Updates Just Don't Happen

I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a quick
answer.
I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months ago.
If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page that
says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software...." but
nothing happens.

What do I need to do to get it working again?

Thanks

Charlie,

I think it might help if you tell us what versions of Windows each PC has on
it, including the Service Pack levels (SP1, SP2, etc.). That will help for a
start.
As my PCs are in a "different state" these days, I might not be completely
on target with this next suggestion ... but find the Windows Update folder in
Program Files.

When you have found this folder, look for files that begin with the
characters "iu" and if you do have any (there might be three), then carefully
change the extension on each one, by adding ".old" - that is dot-old. For
example, if you have a file named iuhist.txt, rename it to iuhist.txt.old.
The reason I suggest it this way is to retain the exact file name, in the
even that this suggestion does not help.

Okay, having found and renamed these files, restart your computer and try to
get into Windows Update the usual way. That is either from the Programs
menu, or from IE's menu: Tools / Windows Update.

You might have success now.

Good luck,
-a.

"Charlie" wrote:

> I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a quick
> answer.
> I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months ago.
> If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page that
> says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software...." but
> nothing happens.
>
> What do I need to do to get it working again?
>
> Thanks

Hi Charlie,

Give this a try..........

Go to Start>Run and key in:
net.exe stop wuauserv
Click on OK or hit ENTER

Go to Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 wuapi.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 wups.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 jscript.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 atl.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 softpub.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
Click on OK or hit ENTER
Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box

Start>Run and key in:
net.exe start wuauserv

Now try the Windows Update site.


Alternatively, you could create a command script file to run the above
commands in a Command Prompt window......

Go to Start>Run
Key in:
cmd
Click on OK or hit ENTER

In the Command Prompt window, key in:
notepad registerit.cmd
Hit ENTER

A Notepad window will open with a dialogue box asking if you want to create
a new file. Click on Yes in the dialogue box.

Copy/paste the following, between but not including the asterisks, into the
Notepad window:

*********************
net stop wuauserv

regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll

regsvr32 /s wups.dll

regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll

regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll

regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll

regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll

regsvr32 /s jscript.dll

regsvr32 /s atl.dll

regsvr32 /s softpub.dll

net start wuauserv
**********************

When finished pasting the above commands into the Notepad window, go to
File>Save then File>Exit.


Back in the Command Prompt window, key in:
registerit.cmd
Then hit ENTER

When the file is done running, and you're back at the C: prompt, key in:
exit
Then hit ENTER

Now try the Windows Update site.



Regards,

--
Patti MacLeod
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

"Charlie" <> wrote in message
news:557AC562-751A-4C4F-BEEC-...
> I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a
quick
> answer.
> I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months ago.
> If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page that
> says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software...."
but
> nothing happens.
>
> What do I need to do to get it working again?
>
> Thanks

Instead of posting I should have just looked through the list of postings to
the last one from yesterday by dak. Yes, your solution works (thank you),
which is the same one that zak proposed.
I'm going to write a batch file containing those commands and save it for
when this happens again.

Oh, and Alexh you are correct. It would have helped if I at least gave the
OS (XP, SP2). It's the only desktop version of Windows that I ever see
anymore, so it's gotten to the point where that's just "Windows" to me.

Thanks


"Patti MacLeod" wrote:

