Windows Is Unable To Check For Updates

[Dell Boy]

I've been asked to help with a Vista Ultimate PC that is not downloading and
installing Microsoft Updates. If a manual check for updates is initiated the
user gets the error "Windows Is Unable To Check For Updates". One update,
Office 2007 SP1, has been downloaded but if the user tries to install it
Microsoft Update hangs.

This problem appears to have come about because the PC is connected to an
ADSL Modem/Router which hasn't been able to connect for three months. The
ADSL problem has now been resolved.

BITS and the Windows Update service are started and set to Automatic.

I don't have easy access to this machine but I will be able to examine it in
3 days time and would appreciate any advice that is available.

[Mark L. Ferguson]

How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows
Server Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

--

[Miles Li [MSFT]]

Hello,

Thanks for your post.

Typically the 'Windows Is Unable To Check For Updates' error message always
results from the blocking of Windows update connection attempt.

1. First, please confirm that there is no any third-party firewalls
preventing Windows update to communicate with 'update.microsoft.com'.

2. Check whether the Windows firewall is blocking the Windows update.

3. About the Office 2007 SP1 installation issue, please verify the Office
Source Engine (OSE) service is started.
- Type 'services.msc' in the command prompt and open Services MMC
- Check whether Office Source Engine (OSE) service is started.
- If not, right click and start this service. Then install the Office 2007
SP1 and check how it works.

Also I'd like to know the error code together with the 'Windows Is Unable
To Check For Updates' error message. If it is 8024402c, you can follow this
step to fix it:
1. Click Start, type services.msc in the Start Search box, and click OK.
2. Double-click "Windows Update" in the list and stop the service.
3. Click Start, type 'regedit' in the Start Search box, and click OK.
4. Backup the registry and then delete the following registry key:

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

5. Go back to the services and start the Windows Update service.
6. Try to do the updates now.

If this problem continues, I suggest that you submit a Windows Update case
to Microsoft Product Support Services so that this issue can be resolved
efficiently. Windows Update case is free of charge. To submit a Windows
Updates problem, please select "Windows Update" from the following link:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/assistsupport

Hope it helps.

[Dell Boy]

Hi Miles, thanks for your reply.

I will take this info with me when I go to work on the machine in two days
time and will post again as soon as I can thereafter.

[Dell Boy]

Hi Miles,

When I got to examine the machine it had installed the Office 2007 SP1
update but there were still some outstanding Microsoft Updates. I tried to
install them and got error 800705. However, some updates must have installed
in the background because I unexpectedly got a "Windows Needs To Restart
After Installing Updates Prompt" in the notification area. After restarting I
found I could successfully download and install all of the available updates.

[Miles Li [MSFT]]

Hello,

I am glad that the information is helpful for you. If you have any other
question, welcome to newsgroup again.

[Treblegirl]

Hi, Miles:
My error code is 80244019, which I have been unable to find in the Help
section. I also have attempted to check for updates and get the message
"Windows is unable to check for new updates", even though I have disabled the
firewall and the anti-virus protection of Norton 360. Can you help me?