[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
It worked….currently downloading 68 updates.
THANKS!!!!
Got the error adding the BITS registry entries like others did, and found I was still unable to Check for updates after a reboot.
However, as previously mentioned, Changing the update settings to “Never check for updates” then checking manually worked like a dream.
Thanks very much!
Thank you for the help. It worked and I’m rounding out my head to the way it was.
Nice fix. It worked for me.
Thank you very much… Problem SOLVED 🙂
Great Fix!!! only one I found that has worked. TY
Thanks, thanks thanks thanks . Been struggling with this for 2 days and this worked first time.
I think I love you…..
You are a champion, thank you! I also had a zeroaccess infection cleaned off and the MS site was USELESS to help getting the update running again.
BTW, I had to also do wscsvc and windefend, in addition to wuauserv and bits and I’m sure I’ll find something else…
Thanks again. It makes me feel better that with all that malware crap out there, there are still decent people who help others. You restored my faith in humanity. 🙂
great job man. really fix it. thank you.
cheers for the help now my laptop is finally updating woohoo
This worked when nothing else did. Thank you very much!
This worked a charm, I only needed wuauserv. Wish I would of come here 4 hours ago 😉
I double clicked bits.reg and wuauserv.reg from Seven folder. Went fine. But restarting still doesn’t show up BITS and windows Update service in Services.console.
Windows update still not working.
Am I missing something?
Alok,
Try Tweaking.com’s tool here:
http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html
I haven’t tried it yet, but will next time I can’t fix it manually.
Thank you very, very much!!!!
I just used the Windows Repair-All in one tool from Tweaking.com and right after I ran this I restarted the laptop I’m working on and I clicked on Windows update and guess what, no more error!
It’s checking for updates as I’m writing my praises to who ever developed this tool, kudos and thanks very much for your help, you truly are “da man”!!! ;-D
Wew. This is nice. Used this in assisting my customer and works like a charm.
anyway, I have saved all the reg files and uploaded it on my skidrive and share it as public. If any case the download server will be down, you can download it here: https://skydrive.live.com/#cid=9A23A1E1164BA10F&id=9A23A1E1164BA10F%21356
Thanks again..!
After everything I found on the web and even on the Microsoft website itself it kept repeating the same error. I realized I had deleted a trojan a month ago, via the registry and didn’t think anything of it until my computer stopped updating. Thanks so much, my Vaio is working awesome!
worked GREAT! thanks
it worked with me thanks a lot for your help
After i installed Trend Micro I could not get any updates in fact anything to do with security, I have tried everything for months to no avail, I managed to get updates running today, but not BITS, until I found your forum, I have to thank you for your information i.e. cache of reg. keys and followed for BITS reg, and it worked, I have just downloaded 80+ updates, thank you again
I checked al for Windows Repair-All in one tool from Tweaking.com and everything is working now.
Thanks to whoever did the application.
After months of struggles, sucess finally. Thank you very much!
Thank tou .. It works really well
Worked for me! Thank you very much!
IT totally worked! THANK YOU! It was easy to do, you don’t have to be a pro, just follow the directions and go slow!!!
Thank you so much man , it worked 🙂
Windows update on my laptop was non-functional. The Bits.reg would not complete, due to running processes. I tried running in safe mode with no success. As last resort I ran the tweak solution with only the Windows update fix checked and it worked flawlessly. Thank you very much.
Tremendous!!! Solution for the ages… I worked seamlessly with out any problems. Thank you for all your help.
You are awesome!!!!
Performed this fix. And it worked perfectly. After fix. Downloaded all my windows updates. And during the restarts bit defender found two Trojans. And we’re removed. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work and helping others. And me of course.
I have been trying to fix this for a week. I’ve tried everything! This worked perfectly.
super. and I’m no techy.
The Seven.zip file worked for me after three days of trying to figure this out!! Can’t thank you enough!
After a long search for a solution you were the only one that had an easy solution. I hope you are not wasting your talent…. Thanks a lot!!!!
So far, so good. It appears to be working. I had to go to step 2 and download the VISTA.ZIP file from “Smartest Computing’s cache of registry keys”. I was only missing the BITS file, so that was the only one I pulled out and double-clicked. I then restarted my computer and checked to see if it showed up in Services. It did and it said it was running so I went back to Windows Update and tried again. It downloaded the updates and is in the process of installing them now. Fingers crossed that I do not encounter any other problems. The update feature has not been working since the beginning of January so there are a lot of updates that need installing.
An update to my previous comment. Windows Update is complete. I was able to fully download and install the updates. This worked!
I previously tried multiple other suggestions found on other websites which did not help at all. This was the simplest suggestion and it worked.
thank you so much this fixed it perfectly
I have tried some many things and could not get them to work. I tried your solution and it worked. Thanks a million.
I spent whole day trying to fix this windows update issue before I found your advise.
Thank you so much, it worked like a charm.
Have a nice day!
It Worked. Thanks a Lot.
Worked great for me! Thanks!
I had the same problem. ZeroAccess trojan deleted Widows update and bits registry keys. Download your files and the fix was so simple and easy. Thanks for your help with!!!!!!
Thanks! This works Extremely well.
Just download, double click the download and click on the files you need. Perfect!
Why can’t everything else be this easy.
No problems. No additional add-ons required.
It worked!
Thank you so much! It works like a charm! I spent 3 days trying to find a fix for this.
To add to the accolades, this has worked for me as well. I’ve been looking for a solution for almost 3wks now..amazing. Thanks a bunch!
Used the link from #2 and it worked beautifully.
Perfect! I hadn’t even thought about updates for awhile but decided to do a manual check today and realized it hadn’t installed an update since July of last year. Tried to run and failed and with a little research discovered my BITS service was missing. Tried restoring the service with sc create BITS binpath= “c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs” start= delayed-auto but when trying to start got an error that it couldn’t find the file specified. Came across this and remembered I had the ZeroAccess trojan. Applied this fix and am now happily installing 130 long overdue updates! Thanks!