> Hi Charlie,
>
> Give this a try..........
>
> Go to Start>Run and key in:
> net.exe stop wuauserv
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
>
> Go to Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuapi.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wups.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wucltui.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuweb.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 jscript.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 atl.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 softpub.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 msxml3.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> net.exe start wuauserv
>
> Now try the Windows Update site.
>
>
> Alternatively, you could create a command script file to run the above
> commands in a Command Prompt window......
>
> Go to Start>Run
> Key in:
> cmd
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
>
> In the Command Prompt window, key in:
> notepad registerit.cmd
> Hit ENTER
>
> A Notepad window will open with a dialogue box asking if you want to create
> a new file. Click on Yes in the dialogue box.
>
> Copy/paste the following, between but not including the asterisks, into the
> Notepad window:
>
> *********************
> net stop wuauserv
>
> regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wups.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s jscript.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s atl.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s softpub.dll
>
> net start wuauserv
> **********************
>
> When finished pasting the above commands into the Notepad window, go to
> File>Save then File>Exit.
>
>
> Back in the Command Prompt window, key in:
> registerit.cmd
> Then hit ENTER
>
> When the file is done running, and you're back at the C: prompt, key in:
> exit
> Then hit ENTER
>
> Now try the Windows Update site.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Patti MacLeod
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
>
> "Charlie" <> wrote in message
> news:557AC562-751A-4C4F-BEEC-...
> > I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a
> quick
> > answer.
> > I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months ago.
> > If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page that
> > says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software...."
> but
> > nothing happens.
> >
> > What do I need to do to get it working again?
> >
> > Thanks
>
>
>
>
>

You're welcome :-)



Regards,

--
Patti MacLeod
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

"Charlie" <> wrote in message
news:493B306E-C680-40CB-8A33-...
> Instead of posting I should have just looked through the list of postings
to
> the last one from yesterday by dak. Yes, your solution works (thank you),
> which is the same one that zak proposed.
> I'm going to write a batch file containing those commands and save it for
> when this happens again.
>
> Oh, and Alexh you are correct. It would have helped if I at least gave
the
> OS (XP, SP2). It's the only desktop version of Windows that I ever see
> anymore, so it's gotten to the point where that's just "Windows" to me.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> "Patti MacLeod" wrote:
>
> > Hi Charlie,
> >
> > Give this a try..........
> >
> > Go to Start>Run and key in:
> > net.exe stop wuauserv
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> >
> > Go to Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuapi.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wups.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wucltui.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuweb.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 jscript.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 atl.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 softpub.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 msxml3.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > net.exe start wuauserv
> >
> > Now try the Windows Update site.
> >
> >
> > Alternatively, you could create a command script file to run the above
> > commands in a Command Prompt window......
> >
> > Go to Start>Run
> > Key in:
> > cmd
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> >
> > In the Command Prompt window, key in:
> > notepad registerit.cmd
> > Hit ENTER
> >
> > A Notepad window will open with a dialogue box asking if you want to
create
> > a new file. Click on Yes in the dialogue box.
> >
> > Copy/paste the following, between but not including the asterisks, into
the
> > Notepad window:
> >
> > *********************
> > net stop wuauserv
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wups.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s jscript.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s atl.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s softpub.dll
> >
> > net start wuauserv
> > **********************
> >
> > When finished pasting the above commands into the Notepad window, go to
> > File>Save then File>Exit.
> >
> >
> > Back in the Command Prompt window, key in:
> > registerit.cmd
> > Then hit ENTER
> >
> > When the file is done running, and you're back at the C: prompt, key in:
> > exit
> > Then hit ENTER
> >
> > Now try the Windows Update site.
> >
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > --
> > Patti MacLeod
> > Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> >
> > "Charlie" <> wrote in message
> > news:557AC562-751A-4C4F-BEEC-...
> > > I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a
> > quick
> > > answer.
> > > I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months
ago.
> > > If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page
that
> > > says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update
software...."
> > but
> > > nothing happens.
> > >
> > > What do I need to do to get it working again?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

tytytyty THANK YOU!!! I had the same problem and after a few hours I was
about to give up till I found this suggestion. I really can't thank you enough

"Patti MacLeod" wrote:

