How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070422 in Windows 11 and 10

Quick Answer

Windows Update Error 0x80070422 is most often caused by the Windows Update service being disabled. To fix it quickly, open Services, set Windows Update to Manual or Automatic, start the service, then try Windows Update again.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Update.
3. Double-click it and set Startup type to Manual or Automatic.
4. Click Start, then Apply and OK.
5. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

If the Start button is greyed out or the service turns off again, continue with the command-line and policy checks below. Those usually fix stubborn cases.

Problem

You may see Windows Update Error 0x80070422 when checking for updates in Windows 11 or Windows 10. The message can appear in the Settings app, Microsoft Store updates, Windows Defender updates, or while installing cumulative updates.

The error commonly appears when Windows cannot start a required update service. In plain terms, Windows is ready to update, but the background service responsible for downloading or installing updates is disabled, blocked, or misconfigured.

Cause

The error code 0x80070422 usually points to a disabled service. For Windows Update, the main service is wuauserv, but Windows also depends on BITS, Cryptographic Services, and Windows Modules Installer.

Prerequisites

• Use an administrator account.
• Save your work before restarting services.
• If this is a work or school PC, some update settings may be controlled by your organization.
• Temporarily disconnect from VPN software if updates repeatedly fail after services are fixed.

Step-by-step Solution

1. Enable the Windows Update service

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Double-click Windows Update.
4. Change Startup type to Manual. If that does not work, use Automatic.
5. Click Start.
6. Click Apply, then OK.

Now open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

2. Start required update services from Command Prompt

If Services will not start properly, run the service configuration commands manually.

1. Right-click Start.
2. Select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Run these commands:

sc config wuauserv start= demand
sc config bits start= delayed-auto
sc config cryptsvc start= auto
sc config trustedinstaller start= demand

net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start trustedinstaller

Important: keep the space after start=. The sc config command requires it.

3. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

The troubleshooter can repair common registry entries and service permissions.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Windows Update.
4. Click Run.
5. Apply the recommended fixes and restart the PC.

4. Reset Windows Update components

If Windows Update Error 0x80070422 remains, reset the local update cache. This does not remove your personal files.

Open Terminal (Admin) and run:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
net stop msiserver

ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %windir%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvc
net start msiserver

After running the commands, restart Windows and check for updates again.

5. Check Group Policy settings

On Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education, a policy may disable updates.

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience.
3. Open Configure Automatic Updates.
4. Set it to Not Configured or Enabled.
5. Restart the PC.

If you are on Windows Home, skip this step because Local Group Policy Editor is not included by default.

6. Repair system files

Corrupt system files can stop update services from starting. Run DISM first, then SFC.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Wait for both commands to complete, restart the computer, and try Windows Update again.

Examples

Example: Windows Update service is disabled

If Windows Update shows Startup type: Disabled in Services, change it to Manual, click Start, and run Windows Update again. This is the most common fix.

Example: Error returns after reboot

If the service keeps disabling itself, check third-party “debloat,” privacy, or optimizer tools. Some of these tools disable Windows Update in the background.

Common Causes

• Windows Update service is disabled.
• BITS or Cryptographic Services is stopped.
• Local update cache is damaged.
• Group Policy is blocking automatic updates.
• Security or system optimization software changed service settings.
• Corrupted Windows system files.

Common Mistakes

• Disabling Windows Update permanently: this often causes Microsoft Store, Defender, and driver updates to fail too.
• Deleting update folders manually while services are running: stop update services first or use the commands above.
• Ignoring managed-device policies: work PCs may require IT administrator changes.
• Forgetting the space in sc config commands: use start= demand, not start=demand.

Best Practices

• Keep Windows Update set to Manual or Automatic, not Disabled.
• Avoid registry cleaners and update-blocking scripts unless you fully understand the changes.
• Create a restore point before changing policies or services on a heavily customized PC.
• Restart Windows after resetting update components.
• Install servicing stack and cumulative updates promptly when they become available.

Verification

Use this checklist to confirm the fix worked:

1. Open Services and confirm Windows Update is not disabled.
2. Open Settings > Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Confirm the error Windows Update Error 0x80070422 no longer appears.
5. Restart the PC and check again to make sure the service setting persists.

Most PCs are fixed after enabling Windows Update and BITS. If the error continues after all steps, check whether your device is managed by an organization or blocked by third-party security software.