Yes there are problems with the software updater and not only with vlc.
For Adobe reader I got a message that there is a newer version, but when I tried to update the Adobe updater said "latest version already installed".
Last time it happened it turned out there was a newer English version, but not (yet) a newer Dutch version.
I also experienced problems when I clicked "update now".
It looked like the updated started, but it never finished while doing it manually it was finished with a few minutes.
Alwill should definitely have a good look at the software updater part.
Thank you for reporting this problem.