W7 Update Service "not running" but is

[T42]

I just tried to update my W7 and got a message saying "can't: update service not running". I rebooted, tried again, same result. Opened the services manager: the service is running. Restarted it just in case: no effect.

Any ideas?

[liam_whippet]

Had this myself. Bit of corruption in its list of updates, apparently.

1) Go to Administrative Tools | Services, and stop the Windows Update service.

2) Go to the Windows folder. Rename the folder called SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution-old. [or whatever]

3) Go back to Administrative Tools | Services, and start the Windows Update service.

4) Then try another Windows Update.

Should now work fine; after which you can delete the old folder, cos it will have built a new working one!

[Mr Larrington]

Similar thing on my W10 laptop last month.  One update repeatedly wouldn't install.  After subjecting it to the above treatment it eventually decided that, oh look, I'm up to date after all

[Pingu]

Had this myself. Bit of corruption in its list of updates, apparently.

1) Go to Administrative Tools | Services, and stop the Windows Update service.

2) Go to the Windows folder. Rename the folder called SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution-old. [or whatever]

3) Go back to Administrative Tools | Services, and start the Windows Update service.

4) Then try another Windows Update.

Should now work fine; after which you can delete the old folder, cos it will have built a new working one!

I had to do this last night 

[T42]

Thanks, Liam. Ticking over nicely now.