Windows Updates stuck on checking for updates

Had a problem with a laptop running Windows 7. It was offline for a few months and had over 160 updates missing.
Windows Updates was stuck on checking for updates overnight and did not move at all.
To fix the problem, I ran the following updates:
Disable Windows Updates Service before running these fixes
1. April 2015 servicing stack update

• 32bit
• 64bit

2. Windows Update Client in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 

• 32bit
• 64bit

Restart the computer and everything should work.