Windows Update cannot currently check for updates: how to fix it

Which Windows shows this message

“Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running” appears in the old Control Panel Windows Update page, mainly on Windows 7 and Vista. Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2 use the same page. Windows 10 and 11 don’t show this sentence. When the service is disabled there, the update check fails in Settings and Microsoft lists the code as 0x80070422 (service disabled), with the same fix: get the Windows Update service running.

Windows 7 and 8.1 are out of support. Windows 7’s paid extended updates ended on January 10, 2023, and Windows 8.1 support ended the same day. Fixing the service still helps if you need the updates that remain available, but those systems no longer get security fixes, so plan a move to a supported version.

1. Start the Windows Update service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Double-click Windows Update.
3. If Startup type is Disabled, set it to Manual (Windows 10 and 11) or Automatic (Delayed Start) (Windows 7), and click Apply.
4. Click Start, then OK.
5. Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service if it’s disabled, then check for updates again.

On Windows 10 and 11, Manual is normal: Windows starts the service when it needs it, so a stopped service on its own isn’t a fault. Some guides tell you to force it to Automatic; that isn’t needed. If the service turns itself off again after a restart, an “update blocker” tool, a tweaking utility or malware may be disabling it. If the service is missing from the list entirely, see Windows Update service missing.

2. Clear the update cache

If the service is running but the message still appears, the local update database is the usual suspect. Microsoft’s quick reset deletes it so Windows rebuilds it. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:

net stop wuauserv
rd /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution
net start wuauserv

Restart the PC and check for updates. This also clears your update history list, which is cosmetic; installed updates stay installed. If rd says files are in use, run net stop bits first and try again.

3. Reset Windows Update components

Microsoft’s fuller reset stops the related services, renames the cache folders and starts everything again. Run these in an elevated Command Prompt:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

Restart and check again. Renaming instead of deleting keeps the old folders as a backup; once updates work, you can delete the .bak folders. Microsoft’s article also covers re-registering the update DLLs and resetting service permissions, but treat those as a last resort: the permission reset overwrites existing settings.

On Windows 10 and 11, also run the troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then Run next to Windows Update. It now opens in the Get Help app. If updates start but fail with a connection error, see We couldn’t connect to the update service.

4. Repair system files

Damaged system files can stop the service from starting. In an elevated Command Prompt on Windows 10 or 11, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

On Windows 7, run sfc /scannow only; the DISM repair command above isn’t available there. Restart afterwards. Once the service runs, you can also force Windows Update to check or use the command line to start a scan.

Extra steps on Windows 7

• Make sure Service Pack 1 is installed (Control Panel > System shows it). Windows Update on 7 depends on it.
• In Control Panel > Windows Update > Change settings, choose Never check for updates, click OK, restart, then switch back to your normal setting. Users in Microsoft’s community forums report this re-registers the service.
• Check the date, time and time zone. Update checks fail when the clock is far off.

Fixes to skip

Several guides suggest turning off the firewall or antivirus, running batch files from file-sharing sites, or installing driver updater tools. None of those addresses a stopped service, and they add risk. Stick to the built-in steps above; if they all fail, a repair install of Windows is the clean next step on Windows 10 and 11.

Related guides

• Windows Update service missing: how to restore it in Windows 11 and 10
• We couldn’t connect to the update service: 7 fixes for Windows 11/10
• How to force Windows Update to check and install updates
• Windows Update from the command line: CMD and PowerShell commands

Official sources:

• Microsoft Learn: Additional resources for Windows Update (reset components)
• Microsoft Learn: Windows Update error codes (0x80070422)
• Microsoft Learn: Windows 8.1 end of support