The device list could not be retrieved from Windows Update

Nav123: Navision, Showare, OrderApp

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I had this message only once, but really worked for it. Apparently, especially HP drivers are the cause, I have found most questions about this in connection with HP printers. And also in my case it was a Deskjet 460, which would not install - but immediately triggered the Windows-Update error: The device list could not be retrieved from windows update .

After many updates, many restarts, and many other attempts, this is what got me to the finish line:

  • Start command line as admin, then run one after the other:
  • net stop bits - Stops the intelligent background transmission service
  • net stop wuauserv stops the Windows update
  • Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /startComponentCleanup - repairs & updates the Windows driver database
  • sfc /scannow - SystemFileCheck to repair potentially damaged Windows files.
  • del /F /S /Q „C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution“ - deletes the Windows internal update&driver cache
  • del C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2- deletes the Windows internal update&driver cache part 2
  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv
  • Reboot- Restart the system

After that I could add printers again - my printer is not listed - reload printer drivers from Windows Update. This is e.g. also for necessary for my Navision-PDF solution..