sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

How to Fix Microsoft Store Error 0x80070422 (Store Denied)

Guide 10-29743 · Updated · Step by step

This guide walks you through fixing Microsoft Store error 0x80070422, which often appears as “Store denied” and prevents you from downloading or updating apps. The error is typically caused by disabled Windows services (like Windows Update or the Microsoft Store Install Service), incorrect network settings, or a corrupted Store cache. Below are step-by-step fixes, from the simplest to more advanced, that work on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What You’ll Need

  • Administrator access to your Windows PC (to change services and run commands).
  • An internet connection (for downloading updates or resetting the Store).
  • Your Microsoft account credentials (in case you need to re-sign in).

Step-by-Step

  1. Restart your PC. Sometimes a simple restart clears temporary glitches that cause error 0x80070422. Save your work and reboot.
  2. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10). Select Windows Store Apps and run the troubleshooter. Follow any on-screen instructions.
  3. Check Windows Update service. Error 0x80070422 often occurs when the Windows Update service is disabled. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find Windows Update in the list, right-click it, and select Properties. Set Startup type to Automatic (or Automatic (Delayed Start)), click Start if the service is not running, then click Apply and OK.
  4. Enable the Microsoft Store Install Service. In the same Services window, locate Microsoft Store Install Service. If it is missing, you may need to install it manually (see Troubleshooting). If present, right-click and select Properties. Set Startup type to Automatic, ensure the service is started, and click Apply and OK.
  5. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10). Select Windows Update and run it. This can fix service configuration issues.
  6. Clear the Microsoft Store cache. Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window will open, and after a few seconds the Microsoft Store will launch. This clears corrupted cache files without affecting your installed apps.
  7. Re-register the Microsoft Store app. Open PowerShell as administrator (right-click Start and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)). Type the following command and press Enter:
    Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
    Wait for it to complete, then restart your PC.
  8. Check network settings. Error 0x80070422 can be caused by a VPN or proxy interfering with connections. Temporarily disable your VPN or proxy (Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy) and try the Store again. Also, try switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection or vice versa.
  9. Run the System File Checker and DISM. Open Command Prompt as administrator. Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to finish. Then run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This repairs corrupted system files that might affect the Store.
  10. Check the Windows Update service dependencies. In Services, double-click Windows Update and go to the Dependencies tab. Ensure all listed services (like Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and DCOM Server Process Launcher) are running. If any are stopped, start them.

Common Mistakes

  • Disabling Windows Update permanently. Some users disable Windows Update to avoid automatic restarts, but this can break the Store. Keep Windows Update set to Automatic.
  • Running wsreset without administrator rights. While wsreset usually works without admin, running it as administrator can sometimes cause issues. Use it normally.
  • Skipping the troubleshooter. The built-in troubleshooters often fix service misconfigurations automatically. Don’t skip them.
  • Using third-party “Store repair” tools. These often do more harm than good. Stick to official Windows commands.

Tips

  • Keep Windows updated. Microsoft regularly fixes Store bugs in cumulative updates. Install all pending updates from Settings > Windows Update.
  • Check the date and time. Incorrect system time can cause authentication errors. Go to Settings > Time & Language and enable automatic time and time zone.
  • Create a new user account. If the error persists, try creating a new local user account and see if the Store works there. If it does, the issue is with your profile.
  • Use the Store with a Microsoft account. Some features require you to be signed in. Go to the Store, click your profile icon, and sign in.

Troubleshooting

If the error still appears after trying the steps above, here are additional things to try:

  • Install the Microsoft Store Install Service manually. If you don’t see this service in Services, download the Microsoft Store Install Service package from the Microsoft Update Catalog (search for “Microsoft Store Install Service”). Download the appropriate .msu file for your Windows version and install it. After installation, set the service to Automatic and start it.
  • Reset the Store app via Settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft Store, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced options. Then click Reset. This clears the app’s data and may fix deeper issues.
  • Check for third-party security software. Some antivirus or firewall programs block the Store. Temporarily disable them (or add exceptions for the Store) and test. If it works, adjust the security software settings.
  • Perform a clean boot. Use msconfig to disable all non-Microsoft services and startup items, then restart. If the Store works in a clean boot, a background program is causing the conflict. Gradually re-enable services to find the culprit.
  • If all else fails, use the Windows Update Assistant. Download the Windows Update Assistant from Microsoft’s official site and run it to update Windows to the latest version. This often fixes persistent Store issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does error 0x80070422 happen?

It usually occurs when the Windows Update service or Microsoft Store Install Service is disabled, or when the Store cannot connect to Microsoft’s servers due to network settings.

Will resetting the Store delete my apps?

No. Resetting the Store (via Settings or wsreset) only clears the Store’s cache and settings. Your installed apps and their data remain intact.

Can I fix this without administrator access?

Most fixes require admin rights. If you’re on a work or school PC, contact your IT administrator.

Does this error affect Windows 11 as well?

Yes, error 0x80070422 appears on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The steps are nearly identical.

What if the Microsoft Store Install Service is missing?

You can install it manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Search for “Microsoft Store Install Service” and download the version for your Windows build.

Will I lose my Microsoft Store purchases?

No. Your purchases are tied to your Microsoft account. Even if you reinstall Windows, you can re-download them.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →