Server 2012 Standard - Windows update not working

[Harry1980]

Hi All,

 

I setup a server 2012 few years back for training purposes at home. It was switched off for a few years, now I have decided to do a bit of training and started the server. I am trying to do Windows Updates but nothing happens. It just stays in the state Checking for updates...... forever. I have tried checking online and tried some of the suggestions but nothing seems to work.

 

Any suggestions will be most appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Guest Guest]

I'd download and install the latest culmulative update manually, that'll probably resolve the issue going forward

[JonThompson]

You’ll probably need to install the latest servicing stack update manually before it’ll patch.

 

April 2021 seems to be the most recent: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5001401-servicing-stack-update-for-windows-server-2012-april-13-2021-a129a25e-6ccd-4672-8005-2907dc8957a4

[Harry1980]

Thanks I'll try both.

 

I have also just noticed that the server is using the virtual network switch as I have Hyper-V Manager setup on the server. Could that be the issue?

[Harry1980]

How do I manually download the servicing stack update? I'm just going around in circles for some reason. lol

 

How to get this updateMethod 1: Windows Update

This update is available through Windows Update. It will be downloaded and installed automatically. 

Method 2: Microsoft Update Catalog

To get the stand-alone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

Method 3: Windows Server Update Services

This update is also available through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

 

My windows update doesn't work and I don't have WSUS setup on the server. I have checked the Windows Update Catalog and I can't seem to find where to download the SSU. Can anyone please send me the link to the download.

 

Thanks

[JonThompson]

Go to the Microsoft Update catalog and search for the KB top right corner.

 

Click the download button on the right of the required update and download the update to your computer. Copy it to a memory stick or network drive and run it on the server.

 

It might take awhile to install so you’ll need to be patient.

[Harry1980]

Would I be better off setting up WSUS?

[JonThompson]

WSUS won’t help with this problem.

 

Whilst WSUS is great for managing updates across your server and PC estate, it still relies on the machines windows update services to install the patches, so if that’s goosed then you’ll just get an error.

 

Have you tried stopping the wuauserv and BITS services, renaming the softwaredistribution folder, and then restarting the services and installing the patch?

 

The other option is to stop the service and then try the patch as it won’t then try and check for previously installed updates before installing.

[Harry1980]

It wouldn't download on the server so have to download it on my laptop and then used a memory stick. I started the process last night around 11pm. It have been searching for updates on this computer since then. Does it take that long?

[JonThompson]

Not that long usually. Did you stop the wuauserv service first before running the update?

 

I presume you’ve checked to make sure the disks not low on space?

 

Have you tried repairing the windows update issue using dism? (See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/deployment/fix-windows-update-errors)

 

Have you done an sfc /scannow to check for OS corruption?

[JonThompson]

Not that long usually. Did you stop the wuauserv service first before running the update?

 

I presume you’ve checked to make sure the disks not low on space?

 

Have you tried repairing the windows update issue using dism? (See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/deployment/fix-windows-update-errors)

 

Have you done an sfc /scannow to check for OS corruption?

 

One other thing, does the server have direct internet access or are you behind a proxy/firewall?

[colly72]

We run a batch file when we experience updates problems, that often fixes things, on desktops at least. Here's what's in our batch file:

 

REG Delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate /v SusClientId /f

REG Delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate /v SusClientIdValidation /f

 

gpupdate

net stop wuauserv /y

net stop BITS /y

rd C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution /s /Q

del "c:\windows\windowsupdate.log"

regsvr32 WUAPI.DLL /s

regsvr32 WUAUENG.DLL /s

regsvr32 WUAUENG1.DLL /s

regsvr32 ATL.DLL /s

regsvr32 WUCLTUI.DLL /s

regsvr32 WUPS.DLL /s

regsvr32 WUPS2.DLL /s

regsvr32 WUWEB.DLL /s

regsvr32 msxml3.dll /s

net start wuauserv /y

wuauclt.exe /resetauthorization /detectnow