[SOLUTION] Windows Update and BITS services missing
You get: “Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer.” on Windows 7 when checking for updates.
In my case, this happened on two computers that both were infected with the ZeroAccess trojan. The reason this message appears is that the malware deleted the registry keys for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and Windows Update (wuauserv).
I searched and searched today, but came up empty trying to find a utility or easy fix. Thankfully, I previously figured this out and here is what to do: (this is an advanced fix and I highly recommend leaving it for professionals; I cannot support you if this causes problems)
1. Run SERVICES.MSC after hitting WINDOWS-R and look for Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service in the list of services. If they are missing, keep going.
2. Visit Smartest Computing’s cache of registry keys. Click Download at the top and save the SEVEN.ZIP (or adapt this if your OS is different) and pull out the bits.reg and wuauserv.reg, double-click each one and restart the computer.
3. Leave a comment if this worked or not. There are times when the files have been changes or removed that this wouldn’t work.
[UPDATE 4/2013] If this doesn’t work for you, Tweaking.com has an All-in-One Windows repair tools that has had success with some: http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html I’m interested in feedback on that tool.
[UPDATE 11/2013] Some users have been able to repair Windows XP with this advice here: http://www.philmorgan.net/techie-tools/windows-update-bits-background-intelligent-transfer-service-fix-batch-file-for-windows-xp
Oh my gosh!!!!…this work for me. I was trying to fix it for the last 6 months.
Thank you so much
Gavina
Thanks Brian, this has solved my updates problem and now updates is back up and running
Bobbyray
Thanks bud, it worked beautifully.
I used the reg files from Vista.zip as that was my OS
wuauserv is also necessary to download the Windows 8 $40 upgrade.
People, such as I, who are repaving after a malware misadventure and are choosing to use the Windows 8 Upgrade will find this article helpful.
Great. Solved my issue in seconds
thanks, worked when nothing else helped!
Worked like a champ. Thought I was hosed for good and this was very easy to do.
It worked to me but only after a long fight… I had the malware Rootkit.0Access. Everytime I restarted the PC the keys disappear from the Registry, dead point!
I used Malwarebytes Anti-Malware but the malware was also inside services.exe. To discover this, it didn’t help the emergency start. I had to install another copy of Win7 and run the Anti-Malware from there scanning the drive of the other Operating System.
It deletes the exe, but you can easily copy the original file because you have a fresh install 😉
I hope this help to complete resolve this problem in the problem.
Thanks a lot. It worked and Issue got resolve. Now updates are working. 🙂
re: bits.reg and wuauserv.reg. While I see wuauserv.reg in the extracted files, I don’t see bits.reg. there is a netbt. Close but no cigar? Also, what is Legacy_ as a prepend? OS is XP for awhile yet.
Thank you so much. Worked like a charm and I was able to download all updates.
Great tip! Thanks for helping with this problem.
Hi There i re inserted the Registry Keys without error however i am still getting the same error message saying that i can not download update because the update service is not unning but when i check the service it says that it is running i have tried to stop and restart the service with no success please help
didn’t work i’m afraid. this is driving me nuts
This actually worked, thanks a ton man I feel like I owe ya one, now I can install .net framework again!
It’s great, it work 100% for me, but first install kaspersky internet security 2013 and do the updates for it, start a quick scan, fix any infected files, restart and after that do the steps posted by Brian Morris Technologies Services.
Thanks a lot!!
Thank you so much for this fix. It worked perfectly. You are the best.
Worked! Windows 7 ultimate 64bit. Thanks so much
Worked great saved me a lot of time and aggravation. Thank you.
It worked! Thank You!
This solurion added the missing registry keys. I still had the error but all I had to do was change the WinUpd settings to never check for updates, then when I did a Check Now, it worked.
worked great!! thanks
Finally! After many hours of searching and trying, this one did the trick for. Thanks a lot Brian!
I just wish I had found your solution earlier. Many thanks to you.
You are freaking awesome!
Quick, easy, and worked perfectly.
Thanks a lot
I did add both the wuauserv and bits back into the computer. However, after a restart I did not see Windows Update in the services list, so I still cannot update or install Net Framework 4.5 🙁
Awesome!!! This solved the problem I was having with a client’s computer. Thanks!
This worked for my notebook. Well done that man.
This worked beautifully. Thanks!
Worked like a charm!…You da`man
– Had both services showing in services.msc, but still Win Update would not run. MS Fix software was a bust
– Applied your fix and even though the BITS.reg key gave an error; after a reboot, Update is working again
– thanks for being 1 of 50% of online helpers who actually give useful help without making you jump through hoops, dl 3rd party software, or just charge for BS.
I read your instructions and find that I DO have the BITS service, AND windowsupdate service as well, both are started but I still cannot get windows to update. I tried stopping and restarting both, but still get the error that “Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer”
What now, coach?
this little notebook has not had updates for a long time now.. and I’m afraid there’s going to be tons when I get this fixed.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dale
Dale,
Sorry I can’t give direct tech support, but I would probably try using a new tool that I found here: http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html
Yes yes worked so worth figuring out thanx so much! Was having problems with installing updates in windows vista running SP2.
Brian,
Just to let you know, I went to Tweaking.com and got their free “windows repair all” program. I then also got a malware checker which found nothing, and also did a file check which again, found nothing. So I then ran the Tweaking program, and now all is well!!! Thanks for the tip. Others may note that even though the “BITS and windows update services show up in the services screen, they can still be garbaged up in the registry. this program fixes them.
Dale
Brilliant, simply brilliant
YOU ARE THEEE MAN!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
This works, but on reboot after a short while my windows update reg key gets deleted automatically again.
I’ve ran many anti virus programs and mailware programs and I don’t seem to have a virus or mailware.
I’m still suspicious. Did you try MalwareBytes and HitmanPro?
I did, yes, and MalwareBytes didn’t come up with anything wrong. I don’t remember HitmanPro though. I also ran a complete file check with no suspicious problems. but like I said, the windows update started working beautifully. do you think I should still run HtmanPro?
Yes
T H A N K Y O U!!!!! Worked like a charm!!!
Love it when a solution is quick and simple. Worked perfectly!
Thank you!!!!! Thank you!!!!! Thank you!!!!! I have been trying(unsuccessfully) for days to fix this problem and you helped me do in in a few minutes. One more time Thank You!!!!!
it works for me. thanks.
Awesome, this was so frustrating. It worked perfectly.
Thank you for posting this fix. We searched many sites looking for a fix. Worked great!
YOU ARE THE BEST THANK YOU.
seeing all the positive comments here and tried it out and was glad I did! it works!! many thanks
Awsome sollution
I Googled many times for fixing windows updates
but couldnt find it
at last got it here
thank you very much
Sadly this did not work for me, I still get the “cannot check for updates” error message.
You are the MAN. Thank you so much. I also wasted hours on this. I can’t thank you enough