Windows 7 - can't check for updates or download and install updates

See https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-update-doesnt-work-even-with-the-solution/1e7c6642-fd2b-4122-a62d-b5dff90b777d which has helped loads of people.

Notice the FIRST step to try beforehand, which often works on its own without the need to reset stuff.

Thank you for your reply, George222(2). 

The solution you suggested didn't work. It's still stuck at 'checking for updates'.

If you are certain you followed the information in that link exactly and update still isn't working, then try updating your AntiVirus program and run a full scan. After the scan try resetting the WU components as per https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971058 to see if that finds and fixes anything.

Just to double check, your symptoms are that WU appears to run but never finds anything, and there are no error codes or error messages reported. It just runs and finds nothing. Is that correct?

Thank you for replying.

Finally, WU appears to have sorted itself out to some extent at least. 

Today, I found 9 updates available, of which 5 updates succeeded and 4 failed. The error code is 80072EFE. 

Thanks again.