Why is my computer checking for updates much later than usual?

More like 12 hours later than usual. It usually checks for them when I first turn on my computer. I got up from my computer then saw my red light blinking. Then I checked the task manager and I saw Windows update then the Antimalware thing showed up. So, I checked my settings, it just checked for updates. When it usually does it between 2-4pm.

I didn't change my habits or anything else to make it check for updates later. This is so strange, never had this happen before. Unless I did it on purpose.

My version number is 2004 Home. It even checked for my updates at the usual time for Patch Tuesday two weeks ago.

Not unusual for out of schedule updates. Look in your Update History then you will find out.

Helmut said:

Not unusual for out of schedule updates. Look in your Update History then you will find out.

What do you mean about out of schedule updates? And what am I supposed to be looking at in my Update History?

Paul Black said:

Hello @rockfan13,




Because there can be a delay in connecting to the MS servers for example, if you look at the times that the WU's were actually Installed, against your scheduled time of 2-4pm.

I hope this helps.

I can't find any times in my Update History. Plus the only thing getting updated are the virus definitions. It's just checking for updates. The last actual updates that were installed were the Patch Tuesday updates. Which I did install late at night. But I don't that has anything to do with this.

- - - Updated - - -

I just checked my quality updates, supposedly something was installed on Sunday. I don't know if that has to do with anything. I didn't have to do anything with that.

- - - Updated - - -

Paul Black said:

Hello @rockfan13,




Because there can be a delay in connecting to the MS servers for example [ them, NOT you ]. If you look at the times that the WU's were actually Installed, against your scheduled time of 2-4pm.

I hope this helps.

What is the chance of this just being a glitch and stuff will be back to normal soon? I am just worried if this was caused by something malicious.

Post a screenshot of quality updates during February.

The scheduled 2-4PM will not always occur in that time frame for a few reasons even when there isn't anything is wrong depending on what else is going on in that time frame. Out of schedule updates or a delay in connecting to MS servers as have been mentioned are a couple of examples.
--- The good news is at least you are on top of making sure your system stays up-to-date.

MeAndMyComputer said:

Post a screenshot of quality updates during February.

The scheduled 2-4PM will not always occur in that time frame for a few reasons even when there isn't anything is wrong depending on what else is going on in that time frame. Out of schedule updates or a delay in connecting to MS servers as have been mentioned are a couple of examples.
--- The good news is at least you are on top of making sure your system stays up-to-date.

Here's a picture.

rockfan13 said:

More like 12 hours later than usual. It usually checks for them when I first turn on my computer.....

By default Windows 10 automatically checks for updates once every 22 hours with a random factor of minus zero to twenty percent, meaning it does not check at the same time every day. This randomisation is to intended to spread the load of the update servers. It does however mean that you although you can be confident that your PC will perform an automatic check every day, you can never predict exactly when.

If that worries you, then manually check for updates at a time of your choosing. That's what I do every Patch Tuesday immediately after 10am PST (6pm here in the UK) which is when MS publish the new updates.

Bree said:

By default Windows 10 automatically checks for updates once every 22 hours with a random factor of minus zero to twenty percent, meaning it does not check at the same time every day. This randomisation is to intended to spread the load of the update servers. It does however mean that you although you can be confident that your PC will check every day, you can never predict exactly when.

If that worries you, then manually check for updates at a time of your choosing. That's what I do every Patch Tuesday immediately after 10am PST (6pm here in the UK) which is when MS publish the new updates.

Then how is there like an almost fifty percent difference?

You can schedule a script to check for updates at intervals.

A CMD command:
C:\Windows\explorer.exe ms-settings:windowsupdate-action

A VBScript command:
Createobject("wscript.shell").run("ms-settings:windowsupdate-action")