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Windows error 0x80070422 usually means that the Windows Update service is disabled or stopped. The code in the title, 0X080070422, appears to be a typographical variant of Microsoft’s documented 0x80070422. Open services.msc, set Windows Update to Automatic, start it, restart the PC, and run Check for updates. If the service will not start, check BITS, Update Orchestrator Service, and Delivery Optimization, then repair Windows components with DISM followed by SFC. Windows 11 also has a repair-reinstall option that preserves apps, files, and settings when it is available.
What does error 0x80070422 mean?
Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooting table defines 0x80070422 as “Windows Update service is disabled or stopped.” In Microsoft Q&A, moderator Ramesh describes the related Windows message as: “The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.” In this context, “enabled devices” does not necessarily indicate a faulty piece of hardware; it can mean that a required service or component is unavailable.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The code is commonly shown when you open Windows Update and choose Check for updates, but it can also appear while another Windows component is trying to use the update infrastructure. A service may have been disabled manually, by a system-tuning change, by malware-removal or security software, or by corruption in Windows servicing components. The first repair is therefore a service check, not a reset or clean installation.
How do I fix 0x80070422 in Windows Update?
Work through the following sequence. Stop when Windows Update works again; later steps affect more of the operating system and should be used only if the earlier repair does not hold.
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1. Enable and start the Windows Update service
- Sign in with an account that has administrator rights.
- Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
services.mscand press Enter. If Windows displays a User Account Control prompt, choose Yes. - In the Services list, locate Windows Update. The list can be sorted by clicking the Name column.
- Double-click Windows Update to open its Properties dialog.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Check Service status. If it says Stopped, click Start. If it is already running, leave it running.
- Click Apply, then OK, and close the Services window.
- Restart Windows. After signing in again, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
If the Start button is unavailable, the service immediately stops, or the same code returns after the restart, continue to the related-service checks below. Do not repeatedly click Start; the failure usually indicates a dependency or component problem that needs a different repair.
2. Check the update services that Windows Update depends on
Microsoft Q&A identifies three related services that can prevent updates when they are disabled or stopped: Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Update Orchestrator Service, and Delivery Optimization. Their normal startup settings can vary by Windows release, so compare the current state with the release you are running before changing a setting.
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- Open
services.mscagain. - Open Background Intelligent Transfer Service. The Q&A guidance lists Manual as its startup type. If the service is stopped, try Start, then click Apply and OK.
- Open Update Orchestrator Service. The suggested setting is Automatic (Delayed Start). Do not force a different setting if your Windows release uses another default; the important check is that it has not been disabled.
- Open Delivery Optimization. The suggested setting is Automatic. Again, verify the state for your release and start it if it is stopped.
- Restart the computer and test Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
If a service refuses to start, note the exact message rather than changing unrelated services. A message about a missing dependency points toward component repair; a message that access is denied indicates that an administrator policy or security setting may be controlling the service.
Should I run DISM and SFC for 0x80070422?
Yes, when the services are enabled but Windows Update still fails, repair the component store and protected system files. Microsoft’s order is important: run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) first, then System File Checker (SFC). DISM repairs the source that SFC uses, so reversing the order can leave SFC without a healthy repair source.
Run the commands from an elevated Command Prompt
- Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Approve User Account Control.
- Enter the following command and press Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthDISM may take several minutes and can appear to pause at a percentage for a while. Leave the window open until it reports completion or an error.
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- When DISM finishes, run:
sfc /scannowKeep the Command Prompt window open until verification reaches 100 percent. Restart Windows after SFC completes, then test Windows Update again. If DISM or SFC reports that it could not repair files, record the exact result and move to the Windows 11 repair reinstall or the recovery choices below instead of repeatedly rerunning the same command.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat is the Windows 11 repair reinstall, and when should I use it?
On Windows 11, Microsoft provides a repair option called Fix problems using Windows Update when the option is present on the device. It reinstalls the same Windows version while preserving installed apps, personal files, and settings, making it less disruptive than Reset this PC or a clean installation.
- Open Settings.
- Go to System > Recovery.
- Find Fix problems using Windows Update.
- Select Reinstall now and follow the on-screen instructions.
The option is not shown on every Windows 11 configuration. Availability can depend on the installed release and servicing state. You need an internet connection to obtain the repair content, and the device must remain powered on while the reinstall runs. Although Microsoft says apps, files, and settings are preserved, back up important work before starting any operating-system repair.
What if the error started after a recent update?
A newly installed update can expose a servicing problem or conflict with an existing component. If the timing is clear, use Windows recovery choices in order of disruption rather than immediately wiping the installation.
Uninstall the recent update
Use the update-history and recovery controls in Settings to remove the update that coincided with the failure, when Windows offers that option. This is narrower than resetting the PC, but it may not be available for every update or after enough time has passed.
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Use System Restore or a point-in-time restore
If restore points exist, System Restore can return system files and settings to an earlier point without intentionally removing personal documents. It is useful only when a suitable restore point predates the error and the recovery environment remains functional.
Reset this PC
Reset this PC reinstalls Windows and offers choices that can remove applications and, depending on the selected mode, personal files. Read every confirmation screen, save recovery keys and important data, and make sure you understand which reset option you selected.
