Windows Update Error 0x80070422: Fix the Root Cause

Windows update error 0x80070422 means Windows Update service stopped working or isn’t running (official: Microsoft Learn). Start by checking the Windows Update service first. If changing services returns Access is denied, check whether the PC is managed or whether update policy is blocking the change.

What you’ll need

• An administrator account on the PC
• The exact place the error appears: Settings > Windows Update, Microsoft Store, or Xbox
• Services, opened with Win + R, then services.msc
• Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)
• Settings access for Windows Update and troubleshooting
• A note of any message such as Access is denied

Which 0x80070422 case do you have?

Start with where the code appears. If it shows up in Settings > Windows Update, check the Windows Update service first. If it appears in Microsoft Store or the Xbox app, test Settings > Windows Update as well so you can confirm whether the update service is also affected. If service changes fail with Access is denied, go straight to the policy branch.

Decision table: symptom to exact fix path

How do I fix Windows Update error 0x80070422?

On a home PC, start with the Windows Update service. The Windows error reference ties this code to that service, and support guidance reported by support.microsoft.com also points to checking whether the service is disabled or stopped.

Use the shortest Windows Update path first

1. Open Services: press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Double-click Windows Update.
3. If Startup type is Disabled, change it to Automatic (reported by support.microsoft.com).
4. If Service status is Stopped, click Start (reported by support.microsoft.com).
5. Click Apply, then OK.
6. Retry Settings > Windows Update. On Windows 11, use Settings > Windows Update. On Windows 10, use Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Check the supporting services only if the first step fails

1. Restart the PC from Start > Power > Restart.
2. Sign back in and open services.msc again.
3. Open Windows Update and confirm the Startup type is still Automatic.
4. If the service is stopped again, click Start.
5. Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates once before changing anything else.

Quick verification checklist

1. Reopen services.msc after the restart.
2. Confirm Windows Update is no longer Disabled.
3. Confirm Windows Update shows as running, or start it again if needed.
4. Run Check for updates again and watch whether the scan starts without the same code.

What if Microsoft Store or Xbox app shows 0x80070422?

If the code appears in Microsoft Store or the Xbox app, first test Settings > Windows Update. Then check the Windows Update service in services.msc, because that is the service tied to this code in the Windows error reference.

Microsoft Store only

1. Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates once.
2. Open services.msc and double-click Windows Update.
3. If Startup type is Disabled, change it to Automatic.
4. If the service is stopped, click Start.
5. Restart Windows.
6. After the restart, open Microsoft Store > Library, click Get updates, then retry the same app install or update.

Xbox app or Game Pass only

1. Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates once.
2. Open services.msc and double-click Windows Update.
3. If Startup type is Disabled, change it to Automatic.
4. If the service is stopped, click Start.
5. Restart Windows.
6. Open the Xbox app again and retry the same action.

What if changing the service says “Access is denied”?

If Services will not let the account change or start Windows Update, check administrator access and Windows Update policy before trying repair commands.

Check admin rights and management first

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and confirm the account is an administrator.
2. Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school and look for a connected work or school account.
3. If the PC is managed, stop here and contact IT. Do not keep forcing service changes or reset commands, because management policy can reapply the blocked setting after sign-in or restart.

Check update policy on unmanaged PCs

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure Automatic Updates.
3. If that setting was changed on a personal PC, double-click it, select Not Configured, click Apply, click OK, and then restart Windows.
4. If Group Policy is unavailable, open Registry Editor and check whether HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU contains NoAutoUpdate. If it exists on a personal PC and you do not want that policy applied, export the key as a backup, delete the NoAutoUpdate value, close Registry Editor, and restart Windows. (Microsoft Learn)

If the service controls are still blocked

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the reset block below as separate commands, pressing Enter after each one.
3. When the commands finish, restart Windows.
4. After the restart, open services.msc again and retry the Windows Update service change once.

Commands:

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptsvc

ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak

ren %windir%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

net start wuauserv

net start bits

net start cryptsvc

Should I run DISM or SFC for error 0x80070422?

Run DISM first, then SFC, and do it only after the service and policy checks above. The order matters because DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth repairs the component store, while sfc /scannow checks protected system files after that store is in better shape. (ionos.com)

Use repair commands only after service checks

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and wait for it to finish.
3. Run sfc /scannow after DISM completes.
4. Restart the PC and test the same failing path again: Windows Update, Microsoft Store, or Xbox.

If that did not work, try this next

1. Open the Windows Update troubleshooter: on Windows 11, Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.
2. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter.
3. After the troubleshooter finishes, restart the PC.
4. Open Settings > Windows Update and test again. If the code appears only in Microsoft Store, open Microsoft Store > Library and click Get updates once after Windows starts normally.
5. Do not change unrelated network settings for this code, including IPv6. (criticalpathsecurity.com)

Which Windows services should be enabled for error 0x80070422?

For this code, check the Windows Update service first. Guidance reported by support.microsoft.com says to set its startup type to Automatic and start the service if it is stopped.

Service states worth checking

Common mistakes

What goes wrong and how to avoid it

• Changing several services before checking Windows Update first.
• Ignoring Access is denied and pushing ahead on a managed work or school PC.
• Changing policy or registry settings without restarting Windows before retesting.
• Retrying the same service change before the restart that applies the policy change.
• Running sfc /scannow before DISM when the component store may be damaged.
• Skipping the reboot and verification check after changing the Windows Update startup type.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Windows Update show error 0x80070422?

Open services.msc, inspect Windows Update, and make sure it is not disabled or stopped. If changing it is blocked, move to the Access is denied checks.

How do I fix Windows Update error 0x80070422?

Open Win + R > services.msc, double-click Windows Update, change Startup type to Automatic, then click Start if it is stopped. Retry Settings > Windows Update.

What service is disabled when error 0x80070422 appears?

The first service to check is Windows Update. If the code appears in another app, test Settings > Windows Update too, then check the same service in services.msc. Microsoft Store Install Service

How do I start the Windows Update service in Services?

Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter, then double-click Windows Update. Change Startup type to Automatic, click Apply, then click Start. If the button is unavailable or fails, switch to the Access is denied branch.

What if I get Access is denied when changing Windows Update service?

Check Settings > Accounts > Your info and confirm the account is an administrator, then check Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. If the PC is managed, stop and contact IT. On personal PCs, inspect gpedit.msc and the WindowsUpdate\AU policy path, restart Windows, and only then retry the service change.

Should I run DISM or SFC for error 0x80070422?

Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth first, then sfc /scannow. Use that order after service and policy checks, not before. Then restart and retest the exact failing path.

Was this answer helpful?

The fix held if the affected page or app now works after a reboot, the Windows Update startup type remains changed in services.msc, and Check for updates, Microsoft Store > Library, or the Xbox flow no longer returns the same code. If the setting reverts after restart, check for admin policy, work or school management, or update-control software on the PC.