If Windows 10 stays on “Checking for updates,” start with Microsoft’s built-in Windows Update troubleshooter, restart, and check again. If the scan still doesn’t return, confirm the PC has a working internet connection and enough free disk space, back up your personal files, and only then try the service and cache steps Microsoft documents for specific errors. No single step is guaranteed to clear every stuck scan.
What the Windows 10 end-of-support date means for this problem
Microsoft states: “After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10.” Microsoft also says a Windows 10 PC will still work and recommends moving to Windows 11.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That date has passed, so it matters in two ways. It explains why you may not see new updates at all. It does not explain a scan that hangs. A hanging scan is a troubleshooting fault, and the steps below address that fault. They cannot restore free updates or support after the end date. If you need continued security coverage, check Microsoft’s current Windows 10 lifecycle information, because this guide does not cover those options.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The fix sequence
Work through these steps in order. Each one is low-risk, and you can stop as soon as the scan completes.
#1 Best Overall
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update, select Run the troubleshooter, and follow its prompts. Menu wording can vary by version and interface. If the path differs, open Settings, search for “troubleshoot,” and look for the Windows Update entry.
- Restart and check again. When the troubleshooter finishes, restart the PC. Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- Confirm the basics. Make sure the PC has a working internet connection and enough free disk space. Open Settings > System > Storage to see how much space is free. A restart can also clear an interrupted process, so if you skipped it in step 2, do it now.
Microsoft notes that download and installation time depends on connection speed, network settings, and update size. That applies once an update is actively downloading or installing. It does not make a scan that never returns normal.
Back up before deeper changes
Microsoft’s troubleshooting guide recommends backing up personal files before trying its solutions, and describes copying important files to a USB drive. Do this before the service or cache steps below. Copy documents, photos, and anything you cannot replace to external storage, then open a few of the copies to confirm they work.
Rank #2
- 15.6" diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView, 220 nits, 45% NTSC.
Escalation: service and cache steps for specific errors
Microsoft’s guide includes stopping the Windows Update service, clearing the contents of C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution, and starting the service again. It presents these for specified update and cache errors. Use them when an error or symptom matches that guidance, not as a first reflex.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Open Command Prompt as administrator: click Start, type
cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator. - Run
net stop wuauserv. - Open File Explorer to
C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionand delete the contents of that folder. Leave the folder itself in place. - Run
net start wuauserv. - Return to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
If a command returns an error, write down the exact message and any error code before going further, because Microsoft’s error-code guidance is specific to those codes. Do not extend this to other Windows folders or to third-party “cleaner” tools. This guide does not establish that either is safe or necessary.
Rank #3
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
- 12GB system memory for full-power multitasking
- 256GB Solid State Drive
- 15.6" Micro-edge touchscreen display
Identify which stage is stuck
A scan, a download, and an installation fail in different ways, and they call for different starting points. To confirm your exact build, press Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter.
| What you see | What it usually indicates | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| “Checking for updates” never returns results | The scan has not completed | Steps 1 to 3, then escalation if an error matches |
| Download stuck at 0% or 100% | A separate download or installation progress symptom that Microsoft’s guide covers on its own | Follow Microsoft’s guidance for that symptom; steps 1 to 3 still apply |
| Installation stalls at a percentage | The update is in the install stage | Check connection and storage first; see Microsoft’s guide for stalled installs |
Older builds: Microsoft’s automatic scan repair
Microsoft documents an automatic repair troubleshooter for devices that are not scanning for updates for internal reasons. It resets the update scanning process and applies to affected Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909 devices. Microsoft says it cannot be run manually, so there is no tool to download or launch yourself. If winver shows one of those builds and the scan still hangs after steps 1 to 3, this is the Microsoft guidance that applies to your PC.
Rank #4
- Latitude 7480 Laptop 14"
- Intel Core i7 6th Gen i7-6600U -Core Processor 2.6GHz (3.4GHz With Turbo Boost)
- 256 GB SSD Hard Drive & 16GB Memory
- 1920x1080 FHD resolution Non-Touch with Webcam and an integrated graphics chip
- Wireless Wifi & Bluetooth
How the options compare
| Option | Effort and risk | Best match | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Update troubleshooter | Low; automated checks | Any stuck scan, first attempt | Menu path varies by version |
| Restart and recheck | Lowest | Interrupted processes | Microsoft publishes no success rate |
| Connection and storage checks | Low | Scans or downloads that point to network or disk space | Only useful when the symptom or error points there |
| Backup of personal files | Low effort; protects data | Before any deeper change | Does not fix updates |
| Service and cache reset | Moderate; changes services and the contents of SoftwareDistribution | Specific errors listed in Microsoft’s guide | Not a universal first step |
| Automatic scan repair | No user action; cannot be run manually | Affected Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909 devices | Not described for other versions |
What to record if the scan is still stuck
If none of the steps helps, gather these details before contacting support or searching for an error code:
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11- The Windows 10 build from winver
- Whether the troubleshooter completed and what it reported
- Whether the symptom is a scan, a download, or an installation
- The exact error code or message, if one appears
- Whether the connection and free-space checks passed
Microsoft’s Windows Update Troubleshooter page and its “Troubleshoot problems updating Windows” guide are the primary references for these steps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
