Windows update error Archives

Windows Could Not Search For New Updates Error Fixed

Microsoft offers timely Windows updates to fix bugs and improve performance. According to Windows experts, you should keep Windows up-to-date at all times.

Many users have complained of receiving the error “Windows Could Not Search For New Updates”. It usually shows up its ugly face when you try to search and install windows updates. This problem might be temporary, or there could be some issue with your operating system that needs to be fixed.

We recommend users to fix the error at the earliest.

Ignoring it can cause serious problems with your computer, which is not good.

So, if you are facing this very problem and looking for a solution, this post is for you.

Solution One – Start with Resetting Winsock Catalog

Winsock is a supporting program that handles input/output requests for Internet applications in a Windows operating system.

Since installing Windows updates involves input/output requests, the Winsock catalog plays an important role in the process.

Resetting Winsock catalog means resetting Internet transmission protocols to default.

Here are the steps to follow.

Click Start
Type cmd in the search bar
Right-click cmd and then select the option shown below

In the command prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter

Let the command run and then exit command prompt

See if this fixes the error. If not, move to the next solution

Solution Two – Run System File Checker

There is a possibility some system files required by the Windows update process are missing or corrupt which is causing the error. Windows operating system has a System File Checker tool that can repair missing or corrupt system files.

The SFC tool scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted files with a cached copy stored in the System32 folder.

Here are the steps to run the SFC tool.

Open a command prompt with administrator rights( Refers to steps given in Solution One)
In the command prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter on the keyboard.

Let the command run and then exit command prompt

Try updating windows. If you still get “Windows Could Not Search For New Updates”, move to next solution.

Solution Three – Remove the content of SoftwareDistribution folder

On Windows, the “SoftwareDistribution” folder is an important component for Windows Update. It temporarily store files needed to install new windows updates. The folder is maintained by Windows Update Agent and it should be left alone.

However, there will be times when Datastore and Download folders aren’t synchronized which prevents the operating system from installing new updates. An easy solution to fix the issue is clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder.

Here are the steps to follow.

Open a command prompt with administrator rights( Refer to steps given in solution One)
In the command prompt window, type the following command and hit enter on the keyboard

Wait for the command operation to complete
Now type net stop bits and hit Enter on the keyboard
Minimize command prompt
Press Windows logo and E simultaneously to open File Explorer
Navigate to this location:

Delete all files or folders you see in this folder: SoftwareDistribution
Restore command prompt
In the command prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter on the keyboard.

Wait for the command operation to complete and then type this commandand press Enter on keyboard

Close command prompt window
Reboot Windows

Now try searching for Windows updates. Like most users, the “Windows Could Not Search For New Updates” error would be resolved by one of the solutions given in this post.

Have you received an Update Error (0x800705b4) while updating Windows?

If yes, we believe this post is just for you.

In this post, we discuss some possible solutions. You don’t have to try all of them. Start with the first one and proceed to the rest in the order they appear till the issue is resolved.

Solution One – Disable third-party antivirus

If you are using any 3^rd party anti-virus, disable it temporarily but make sure the Windows Firewall is turned on. In addition, ensure Microsoft’s Windows Defender is working.

By default, Windows Defender is turned on, but it is possible you might have unknowingly disabled it. So check if it is enabled.

Temporarily disabling your 3^rd party anti-virus software tool will not be a security risk if Windows Defender, a perfectly competent protection tool, and Windows Firewall are doing their work.

Sometimes 3^rd party anti-virus programs are known to cause problems in Windows update. After you have disabled the anti-virus, try updating Windows and see if the issue reappears.

If the issue doesn’t reoccur, you might want to contact your antivirus manufacturer and apprise him of the situation. It is very much possible that you might encounter issues in future while downloading Windows update. Therefore, you should look for a permanent solution, if available.

Solution Two – Start Windows Defender service

According to Microsoft, the Update Error (0x800705b4) is related to Windows Defender. In such cases, starting Windows Defender service is the simplest solution to resolve the issue. Here are the steps to follow.

Press Windows key + R simultaneously on the keyboard
Type services.msc in the search box

In the services window, locate Windows Defender service in the list

Verify the status of Windows Defender service, check if it is Started
If the Status column is blank, right-click on the Windows Defender service and select Start

If you get an error when trying to start Windows Defender Service, change the Startup Type to Automatic
Restart your computer
Try updating Windows and see if the issue is resolved

Solution Three-Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Microsoft provides Windows Update Troubleshooter that might help resolve the issue. Here are the steps to run Windows Update Troubleshooter.

In Cortana search box, type troubleshoot
Click Troubleshooting from the list of results

In the Troubleshooting window, click View All in the left pane

Select Windows update in the list

In the next window, click Advanced

Click Run as administrator

Click Next button

The Windows Update Troubleshooter will now detect any problems in windows update and fix them.

Solution Four – Modify Windows Update Settings

This solution has worked for many Windows 10 users and it might also work for you. If the solution works for you, don’t forget to mention it in the comments. Here are the steps to follow.

In Cortana search box, type Windows update
Click check for updates from the list of results
In the Settings windows, click Advanced options
<insert 0x800705b4 -update advanced options>
In the next window, uncheck the box for option- Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows

Restart your computer to let the changes take effect

Note: After the computer restarts, you need to perform steps once again to get all Windows updates installed. Once all windows updates are installed, you will get a message: “Your device is up to date”. You need to perform the steps given below after you receive the above message.

In Cortana search box, type Windows update

Click check for updates from the list of results
In the Settings windows, click check for updates

In the next window, check the box for option- Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows

Go back to the previous window, click check for updates

Windows will now download and install all pending updates and the Windows Update Error 0x800705b4 error should get resolved.

In Cortana search box, type Services

Click Services from the list of results
In the Services window, select Background Intelligent Transfer service and right-click on it

Select Stop from the menu
Next, select Windows update service and right-click on it

Select Stop from the menu
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution”

Press Ctrl + A on the keyboard to select all contents in the folder and press Delete on the keyboard
If all content is not deleted, make sure the folders DeliveryOptimization and Downloads are deleted
Restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved

Solution Six – Upgrade to Windows Build 1607

If you have installed Windows Build 1511, you need to upgrade windows to build 1607. Here are the steps to check Windows Version and OS build.

In the Cortana search box, type Run
Select run from the list of results to invoke Run command app
Type winver in the box
You will get a Windows pop-up that mentions Windows version and OS build

Once you have upgraded to OS build 1607 or higher, try installing the windows updates and the error should resolve.

Solution Seven – Update Drivers

If you look at the various problems related to Windows 10, many of them are caused due to incompatible or corrupt drivers. That’s why it is necessary to keep your device drives up-to-date all the time.

Though updating drivers manually is one of the options available, we do not recommend it. This is because it requires sufficient computer knowledge and is time-consuming at the very least. Worse, it is possible to download wrong drivers by mistake and turn a bad situation into something far worse.

Updating Drivers Automatically

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

You can update device drivers automatically
The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

Start Download