Unable to check for Windows Updates

I am unable to check for Windows Updates. When I click on the Check for updates button, I get a message stating "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."

I have tried running the Windows Fix It application for repairing Windows Update. After running the program, I get a notification that two issues were fixed, both being "Repair Windows Update Components". After restarting, I am still unable to check for updates. When I run the program again, I get the same result as in I get notification that two issues were fixed.

In looking at other forums, I came across the suggestion to stop Windows Update and delete or rename the SoftwareDistribution folder and then restart Windows update. I tried both, without any success. In both instances a new SoftwareDistribution folder was created, but I still had the same issue.