> Hi Charlie,
>
> Give this a try..........
>
> Go to Start>Run and key in:
> net.exe stop wuauserv
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
>
> Go to Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuapi.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wups.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wucltui.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 wuweb.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 jscript.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 atl.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 softpub.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> regsvr32 msxml3.dll
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
> Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
>
> Start>Run and key in:
> net.exe start wuauserv
>
> Now try the Windows Update site.
>
>
> Alternatively, you could create a command script file to run the above
> commands in a Command Prompt window......
>
> Go to Start>Run
> Key in:
> cmd
> Click on OK or hit ENTER
>
> In the Command Prompt window, key in:
> notepad registerit.cmd
> Hit ENTER
>
> A Notepad window will open with a dialogue box asking if you want to create
> a new file. Click on Yes in the dialogue box.
>
> Copy/paste the following, between but not including the asterisks, into the
> Notepad window:
>
> *********************
> net stop wuauserv
>
> regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wups.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s jscript.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s atl.dll
>
> regsvr32 /s softpub.dll
>
> net start wuauserv
> **********************
>
> When finished pasting the above commands into the Notepad window, go to
> File>Save then File>Exit.
>
>
> Back in the Command Prompt window, key in:
> registerit.cmd
> Then hit ENTER
>
> When the file is done running, and you're back at the C: prompt, key in:
> exit
> Then hit ENTER
>
> Now try the Windows Update site.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Patti MacLeod
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
>
> "Charlie" <> wrote in message
> news:557AC562-751A-4C4F-BEEC-...
> > I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a
> quick
> > answer.
> > I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months ago.
> > If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page that
> > says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software...."
> but
> > nothing happens.
> >
> > What do I need to do to get it working again?
> >
> > Thanks
>
>
>
>
>

You're very welcome! :-)



Regards,

--
Patti MacLeod
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

"CyberDawg" <> wrote in message
news:E6E768FA-66C3-46CE-9C76-...
> tytytyty THANK YOU!!! I had the same problem and after a few hours I was
> about to give up till I found this suggestion. I really can't thank you
enough
>
> "Patti MacLeod" wrote:
>
> > Hi Charlie,
> >
> > Give this a try..........
> >
> > Go to Start>Run and key in:
> > net.exe stop wuauserv
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> >
> > Go to Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuapi.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wups.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wucltui.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 wuweb.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 jscript.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 atl.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 softpub.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > regsvr32 msxml3.dll
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> > Click on OK in the RegSvr32 dialogue box
> >
> > Start>Run and key in:
> > net.exe start wuauserv
> >
> > Now try the Windows Update site.
> >
> >
> > Alternatively, you could create a command script file to run the above
> > commands in a Command Prompt window......
> >
> > Go to Start>Run
> > Key in:
> > cmd
> > Click on OK or hit ENTER
> >
> > In the Command Prompt window, key in:
> > notepad registerit.cmd
> > Hit ENTER
> >
> > A Notepad window will open with a dialogue box asking if you want to
create
> > a new file. Click on Yes in the dialogue box.
> >
> > Copy/paste the following, between but not including the asterisks, into
the
> > Notepad window:
> >
> > *********************
> > net stop wuauserv
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wups.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s jscript.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s atl.dll
> >
> > regsvr32 /s softpub.dll
> >
> > net start wuauserv
> > **********************
> >
> > When finished pasting the above commands into the Notepad window, go to
> > File>Save then File>Exit.
> >
> >
> > Back in the Command Prompt window, key in:
> > registerit.cmd
> > Then hit ENTER
> >
> > When the file is done running, and you're back at the C: prompt, key in:
> > exit
> > Then hit ENTER
> >
> > Now try the Windows Update site.
> >
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > --
> > Patti MacLeod
> > Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User
> >
> > "Charlie" <> wrote in message
> > news:557AC562-751A-4C4F-BEEC-...
> > > I'm assuming this is a common enough problem that someone will have a
> > quick
> > > answer.
> > > I have a couple of machines that stopped getting updates a few months
ago.
> > > If I go to Windows Update on the Tools menu in IE, I get to the page
that
> > > says "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update
software...."
> > but
> > > nothing happens.
> > >
> > > What do I need to do to get it working again?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >