Cannot install windows updates or update windows defender [Win 8.1]

candlejack42

Commendable
Nov 23, 2016
18
0
1,510
I have 64-bit Windows 8.1, and can't install windows updates, or update windows defender. In both cases they just hang on "searching for updates" indefinitely. I've done lots of googling and can't find a working solution; I've tried many things, including restarting services, renaming the software distribution folder, clean boot, and running sfc /scannow. None have worked. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you!