Fix Microsoft Store Error 0x80070422

Microsoft Store error 0x80070422 typically means the Windows service that the Store depends on—most commonly the Windows Update service or the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)—is disabled or not running. Without these services, the Store cannot download or update apps, and you’ll see this error when trying to install, update, or even open the Store. This guide walks you through the most reliable fixes, starting with the simplest service checks and moving to more advanced registry edits, so you can get the Store working again.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows PC (you’ll need to confirm User Account Control prompts)
A stable internet connection
About 15–20 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Open Settings (Win + I) → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters. Find “Windows Store Apps” and click “Run.” Follow the prompts. This automated tool often detects and fixes common Store issues, including service misconfigurations. Restart your PC after it finishes.
Enable the Windows Update Service

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Scroll to “Windows Update.” Right-click it and select “Properties.” Set “Startup type” to Automatic (or Automatic (Delayed Start) if that’s already set). Click “Start” under Service status if it’s not running. Click Apply and OK.
Enable the BITS Service

In the same services window, find “Background Intelligent Transfer Service.” Right-click → Properties. Set Startup type to Automatic (not Manual). Click “Start” if it’s stopped. Apply and OK. BITS handles background downloads for the Store, and a disabled BITS is a very common cause of 0x80070422.
Enable the Cryptographic Services

Still in services.msc, find “Cryptographic Services.” Right-click → Properties. Set Startup type to Automatic, click “Start” if stopped, then Apply and OK. This service verifies digital signatures on downloaded apps.
Restart All Three Services Together

After enabling the above, restart your PC. Then open services.msc again and verify all three (Windows Update, BITS, Cryptographic Services) show “Running” in the Status column. If any stopped again, check the “Startup type” is indeed Automatic and not Trigger Start or Manual.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → “Windows Update” → Run. This checks for corrupted update components that can also cause the Store to fail. Restart after it completes.
Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window will open; wait for it to close on its own (may take a minute). This clears the Store’s cache without deleting your apps or account. Reopen the Store and try again.
Re-register the Microsoft Store App

Right-click the Start button and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin).” Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:
```
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
```
Wait for it to finish. It may look like nothing happened—that’s normal. Restart your PC.
Check for Corrupted System Files

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start → Command Prompt (Admin) or Terminal (Admin)). Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to complete. If it finds errors it can’t fix, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth next, then restart and run sfc /scannow again.
Modify the Registry (Last Resort)

If nothing above worked, the Windows Update service may be disabled via the registry. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to:
```
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
```
In the right pane, double-click Start. Set its value to 2 (which means Automatic). Click OK. Do the same for BITS at:
```
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BITS
```
Set Start to 2 as well. Close regedit and restart your PC.

Common Mistakes

Setting services to Manual instead of Automatic. Some guides suggest Manual, but the Store expects these services to start automatically. Manual can cause the error to return after a reboot.
Skipping the restart. Service changes often don’t take effect until you restart Windows. Always reboot after changing service startup types.
Running the troubleshooter only once. The Windows Store Apps troubleshooter sometimes fixes one issue but reveals another. Run it, restart, and run it again if the error persists.
Editing the registry without backing it up. Before changing registry values, right-click the key (wuauserv or BITS) and select Export to save a backup. A wrong value can prevent Windows Update from working entirely.
Ignoring third-party security software. Some antivirus or firewall programs disable Windows Update or BITS as “optimization.” Temporarily disable them (or check their settings) before assuming Windows is at fault.

Tips

Keep your Windows version fully updated. Microsoft frequently ships fixes for Store-related services in cumulative updates.
Use a wired internet connection while troubleshooting. Wi-Fi interruptions can make the Store appear broken when it’s actually a network issue.
If you recently used a “Windows debloater” or privacy tool, it may have disabled these services. Re-enable them as shown above.
Check if the Store works under a different user account. If it does, the issue is profile-specific, and you can create a new local user and migrate your data.
Run the Windows Update service manually before opening the Store each time if the error is intermittent—this helps confirm the service is the culprit.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed all steps and still see 0x80070422, try these additional checks:

Check the service dependencies. Right-click Windows Update → Properties → Dependencies tab. Ensure the listed services (usually RPC Endpoint Mapper and DCOM Server Process Launcher) are running. If not, start them manually.
Look at the Windows Event Log. Open Event Viewer (Win + R, type eventvwr.msc). Go to Windows Logs → System and look for red errors around the time the Store failed. The error details often name the exact service that failed to start.
Try a clean boot. Press Win + R, type msconfig, go to Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” then click “Disable all.” Restart. If the Store works, re-enable services one by one to find the conflict.
Use the Media Creation Tool to repair Windows. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official site, run it, and choose “Upgrade this PC now.” This reinstalls Windows while keeping your files and apps. It’s a more thorough fix than the DISM command.
Check your date and time. Right-click the clock → Adjust date/time. Ensure “Set time automatically” is on and the time zone is correct. Incorrect time breaks the digital certificates the Store relies on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does error 0x80070422 happen specifically?

It’s almost always because the Windows Update service or BITS is disabled or set to a non-automatic startup type. This can happen after system updates, third-party optimization tools, or manual service changes.

Will I lose my installed apps if I run wsreset.exe?

No. wsreset.exe only clears the Store’s local cache (temporary files, login tokens). Your installed apps, game saves, and account settings remain untouched.

Is it safe to edit the registry to fix this error?

Yes, if you only change the “Start” value of wuauserv and BITS to 2, as shown above. Always export the key first as a backup. Avoid changing anything else in those keys.

Can a VPN or proxy cause this error?

Yes, sometimes. A VPN or proxy can interfere with the Store’s connection to Microsoft servers. Temporarily disconnect from any VPN and check if the Store works. If it does, reconfigure your VPN to allow Microsoft Store traffic.

Why does the error return after I restart my PC?

This usually means the service startup type reverted to Manual or Disabled. Check services.msc again after reboot. If it changed back, a third-party tool or group policy is overriding your settings. Look for “Windows Update” policies in gpedit.msc or in your security software’s settings.

Should I reinstall Windows to fix this?

Only as a last resort. The steps above, especially the DISM and SFC commands and the Media Creation Tool upgrade, resolve the vast majority of cases without a full reset. A full reinstall is rarely needed for this specific error.

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

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