Windows Update Service Turning Off: 7 Ways to Fix This Issue

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Windows Update Service Turning Off

Windows always puts forth their best effort to offer regular updates so that you can keep your system safe and up-to-date. It usually happens automatically, but you can also do it manually.

Unfortunately, this specific and useful service may turn off or even fail, leaving your system vulnerable and opening the floodgates for all sorts of problems.

Fortunately, here is an article where you will find some easy fixes to this specific issue. Therefore, continue reading.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Running the Windows Update troubleshooter is probably the easiest of all solutions for Windows Update service turning off.
  • You may use the Command Prompt to run different commands for running SFC and DISM scans to identify and fix the problem.
  • Resetting Windows is also a useful fix for this issue.
  • You can also change the service status to running, and startup type to automatic to prevent the Windows Update service from turning off.
  • Often, performing a clean boot to remove the conflicting Windows and third-party services may also help in a great way to resolve the issue.

Why Does Windows Update Service Keep Turning Off?

The issue of the Windows Update service turning off is primarily caused by the issues with the software and system files installed on your PC, just as they create other programs as well.

Also, the Startup type and Status may not be set properly and the wuauserv may keep disabling itself, thereby causing the issue.

The service may also turn off due to issues with Windows Update itself, such as a corrupt file or virus existing in it.

There are some other causes for this particular problem, which include:

  • Improper settings of the startup type and service status
  • Conflicting software and programs
  • Disabled Automatic Updates feature

Whatever the reason for the issue may be, it will be unwise to ignore such disturbances. You can fix the problem with some easy solutions mentioned below.

How to Fix Windows Update Service Turning Off?

Windows Update Service Turning Off

On a Windows PC, you may resolve the issue of the Windows Update service turning off by running a few specific commands in the Command Prompt. These commands will check and repair the software or system files that may be causing it.

Apart from that, you can also try out some other fixes, which include and are not limited to the following:

  • Running a clean boot
  • Restarting Windows Update service
  • Configuring Automatic Updates
  • Running antivirus software and removing the viruses and malware
  • Resetting Windows

Continue reading to find the solutions to this specific issue described.

Method 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

A simple fix to the issue of Windows Update turning off is to run the troubleshooter. It will detect and repair the internal problems, if any.

STEPS TO FIX:

Settings from start menu

  • Click on Update & Security from the new window.

Update & Security

  • Select Troubleshoot from the left pane.
  • Click on Additional troubleshooters on the bottom right side of the window.
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Additional troubleshooters

  • Click on Windows Update.

Windows Update

Finally, click on ‘Run the troubleshooter.’

Method 2: Reset Windows

Another simple and quick fix to follow if you still find that the Windows Updates service is turning off is to perform a Windows reset.

This process will typically remove some apps that may be creating problems with the normal operation of Windows.

STEPS TO FIX:

Windows PowerShell (Admin)

  • Type in the command systemreset.

systemreset

  • Press Enter.
  • Choose the option Keep my files.

Keep my files

  • Click on the Next button in the following window.

Your apps will be removed

  • Finally, click on the Reset button to start the process.

Ready to reset this PC

The process will take some time, and when Windows is reset, you must reboot the system. Now, it will not turn off when you run the Windows Update service.

Method 3: Check and Change Startup Type and Service Status

If the above steps do not help in resolving the issue, then the startup type and service status may be set incorrectly. You will need to make changes in order to bring things back to normal.

This is, however, a relatively complex and long method.

STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to the Search box.
  • Type services in it.
  • Press Enter.

Type services in search box

  • Scroll down to look for Windows Update in the Service Window.

(You may type in windows on your keyboard to jump to it.)

  • If it is disabled, right-click on it and restart the service.
  • Now, double-click on it.

Windows Update in the Service Window

  • See whether the Startup type is set to automatic or to manual.
  • Also check whether Service status is running or stopped.

Both of these settings need to be automatic and running and not as Manual and running, as shown in the image above.

If it is not, then change the Startup type to Automatic by clicking on the arrow at the end of the box, and the service status to running by clicking on the start button, as the case may be.

However, it may not be a permanent fix. For that, there are a couple other things that you need to do, as follows:

  • Go to the Search box.
  • Type run there.
  • Press Enter.

Run app

  • Type regedit in the Run box.
  • Click on the OK button or press Enter.

regedit in the Run box

In the Registry Editor window, click on the arrow next to the following folders one by one:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  • SYSTEM
  • CurrentControlSet
  • Services

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE expand

Within the expansion of the Services folder, scroll down below to find the wuauserv folder. (You may type wu on your keyboard to reach there quickly.)

  • Right-click on it.
  • Click on Permissions from the drop-down menu.

wuauserv

In the Permissions for wuauserv window, select every item under ‘Group or user names’ and check the box next to Full Control and under Allow, one by one, clicking on the Apply button every time.

Permissions for wuauserv

Finally, click on the OK button.

  • Now, go back to the Windows Update Properties (Local Computer) window as you did at the beginning of this method.
  • Change the Startup type to Automatic if it is set to Manual or any other for wuauserv, by clicking on the small arrow at the far end of the box.
  • Click on the Start button under Service status.
  • Click on the Apply and OK buttons respectively.
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Windows Update Properties (Local Computer)

  • Now, go to the Dependencies tab to check the components on which the Windows Update service depends. Close the window.

go to the Dependencies tab

Check for any service in the Services window with the words ‘Remote Procedure Call (RPC)’ marked above and change the settings of every one of them to Automatic. You must also click on the Start button if these services are stopped.

