Just to check things, Start, Run, CMD
sc queryez
Look for this entry:
SERVICE_NAME: wuauserv
DISPLAY_NAME: Automatic Updates
TYPE : 20 WIN32_SHARE_PROCESS
STATE : 4 RUNNING
(STOPPABLE,NOT_PAUSABLE,ACCEPTS_SHUTDOWN)
WIN32_EXIT_CODE : 0 (0x0)
SERVICE_EXIT_CODE : 0 (0x0)
CHECKPOINT : 0x0
WAIT_HINT : 0x0
PID : 896
FLAGS :
If it does not exist type:
sc start wuauserv
It should start the service, but no gaurantees.
If it starts, then Start, Administrative Tools, Services, and set it startup desposition to Automatic.