Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070422 and Install Updates Again

Windows Update error 0x80070422 usually means the Windows Update service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), or another required service is disabled or cannot start. The safest fix is to enable and start Windows Update and BITS in the Services app, restart Windows, and check for updates again. Use the troubleshooter and repair commands only if those services still fail.

What error 0x80070422 means and the quickest fix to try

The error commonly appears when you select Check for updates or when Windows tries to install an update. It usually indicates a service problem rather than a damaged Windows installation.

0x80070422

Start with the Services app. Do not change the registry or run an update-reset script yet; those steps can create new problems when a disabled service is the only issue.

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Update. Open it, set Startup type to Manual or Automatic, select Start if the service is stopped, and select Apply.
3. Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Set its Startup type to Manual or Automatic, start it if it is stopped, and select Apply.
4. Close Services, restart the PC, and check for updates.

Some Windows configurations use Manual startup because another component starts the service when needed. The service must not be Disabled and must be able to start successfully. If Windows refuses the change, sign in with an administrator account or open the Services app with administrator permissions.

Does this fix apply to your Windows 10 or 11 problem?

These steps apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11 when 0x80070422 appears in Windows Update, Settings, the Windows Update control panel, or during update installation.

The same number can appear in other Microsoft components. If it appears only in Microsoft Store, Xbox, activation, or another app, Windows Update might not be the cause. Identify the screen that shows the code before changing services.

Before you start, save open work and make sure you can restart Windows. Starting a service normally does not remove files or personal data, and these steps do not require a system reset. You need an account with Administrator permission for service changes and repair commands.

Run these checks first:

• Open Settings > Windows Update and record whether the error appears during checking or installation.
• Check Settings > System > About to confirm whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 11.
• Disconnect unnecessary VPN connections temporarily; some VPN or endpoint-security configurations interfere with update traffic.
• If the computer belongs to an organization, ask whether update settings are controlled by policy before changing them.

Start the services Windows Update needs

Use the Services app first. It is reversible and shows whether Windows can start the required components.

Windows key + R > services.msc > Windows Update

1. Open services.msc with administrator permissions.
2. Double-click Windows Update. Set Startup type to Manual or Automatic. Select Start, then Apply and OK.
3. Open Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Set its Startup type to Manual or Automatic, start it, and select Apply and OK.
4. Check Delivery Optimization. If it is disabled, set it to Manual and start it. If it is already running, leave it unchanged.
5. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run
Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run

Windows Update and BITS should show a running status or start when Windows checks for updates. The troubleshooter can repair service settings, clear a temporary cache, or report a specific cause.

If Start is unavailable, the service might be disabled by policy, damaged, or missing. If it starts and immediately stops, record the message shown in the service properties and continue to the repair steps below. Do not set every service to Automatic; that can change normal Windows behavior and will not repair damaged files.

If you prefer an elevated command prompt, these commands perform the same basic checks:

sc config wuauserv start= demand
sc config bits start= demand
net start wuauserv
net start bits

A message saying the service was started confirms that Windows could launch it. If the message says the service does not exist, access is denied, or the service cannot start, investigate a deeper service, policy, or system-file problem.

How to confirm Windows Update is working again

Restart Windows after changing the services. The restart reloads service dependencies and pending update components.

1. Restart the PC from Start > Power > Restart.
2. Open Windows Update and select Check for updates.
3. Allow the check and installation to finish. Restart again if Windows requests it.
4. Open Update history and confirm that the attempted update has an installed or successful status.

Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Update history
Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history

The repair worked if Windows completes a check or installation without returning 0x80070422. A failed update can have a separate cause, so check the specific update status instead of relying only on the absence of the first error.

If the code returns, inspect the troubleshooter result and check the service status again. For more detail, open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System and look around the failure time for entries from Service Control Manager or Windows Update. Windows 11 can also create a Windows Update log through PowerShell:

Get-WindowsUpdateLog

This creates a readable Windows Update log on the desktop. The log can identify a dependency, access, policy, or file-repair problem that the Settings page does not explain.

What to do if the services are missing or keep stopping

If Windows Update or BITS is missing, stops immediately, or cannot start after the basic checks, repair Windows system files before attempting a component reset. Run these commands from Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt opened as Administrator.

DISM and SFC can take time. Do not close the window or shut down the PC while either command is running.

1. Repair the Windows component store.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The expected result is a completion message stating that the restore operation completed successfully. If DISM reports that it cannot find source files, the repair needs a matching Windows installation source rather than repeated attempts with random downloads.

2. Check and repair protected system files.

sfc /scannow

A message saying Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and repaired them indicates that SFC made changes. If it says some files could not be repaired, restart and run the command once more. Persistent failures point to a deeper Windows installation problem.

3. Check policy and security software. On a managed PC, Group Policy or mobile-device management might disable Windows Update. Third-party antivirus, endpoint protection, firewall rules, or VPN software can also block the service or its network access. Temporarily pause a third-party security product only under your organization’s rules, then restore protection immediately after the test.

Resetting Windows Update components can remove the local update cache and requires administrator access. Use it only after service checks, the troubleshooter, DISM, and SFC have not resolved the error.

A cautious reset can be performed by Microsoft support procedures or by an administrator who understands the commands involved. Avoid downloading unverified “one-click” reset scripts. Do not delete service registry keys or recreate services from copied registry files.

If a required service is still missing or Windows files remain damaged, an in-place repair installation is usually safer than manual registry edits. It reinstalls Windows system components while normally preserving personal files, apps, and settings, but back up important files first and use installation media that matches your edition and language.

Conclusion

Start with Windows Update and BITS in `services.msc`, restart Windows, and check for updates again. If either service is missing or keeps stopping, run DISM and SFC before considering a component reset. For persistent service damage, policy restrictions, or repeated corruption, use an in-place repair installation rather than editing the registry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Windows Update be set to Automatic?

It can be set to `Manual` or `Automatic`, depending on the Windows configuration. It must not be `Disabled`, and it must be able to start when Windows checks for updates.

Why does BITS stop after I start it?

BITS can stop when it has no transfer work, so stopping by itself is not always a problem. If Windows Update still returns `0x80070422`, check for policy restrictions, security software interference, damaged system files, or a dependent service that cannot start.

Will fixing error 0x80070422 delete my files?

Starting services, running the troubleshooter, DISM, and SFC do not normally remove personal files. Back up important data before an update-component reset or in-place repair installation.