Windows Update not working

[mstritt4302]

Hello,

I'm having an issue with Windows Update. When I try to run Windows Update, the window starts to open, but just hangs. Also, when I try to access Windows Update via Control Panel, the window starts to open, but just hangs. I've tied running Microsoft FixIt, but it seems to start loading, but just hangs hangs as well. Windows Update service is started, but when I try to restart (stop/start it), it eventually fails. This is my father-in-law's PC, so I'm not sure what all he has done to it. He has multiple PC Boosting type apps on it unfortunately. If he tries to run one of them, it successfully scans, but when you attempt to clean/repair it, it starts to run (a few progress bars), but hangs. This is happening on multiple scanning apps. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[niemiro]

Hello, and welcome to Sysnative :)

Does this issue affect Windows Update only as far as you are aware? No other parts of Windows Explorer? Can you please spot check that Control Panel, Networking and Sharing Centre, Recycle Bin, and (My) Computer all open properly.

These special folders work in a very similar way to Windows Update. They actually work as shell extensions out of the Windows Shell Common Dll, shdocvw.dll. For this reason, I will be asking for the state of this file (whether it is corrupt or not) to be verified with the System File Checker (instructions on how later, explanations on why first: I find that most people like to know what is going on, what I plan to do, and why).

It is also potentially possible that the registry side of the Windows Update Shell Extension is corrupt (CLSID: {36eef7db-88ad-4e81-ad49-0e313f0c35f8}). Registry cleaners just love deleting "unused" CLSIDs. Perhaps one took it too far on this machine. I suspect this is unlikely, but I can check.

Also, we can perform a Clean Boot on both startup items and services. I suspect this is the most likely cause. We will just temporarily disable everything, see if some piece of junk on the computer is interfering. If it is, it is just a case of halving and halving again until we find the piece of software responsible for these issues.

This is the general stuff. Then comes the clever stuff: using much more advanced techniques to try to identify exactly what is hanging, and a few tricks I have up my sleeve (such as running the 32bit copy of Windows Update on 64bit Windows to test). This varies greatly between 32bit and 64bit computers. Do you know whether this computer is 32bit or 64bit? I will show you how to find out later, if you don't know.

BTW, I haven't forgotten about your mention of FixIt and Service troubles, but similar stuff applies.

I just thought that you might like a run down of what I plan to do. You can safely ignore all of the above, any of it you don't understand, but if you are curious, you may also ask questions about it.

---

Ignoring all of the above, here is what you actually need to do:

I would like you to perform a Clean Boot procedure to rule out any possible interference from most startup applications and 3rd party services: How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

Please let me know whether or not this helps, any improvements or changes, and whether you have a 32bit or 64bit computer.

Thank you,

Richard

 

[mstritt4302]

Hello,

Thanks for responding! I have actually been able to get Windows Update to open/work by doing the following:

1. Set the Services "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" and "Windows Update" to Disabled.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Renamed C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution-Old.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Set the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" to Automatic and "Windows Update" service to Automatic (Delayed).
6. Start the BITS and WU services.
7. Opened the Windows Update and configured it to Automatic download and install of all updates (including non-critical).

However, some of the downloads are failing with the following codes:
80200053
80070570

I am able to open Trash Bin, Control Panel, My Computer, etc. without issues. However, Microsoft FixIt will still not run. It starts out "Preparing to load", then "Loading", but then hangs (see screenshot attached). There just seems to be odd things happening on this machine. It's Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit.

 

[mstritt4302]

Spoke too soon :) After a reboot, I'm back to where I was ... Windows Update won't run. It hangs when opening via Control Panel, etc.

 

[mstritt4302]

Wanted to also mention, I did a clean boot and saw the same behavior. No improvements.

 

[niemiro]

Hello again :)

OK, it appears that this could very well be a corrupt file. For one thing, error code 0x80070570 is ERROR_FILE_CORRUPT.

So...
Please start downloading the System Update Readiness Tool from Microsoft ->here<-. Save the tool to a convenient location as it may be necessary to run it again.

Whilst it is downloading, please open an elevated Command Prompt: How to start an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows 7 and Vista
and type in sfc /scannow (notice the space), and press enter. Wait for it to finish before proceeding.

After both the download and SFC have completed, double-click on the downloaded System Update Readiness Tool file and wait while it initializes.
Click Yes to begin installation. It may take up to an hour for it to complete. Please be patient.

Finally (once it has finished installing):

• Navigate to C:\Windows\Logs
• Copy the entire CBS folder to your desktop.
• Right-click the copied CBS folder on your desktop and select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
• Please upload the zipped file with your next reply.

Thank you,

Richard

 

[mstritt4302]

OK, sfc /scannow finished without issues (see screenshot attached). System Update Readiness Tool hangs at "Preparing the installation" and goes no further (see screenshot attached). I have also attached the zipped CBS folder (if it contains anything since the tool didn't run).

 

[mstritt4302]

System Update Readiness Tool eventually through the following error (see attached screenshot).

 

[mstritt4302]

Well, for some reason, Windows Update service was not started. So, I started the Windows Update service, and was able to access Windows Update. However, I'm still seeing errors when attempting to download updates. Hangs at "Preparing to Install". I also ran the Windows Update Standalone Installer again, to see what would happen. Well, I've gotten farther than before. It's now hung at "Searching for updates on this computer".

 

[Corrine]

Hi, mstritt4302.

Thank you for the additional information. Please be patient as it takes time to analyze the CBS logs and prepare an appropriate fix. In addition, there can be some delay due to time zone differences. :)

 

[niemiro]

Hello again :)

Thank you for your detailed updates.

Firstly, please download and run this tool: Farbar Service Scanner Download

Please put a check in every box, click Scan, and post the report when it has completed.

It certainly doesn't scan everything, but it is a useful starting point for me to go from, and might help me determine as to whether this is a service problem or not.


Also, can you make another copy of the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder to your Desktop, but this time also add C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log to it before zipping it up and uploading.

I would like to see the errors around the failure of the SURT with error code 0x800706BE.

I have reviewed your previous logs, and I have discovered what appear to be conditions which would break Windows Update. But I would just like to check around the SURT failure before proceeding.

Thank you,

Richard