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Windows Update cannot currently check for updates [Full Fix]
8 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Serious issues with Windows Update can sometimes occur, even if you’re expecting the best when a new version becomes available.
Many users reportedWindowsUpdate cannot currently check for updates because you must first restart the computer so that a previous installation can be completedmessage on their PC.
This message can be quite problematic, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix it.
How can I fix Windows Update cannot check for updates?
1. Edit your registry
According to users, sometimes theWindowsUpdate cannot currently check for updatesmessage can appear due to problems with your registry.
Windows createsRebootRequiredkey when Windows Update starts, and once the update process is finished, this key is removed.
Unfortunately, sometimes issues with Windows Update can occur, and the key won’t get deleted by Windows. However, you can fix the problem simply by removing that key manually.
After making these changes, restart your PC and the problem should be resolved.
2. Make sure that your date and time are correct
If you’re gettingWindowsUpdate cannot currently check for updatesmessage, the problem might be your date and time.
If your date or time isn’t correct, you might not be able to check for updates. However, you can easily fix this problem by readjusting your date and time. To do that, just follow the above steps.
After doing that, check if the problem is still there. If you want, you can also use theChangebutton to manually adjust your date and time.
3. Make sure that the necessary services are running
According to users, you can experienceWindows Update cannot currently check for updatesmessage because the necessary services aren’t running.
To fix this problem, it’s advised to start BITS and Windows Update services manually. After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved and everything should start working again.
4. Delete the corrupted Windows log file
If you’re unable to update your system due toWindowsUpdate cannot currently check for updatesmessage, the problem might be a corrupted log file.
To fix this issue, it’s recommended to find that log file and remove it or rename it. After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved and you’ll be able to install updates again.
Several users reportedThe action can’t be completed because the file is open in Application Experiencemessage while trying to edit this file.
If this happens, it’s advised to start your PC inSafe Modeand try to rename or remove the file again.
To do that, just follow these steps:
After you boot to Safe Mode, locate the log file and rename it or delete it.
5. Reset Windows Update components
SometimesWindows Update cannot currently check for updatesmessage can appear because Windows Update components aren’t working properly.
This can occur for various reasons, and the best way to fix this problem is to reset Windows Update components. This is relatively simple to do, and you can do it by following the above steps.
After these commands are executed, check if the problem is still there.
If you find this solution a bit tedious due to all these commands that you have to run, you can alwayscreate Windows Update Reset script. Use it to run them automatically.
6. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
According to users, theWindows update cannot currently check for updatesmessage can sometimes appear if there’s an issue with Windows Update.
However, Windows 10 comes with various troubleshooters, and you can use them to fix common problems.
If you’re having issues with Windows Update, you might be able to solve the problem simply by running Windows Update troubleshooter.
Once the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem is still there.
7. Install the update manually
If you’re gettingWindows update cannot currently check for updates, you might be able to circumvent the issue simply by manually installing the updates.
In case you don’t know, you can download the Windows Updates manually and install them on your own.
Before you can do that, you need to get the update code. The code has a KB prefix and it’s followed by an array of numbers, and you can easily find it in the Windows Update section.
After completing the procedure, you should have the latest updates installed and the issue should be resolved.
8. Perform an in-place upgrade
Windows update cannot currently check for updatescan appear if there’s an issue with Windows Update, but you can fix this problem by performing an in-place upgrade.
In case you don’t know, an in-place upgrade will force your system to update and reinstall it while keeping all your files intact.
Once the setup is finished, check if the problem with Windows Update is still there.
Windows Update cannot currently check for updatescan be a problematic error, and prevent you from downloading updates, but we hope that you managed to fix it using one of our solutions.
The above solutions may be applied to all these common problems reported by users:
More about the topics:Windows Update
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.