TechTips - How to Fix the Problem Where Windows Update Icon Disappears when Clicked

I ran into an extremely weird issue the other day when I was trying to update my machine via the Windows Update icon that was yelling at me to update my machine. I clicked on it and it disappeared, which is normal for a second, then it usually brings up the window for me to choose my updates I want to apply. This never happened so I rebooted and it came up, I clicked it and same thing, nothing happened. So how do you fix this problem where the Windows Update icon disappears when you click it?

First let me tell you what is happening and why. Typically if you click on the Windows update icon and nothing happens, it means that the windows update client is corrupt. Now there are two ways to fix this problem, you can either install the most up to date windows update client; or you can force the update client from the command line.

So for the short term fix if you don't want to take the time to fix the corrupt update client, use the command line to force the update client to open. Simply do the following:

Click Start

Click Run

Type CMD

Hit Enter

Type WUAUCLT /ShowWU

Hit Enter

This should open the Windows Update Client Window and allow you to install your updates. You can choose to do this every time you want to update your PC/Server, or you can fix the problem permanently by reinstalling the Windows Update Client.

To reinstall the Windows Update Client software you will need to download the most current version of the software (32bit and 64bit AT THIS LINK, downloads are about halfway down the page)

If you aren't sure which one to download you can check your system properties, to do this follow these steps:

Right Click Computer

Click Properties

Under System Check System Type (should say 32-bit or 64-bit)

Once you have downloaded the correct software, run the installer and it should update your Windows Update client. After it is done you will want to reboot and test the update function via the little icon. This time when you click it the windows update window should come up without any problems.

If this still doesn't fix your problem then you might have a more complex issue on your hands and you will want to do some research in the windows logs and Google.