Reinstall from recovery or installation media
When built-in recovery cannot repair the installation, use Windows recovery media or bootable installation media. Creating that media requires access to another working computer in some situations and a USB flash drive suitable for the media. Follow Microsoft’s media instructions for your edition and architecture, and back up data before booting from it.
Which repair option should I choose?
The table compares the documented paths by how much of Windows they affect. Start with the least disruptive option that matches the symptom.
| Option | Scope | Disruption | Data and app impact | Main requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enable Windows Update in Services | One service and its startup state | Lowest | Does not remove files or apps | Administrator access |
| Check BITS, Update Orchestrator, and Delivery Optimization | Related update services | Low | Does not remove files or apps | Administrator access; verify defaults for the installed Windows release |
| DISM followed by SFC | Windows component store and protected system files | Low to moderate | Designed to repair Windows files, not erase personal data | Elevated Command Prompt; DISM can take several minutes |
| Windows 11 “Reinstall now” | Windows installation and servicing components | Moderate | Microsoft says it preserves apps, files, and settings | Windows 11, the option visible in Settings, internet access, and power during reinstall |
| Uninstall an update or use System Restore | Recent changes to Windows | Moderate | Depends on the update or restore point; review the confirmation details | A removable update or usable restore point |
| Reset this PC | Most of the Windows installation | High | Can remove apps and, depending on the choice, personal files | Backups and a clear choice of reset mode |
| Recovery or installation media | Full recovery or reinstallation | Highest | May remove apps, settings, or files depending on the procedure | Recovery or bootable installation media, backup, and correct Windows edition |
Is the “0x80070422 Reddit fix” for Chrome the same problem?
No. A July 31, 2025 post in r/chrome reported that enabling Google Updater Service resolved Chrome’s own update-check error with the same numeric code. That is an application-specific anecdote, not evidence that Google Updater Service controls Windows Update.
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If the error appears only inside Chrome while Windows Update works normally, inspect Chrome’s updater context rather than changing Windows Update services. If the code appears in Settings > Windows Update, follow the Windows service and component-repair sequence in this guide. Do not enable an unrelated service solely because it shares the same number.
Does Windows 10 change the decision?
Yes. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After that date, free Windows Update updates, technical assistance, and security fixes ended for Windows 10 under Microsoft’s stated support policy. Repairing 0x80070422 may restore the update mechanism, but it does not extend Windows 10 support. If the computer can run a supported Windows release, weigh migration against spending time on a long repair; if it cannot, make the limitations of an unsupported system part of your decision.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can I verify that the repair worked?
- Restart Windows after changing service settings or completing DISM and SFC.
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and wait for the result rather than closing Settings immediately.
- Confirm that the page no longer reports 0x80070422 and that an available update can begin downloading.
- If the code returns after a later restart, recheck the Windows Update service and the three related services before escalating to a reinstall or reset.
A successful service start proves only that the service can run at that moment. Recurrence after reboot points to a startup policy, dependency, or component problem, which is why the sequence moves from service state to DISM/SFC and then to recovery.
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FAQ
Is 0x80070422 a virus?
The code itself is a Windows service-status error, not proof of malware. A disabled service can have many causes, so use your normal security software separately if you have broader security concerns.
Will changing Windows Update to Automatic delete my files?
No. Changing a service’s startup type and starting it does not remove personal files or installed applications. Backups become important only when you move to reset or reinstallation choices.
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Why does Windows Update stop again after I enable it?
A recurring stop usually means a related service, startup policy, or damaged component is still preventing normal operation. Check BITS, Update Orchestrator Service, and Delivery Optimization, then run DISM before SFC.
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Can I fix the error without an internet connection?
The Services checks and the commands already available on Windows can be performed without downloading a separate utility, although DISM may need a repair source that is not present locally. The Windows 11 “Reinstall now” path and many media-based repairs require access to installation content, so prepare the necessary connection or media first.
Do I need a USB drive to start troubleshooting?
No. USB recovery media is an escalation route when built-in repair and recovery options fail. You need it only if you choose to create or use bootable recovery or installation media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 0x80070422 a virus?
The code itself is a Windows service-status error, not proof of malware. A disabled service can have many causes, so use your normal security software separately if you have broader security concerns.
Will changing Windows Update to Automatic delete my files?
No. Changing a service’s startup type and starting it does not remove personal files or installed applications. Backups become important only when you move to reset or reinstallation choices.
Why does Windows Update stop again after I enable it?
A recurring stop usually means a related service, startup policy, or damaged component is still preventing normal operation. Check BITS, Update Orchestrator Service, and Delivery Optimization, then run DISM before SFC.
Can I fix the error without an internet connection?
The Services checks and the commands already available on Windows can be performed without downloading a separate utility, although DISM may need a repair source that is not present locally. The Windows 11 “Reinstall now” path and many media-based repairs require access to installation content, so prepare the necessary connection or media first.
Do I need a USB drive to start troubleshooting?
No. USB recovery media is an escalation route when built-in repair and recovery options fail. You need it only if you choose to create or use bootable recovery or installation media.
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