Windows update hangs

[ICT_GUY]

When I try to check for updates, the server just hangs there. I can't close or move the window. Other people seem to have this problem, I just wondered if there was an obvious fix.

 

I have managed to run it once successfully.

[ICT_GUY]

1. Click Start

2. Type ‘cmd’ in the search bar.

3. Right click Command prompt and choose “Run as Administrator”

4. At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

a. net stop wuauserv

 

b. net stop bits

 

c. net stop cryptsvc

 

Please do not close the Command Prompt window.

 

 

 

Rename folders pertaining to Windows Update.

 

At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command:

a) ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old

 

b) ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

 

At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

 

a) net start wuauserv

 

b) net start bits

 

c) net start cryptsvc

 

This got it to stop hanging, so far. :-/ Don't know what was upsetting it though :-(

[ICT_GUY]

My best guess on this was forwarders not being set up correctly for DNS.

 

Fixed and happy now.

[ICT_GUY]

I lied, It still keeps hanging. I get to install updates then I have to repeat the above.

[Zourous]

Maybe try a few updates at a time to see if it is a particular one screwing things up!

[ICT_GUY]

All updates seem to complete eventually, Windows update seems to be problematic on all my servers but this is the worst. I do wonder if its something to do with SWGL and their proxy.

 

I am fighting my way through the updates atm.

[Zourous]

I guess if you had a proxy bypass address, you would have used it.

[ICT_GUY]

Im not going through a local proxy, just the swgfl one. There is no bypass that you don't have to loginto :-(

[CHR1S]

Having the exact same issue today on a fresh VM install of 2012 .... weird

[mrbios]

Both of you on VMware VMs? What version?

 

Was an issue in vSphere 5 pre update 1 if you had an old version of vmware tools that caused this. Unlikely in this instance i guess but still something to look out for.

[ICT_GUY]

Mine is a fresh install on a dedicated server.

 

It has updated and it has downloaded the new updates but it just freezes up.

[CHR1S]

Install of new updates sits at 99%

 

Hyper-V 3 (thats the 2012 version right)

[CHR1S]

My issue seems to be fixed here now. Probably an MS issue or what not

[AJWhite1970]

Just to help with your troubleshooting, I've just checked Windows Updates going through the SWGfL proxy on my 2012 servers and no issues or hangs

 

Andrew

[ICT_GUY]

Just to help with your troubleshooting, I've just checked Windows Updates going through the SWGfL proxy on my 2012 servers and no issues or hangs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew

Cheers. Can I ask you what swgfl dns servers you are using for your forwarders? Please.

 

I have 62.171.194.104 & 105

[AJWhite1970]

Cheers. Can I ask you what swgfl dns servers you are using for your forwarders? Please.

 

I have 62.171.194.104 & 105

 

Yep, exactly the same settings here with a 5s timeout and "Do not use recursion for this domain" unticked.

 

Andrew

[ICT_GUY]

I think I have tracked this down.

 

I rather foolishly let windows update install a new network driver. Reverting back to the HP driver has fixed this issue. Once again I have learned that microsoft cannot be trusted when it comes to installing drivers :-(

[Zourous]

With drivers I tend to folow the old saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it". A colleague of mine updated a printer driver on the network (because it was newer and available, no other reason), that turned out to be more dodgy than the old current one. I then couldn't get hold of the old current one, and this lead to no end of problems.

[ICT_GUY]

Ok this is really starting to annoy me.

 

Update

 

I have used the Netsh winhttp import proxy source=ie to import the windows update settings to the server. I am using updateproxy.swgfl.org.uk for updating.

 

The server will now run the update. However, two windows 7 workstations are having a hell of a job updating.

 

Is there any voodoo that I am unaware of that you do without thinking that I have missed out?

 

ATM I am thinking it's something obvious, a network switch issue or a swgfl issue.

 

All insights would be useful as I am tearing my hair out at this and I have real work that I need to do!

[CHR1S]

Issue reared its head again, server 2012 - I found that just leaving it, sometimes for a few hours let it complete normally. Its all very hit and miss however as its random times and random durations.

 

The only factor that remains the same is I get Windows Update is not responding errors, these also pass with time.

[ICT_GUY]

Setting updateproxy.swgfl.org.uk and then running Netsh winhttp import proxy source=ie <<< seems to do the trick.

 

Everything is working now, slowly but reliably. It seems to be related to updated versions of the update client. The older they are the more flakey they are. Well certainly whilst sitting behind swgfl proxies anyhow. I am STILL updating servers, it is taking forever but it is working!