[SOLVED] Checking for updates... forever

crypto · Aug 11, 2016

I am using a Nextbook tablet that was repaired with a recovery file after the Win10 upgrade expired. So, I'm stuck with Win8.1 (with Bing).
Currently, the tablet is failing to get past the Checking for updates... process.

I have run both sfc /scannow and SFCFix and both have come back clean - but that hasn't fixed the problem.

I am attaching both the text file I received and my CBS log zipped folder.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Aura · Aug 19, 2016

Hi crypto :)

Do you still need assistance with that issue?

crypto · Aug 20, 2016

If possible, I would appreciate it. Yes.

Aura · Aug 20, 2016

How long have you let the tablet look for updates?

crypto · Aug 20, 2016

The longest time recently was 2 to 3 hours. If I have time, I can try again for longer.

crypto · Aug 20, 2016

If it matters: regardless of how often or how long I've checked for updates, it still reads "Most recent check for updates: Never" and "Updates were installed: Never"

Aura · Aug 21, 2016

Let's start by something simple, taking care of the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then see if checking for updates works properly.

SoftwareDistribution - Rename
Follow the instructions below to rename the folders in SoftwareDistribution.

On Windows Vista & 7, click on the Windows Start Menu, then enter cmd in the search box, right-click on the cmd icon and select

Run as Administrator
On Windows 8, drag your cursor in the bottom-left corner, and right-click on the metro menu preview, then select Command Prompt (Admin);
On Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, right click on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner and select Command Prompt (Admin);

Enter the commands below one at the time (press Enter to send it);

Code:

net stop wuauserv
ren %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download DL.bak
ren %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DS.bak
net start wuauserv

crypto · Aug 22, 2016

Thank you for your help, Aura. Sadly, that didn't do it.

Aura · Aug 22, 2016

Download the update below and try to install it.

Download Update for Windows 8.1 (KB3021910) from Official Microsoft Download Center

If it fails, upload the two files below for me so I can review them.

C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log
C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log

crypto · Aug 22, 2016

Same results as just checking for updates. It shows Windows Update Standalone Installer in the title bar and then Searching for updates on this computer... with a progress bar that just keeps going.
Clicking the cancel button does nothing.
I had to zip the log files to stay under the size restrictions.

Thanks again for working with me on this.

Aura · Aug 22, 2016

In that case I would leave it overnight and see if it finds something when you wake up. It's a pretty common issue on fresh Windows 7 installs, and I wonder if that could be the case on Windows 8.1 as well.

Willy2 · Aug 23, 2016

- Your SFCfix log shows no errors/corruptions. That's why you could try the instructions on this webpage. It contains instructions for Win 8 as well.

Solve Windows Update problem (High CPU & memory usage)

@Aura: Yes, Windows 8 has this particular problem as well.

crypto · Aug 23, 2016

Thank you both. Waiting overnight did the trick. I installed over 130 updates and checking now takes only minutes.

Aura · Aug 23, 2016

Awesome, glad to see that it worked crypto :)

rdburke · Aug 23, 2016

crypto said:
Thank you both. Waiting overnight did the trick. I installed over 130 updates and checking now takes only minutes.

Just for the sake of knowledge, I just had a Windows 7 machine with your same issue..........I know this sounds stupid on my part but it too was a new clean install and I finally figured out after 3 hours of troubleshooting that the Time Zone in Windows was set to Pacific Time and I am Eastern. I set it correctly and Windows Update immediately found updates.........just my 2 cents.

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[SOLVED] Checking for updates... forever

crypto

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Aura

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crypto

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crypto

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crypto

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Aura

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Willy2

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crypto

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Aura

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rdburke

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