Windows update does not start downloading, just hangs

I got a message that there are updates available (Win 7 Pro). However the update does not start downloading. It seems it doesn't find the site, even though I can go to any other site with no problem. Tried IE8 and Firefox, same problem.

Hey

Could you provide a little more insight to the problem?
Are you trying to run Windows Update via the Control Panel? Because after Windows XP, updates are no longer delivered via a browser.

To find Windows Update in the Control Panel, open the start menu and type "Update" and click Windows Update in the results list.