to update their Windows regularly were not harmed during the recent ransomware attack. Basically, Windows update is used for several things to make your system better than it was before, but what happens when the Window Updates fails?

Windows update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. Read How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update manually. You may need to restart your computer.

Well, you won’t be able to check for updates, and there won’t be any download available, in short, your system becomes vulnerable to attack. You will see the error message when checking for update “Windows Update cannot currently check for updates” and even if you restart your PC & try again, you will also face the same error.

Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates

There are many possible explanations as to why this error occurs such as corrupt registry, Windows Update services not starting or Windows update settings got corrupted etc. Don’t worry even with all the above possible causes. We will list all the methods to fix this error, so without wasting any time let’s see how to Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates error with the below-listed troubleshooting steps.

Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

1. Type troubleshooting in the Windows Search bar and click on Troubleshooting.

troubleshooting control panel

2. Next, from the left window, pane select View all.

3. Then from the Troubleshoot computer problems list select Windows Update.

select windows update from troubleshoot computer problems

4. Follow on-screen instruction and let the Windows Update Troubleshoot run.

Windows Update Troubleshooter

5. Restart your PC and again try to install the updates.

Method 2: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

1. Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Now type the following commands to stop Windows Update Services and then hit Enter after each one:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

Stop Windows update services wuauserv cryptSvc bits msiserver

3. Next, type the following command to rename SoftwareDistribution Folder and then hit Enter:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

4. Finally, type the following command to start Windows Update Services and hit Enter after each one:

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Start Windows update services wuauserv cryptSvc bits msiserver

5.Reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 3: Temporarily Disable Anti-virus and Firewall Protection

Sometimes the Antivirus program can cause an error, and to verify this is not the case here, you need to disable your antivirus for a limited time so that you can check if the error still appears when the antivirus is off.

1. Right-click on the Antivirus Program icon from the system tray and select Disable.

Disable auto-protect to disable your Antivirus

2.  Next, select the time frame for which the Antivirus will remain disabled.

select the duration until when the antivirus will be disabled

Note: Choose the smallest amount of time possible, for example, 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

3. Once done, again try to connect to open Google Chrome and check if the error resolves or not.

4. Search for the control panel from the Start Menu search bar and click on it to open the Control Panel.

Type Control Panel in the search bar and press enter | Fix Aw Snap Error on Google Chrome

5. Next, click on System and Security then click on Windows Firewall.

click on Windows Firewall

6. Now from the left window pane click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.

Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off present on the left side of the Firewall window

7. Select Turn off Windows Firewall and restart your PC.

Click on Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)

Again try to open Google Chrome and visit the web page, which was earlier showing the error. If the above method doesn’t work, please follow the same steps to turn on your Firewall again.

Method 4: Download Microsoft Troubleshooter

You could try the Fixit or official Troubleshooter for the  Windows Update cannot currently check for the updates error message.

Download Microsoft Troubleshooter to  Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates error

Method 5: Update the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver

Install the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver (Intel RST) and see if you can Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates error.

Method 6: Re-register the Windows Update DLL

1. Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

command prompt with admin rights

2. Type the following command into cmd one by one and hit Enter after each one:

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

Re-register the Windows Update DLL

3. Reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 7: Reset Windows Update components

1. Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

command prompt admin

2. Type the following command into cmd and hit Enter after each one:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc

Stop Windows update services wuauserv cryptSvc bits msiserver

3. Delete the qmgr*.dat files, to do this again open cmd and type:

Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”

4. Type the following into cmd and hit Enter:

cd /d %windir%\system32

Reregister the BITS files and the Windows Update files

5. Reregister the BITS files and the Windows Update files. Type each of the following commands individually in cmd and hit Enter after each one:

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

6. To reset Winsock:

netsh winsock reset

netsh winsock reset

7. Reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor:

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)

8. Again start the Windows update services:

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

Start Windows update services wuauserv cryptSvc bits msiserver

9. Install the latest Windows Update Agent.

10. Reboot your PC and see if you’re able to fix the issue.

Method 8: Repair Install Windows 10

This method is the last resort because if nothing works out, then, this method will surely repair all problems with your PC. Repair Install using an in-place upgrade to repair issues with the system without deleting user data present on the system. So follow this article to see How to Repair Install Windows 10 Easily.

Recommended:

That’s it you have successfully Fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates but if you still have any questions regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *