Are you also facing a continuous error popping on your device which says “Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running”? Then you might also be thinking about this issue a lot. What are the reasons behind this error? This is one of those common errors faced by people on their devices. If you too are going through such an issue then you might find this article very useful as it will resolve the mystery of this frequently seen error on Windows updates.

Windows Update not Able to Check for Updates: Basic Overview

Updating Windows and keeping them updated with the latest versions is something that every user needs to do. To keep one’s device running smoothly and not letting it slow down with time, updates are quite necessary. 

But what if your Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running or due to any other reason? In such a situation a person might be thinking why is my Windows update service not running? The problem of Windows update service, not running is nerve-racking for a person who is a regular user of a PC.

So let’s figure out why such errors occur in our system and what could be done to resolve them. Why is your Windows not checking for updates? Whenever you see Windows update cannot currently check for updates, you might think of the reason behind this error occurring on your device. Many of us think that Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. But there could be many other reasons that might be behind the recurring of this error. 

The Reason Behind not Getting Updates on Windows

  • Service not RunningWindows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running

This is something that is made a universal reason for this. There is a majority of people who complain that it might be the sole cause of their Windows update cannot currently check for updates. Now if this is the specific problem that you need to cater to for your Windows updater to work back normal then try out any of the below-mentioned solutions.

  • Clearing your Windows Update History

The hoarding of a lot of history on your Windows updater can also be making it difficult for it to access the recent updates. Now you might think of how you can solve this issue of history on the Windows updater. Don’t worry you are all sorted as in the below-given steps you will get to know exactly how you should go on and clear your history:

  • First of all press Windows + R and then on the Run box, you need to type “services. msc”.
  • You would be then provided with a list of services, find the Windows update 
  • Now select Windows update and click on stop.
  • Then navigate to this “{50afa256e6562afb2cd7837d8db3fd71ce947f26b53ffff72a77bb9141ae121a}windir{50afa256e6562afb2cd7837d8db3fd71ce947f26b53ffff72a77bb9141ae121a}\SoftwareDistribution” on the run box 
  • This will lead you to the Software Distribution folder
  • After getting to the folder named as software distribution folder, you need to delete all the files in it  
  • After you are done deleting all the history now you need to restart the Windows update.
  • For that right click on Windows update in the service applet.
  • Then click on start to restart the Windows update services.

And you are all done with clearing the history of your Windows updater. If this was the reason behind your Windows update cannot currently check for updates then most probably the issue will be solved.

  • Use your Troubleshooter 

Sometimes the issue occurs because of some random technical glitch and not resolving with anything you have tried then you might try running your Windows update troubleshooter. Install Windows update troubleshooter on your computer and launch it in your Windows.

  •  Disabling of Third-party Security Software

At times, this third-party security software can be the reason behind such errors. Although it’s not necessary to disable them for long. Just disabling them for a little while must help your Windows updater to run normally. So next time when you face this error of Windows updater not being able to show updates you might try out this way to check if it is this third-party safety software behind it.Disabling of Third-party Security Software

  • Updating your RST Driver

Sometimes it’s your RST driver that is causing you issues. keeping an outdated or defective RST driver can be one careless thing that might give you big trouble as such. So you should manage the frequent updates of your RST.

  • Registration of Windows Update Service

If your Windows update service is not registered properly then this problem may be occurring on your device more frequently. If you need to solve this problem then you have to register it in a systematic way to get rid of that problem. In case you ever encounter such an issue with Windows updates and cannot currently check for Windows updates. This is because the service is not running then make sure to register the Windows update service.Registration of Windows Update Service

Read more: HOW TO TRANSFER FILES FROM OLD PC TO NEW PC WINDOWS 10 (EXPERT GUIDANCE)

Final Say

If you are in trouble with windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running and it is bulging your effort to maintain an up-to-date device then the above-provided information is all you need to know. This is a full guide about why such errors might occur and how you can take care of them. This will allow you to get rid of this problem in the easiest way possible.

FAQs

1. How long does checking for updates take?

20 to 30 seconds is the average time that it takes to check for an update. But if your device is taking longer than that then your device might be facing some issues. This requires a solution to have this average time of 20 to 30 seconds for checking for updates.

2. Why is your Windows not checking for updates?

Your window not checking for an update is because the service might not be running on your device due to many reasons ranging from the interference of third-party security software or Windows update history or improper registration of Windows updates etc.