Finally, go back to the Service window and check whether or not you have a service called stopupdates10service in the list of services. If there is one such service, double click on it, set the Startup type to disabled, and click on the Apply button first and then on the OK button.

Method 4: Run Different Sets of Commands in Command Prompt

If the problem still persists, then you will need to change and set them correctly by using a few specific commands on the Command Prompt.

STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to the Run box.
  • Type cmd in the box.
  • Press Enter.

Command Prompt

Now, type in the following commands one by one, pressing Enter every time:

  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  • Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
  • Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.bak
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver

Finally, run the sfc /scannow command to repair any corrupted system file.

This will take some time. So, be patient.

When you are done executing the above commands, exit from the Command Prompt and restart your system. Now, the Windows Update service will run automatically and will not turn off as before.

However, there may be some other internal problems in your system files and software that may still turn off Windows Updates service automatically.

In that case you will need to use a different set of commands again on the Command Prompt which will help in fixing the issue. Some of these commands are similar to the ones you used above.

The commands to be executed in the exact order as listed are:

  • reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update” /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
  • sc config wuauserv start= auto
  • net stop bits
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop appidsvc
  • net stop cryptsvc
  • Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start appidsvc
  • net start cryptsvc

Finally, type exit to save the settings and close the Command Prompt Window.

Now, restart your computer and see whether or not the issue has been resolved.

Method 5: Run Both System File Checker and DISM Commands

There may be some problems in the installation of Windows which may turn off the updates. You should remediate it by using a few specific commands, again.

STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to the Command Prompt as above and run as administrator.
  • Type the command sfc /scannow.

Let the verification process to be complete and when you see the error message, enter the following Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.exe) lines of command, one at a time, and pressing Enter every time:

  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Method 6: Clean Boot Your System

There may be a few third-party software programs that are conflicting with the regular Windows services available on your system.

Performing a clean boot after closing other conflicting startup apps from the Task Manager will stop that and identify any software programs that may be causing the Windows Update service to turn off and fix it.

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STEPS TO FIX:

  • First, to close the conflicting Startup apps, apps, right-click on any blank space on the Taskbar.
  • Select Task Manager.

Task Manager

  • Go to the Startup tab on the Task Manager window.
  • Look for the apps marked as Enabled under the Status column.
  • Right-click on each of them.
  • One by one, disable all of them.

Disable startup apps

  • Now, go to the Run box.
  • Type msconfig in the box.
  • Click on the OK button.

msconfig

  • Click on the Services tab in the System Configuration window.
  • Check the small square box next to ‘Hide all Microsoft services.’
  • Click on the Disable all button at the right.

Services tab in the System Configuration window

  • Click on the Apply button and then on the OK button.

Finally, reboot your PC and run Windows Update again to check whether or not the issue has been resolved.

Method 7: Configure Automatic Updates

If the Automatic Updates feature is turned off, you may face this problem of Windows Update service turning off. In that case, you will need to turn it on and configure it using the Group Policy Editor to fix the issue.

STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to the Search box.
  • Type edit group policy in the box.
  • Press Enter.

edit group policy

  • In the Local Group Policy Editor window, click on the small arrow next to Computer Configuration on the left pane.
  • Click on the arrow next to the Administrative Templates folder.
  • Also, click on the arrow beside the Windows Components folder.

Local Group Policy Editor

  • Scroll down to find the Windows Updates folder.
  • Double-click on it.
  • Right-click on Configure Automatic Updates on the Extended page on the right side of the Local Group Policy Editor window.
  • Click on the Edit option from the drop-down menu.

Windows Updates folder.

  • Click on the small circle next to Enabled in the Configure Automatic Updates window.

Configure Automatic Updates window

Finally, click on the OK button.

Conclusion

the Windows Update service turning off is a common issue that can leave your system vulnerable and lead to other problems.

There are several reasons why this may happen, including conflicts with other software, improper settings, and viruses.

Fortunately, there are some easy fixes that you can try to resolve the issue, such as running the Windows Update troubleshooter, running SFC and DISM scans, resetting Windows, changing the service status to running and automatic, and performing a clean boot.

By following the steps mentioned above, you can get your Windows Update service back up and running smoothly.

Don’t neglect the issue, as it can lead to more significant problems down the road.

About Dominic Chooper

AvatarDominic Chooper, an alumnus of Texas Tech University (TTU), possesses a profound expertise in the realm of computer hardware. Since his early childhood, Dominic has been singularly passionate about delving deep into the intricate details and inner workings of various computer systems. His journey in this field is marked by over 12 years of dedicated experience, which includes specialized skills in writing comprehensive reviews, conducting thorough testing of computer components, and engaging in extensive research related to computer technology. Despite his professional engagement with technology, Dominic maintains a distinctive disinterest in social media platforms, preferring to focus his energies on his primary passion of understanding and exploring the complexities of computer hardware.

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Dominic Chooper
Dominic Chooper, an alumnus of Texas Tech University (TTU), possesses a profound expertise in the realm of computer hardware. Since his early childhood, Dominic has been singularly passionate about delving deep into the intricate details and inner workings of various computer systems. His journey in this field is marked by over 12 years of dedicated experience, which includes specialized skills in writing comprehensive reviews, conducting thorough testing of computer components, and engaging in extensive research related to computer technology. Despite his professional engagement with technology, Dominic maintains a distinctive disinterest in social media platforms, preferring to focus his energies on his primary passion of understanding and exploring the complexities of computer hardware.
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