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10 Tech How-To

Fix Server Failed 0x80070422 in Windows

Guide 10-22317 · Updated · Step by step

This error usually appears when Windows services like Windows Update or the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) are disabled or not running. The fix involves re-enabling those services and adjusting their startup types. You’ll need administrator access to your PC.

What You’ll Need

  • Administrator account on the Windows PC
  • Ability to open Command Prompt or Services app

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Services: Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
  2. Locate the Windows Update service: Scroll down to find Windows Update. Right-click it and select Properties.
  3. Set startup type to Automatic: In the General tab, change the Startup type to Automatic (or Automatic (Delayed Start) if you prefer).
  4. Start the service: Click the Start button under Service status. If it’s already running, click Stop and then Start again to restart it.
  5. Apply and close: Click Apply, then OK.
  6. Check BITS: Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Repeat steps 2–5 for this service as well. Set its startup type to Automatic and start it if it isn’t running.
  7. Also check Cryptographic Services: Find Cryptographic Services (sometimes listed as CryptSvc). Ensure it’s running and set to Automatic as well.
  8. Reboot your PC: After making changes, restart your computer to ensure the services start correctly.
  9. Try the update again: After reboot, attempt to install the update or run Windows Update again.

Common Mistakes

  • Only restarting the service without changing startup type: If the service is set to Disabled, it won’t start after a reboot, and the error will return.
  • Forgetting to check dependent services: Windows Update depends on BITS and Cryptographic Services. If any of these are off, the update still fails.
  • Not running as administrator: Without admin rights, you can’t change service properties.
  • Changing the wrong service: Make sure you’re editing the correct service name – there are several with similar names.

Tips

  • If you’re on a corporate network, Group Policy may override your changes. Contact your IT admin.
  • You can also use the Command Prompt as an administrator to run sc config wuauserv start= auto and sc start wuauserv for Windows Update, and similar commands for BITS (bits) and CryptSvc (CryptSvc).
  • Run the Windows Update troubleshooter (Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters) – it can automatically fix common service issues.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after following the steps:

  • Check if services are still disabled: Open Services again and verify the startup types are set to Automatic. Sometimes third-party software or malware resets them.
  • Use System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as admin and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted system files that might affect services.
  • Run DISM: In the same Command Prompt, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to fix Windows image issues.
  • Check for malware: Some malware disables Windows Update services. Run a full antivirus scan.
  • Reset Windows Update components: Manually resetting the update cache and re-registering DLLs can help. Search for “reset Windows Update components” for a detailed guide – but be cautious, as this involves deleting files.
  • Registry check: If services are disabled via registry (e.g., HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv), set Start value to 2 (Automatic). Be careful editing the registry – back it up first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does error 0x80070422 happen?

It’s most often because the Windows Update service is disabled or not running. Other times, it’s due to BITS or Cryptographic Services being off.

Can I fix this without admin rights?

No. Changing service settings requires administrator privileges. If you don’t have them, contact your system administrator.

Will resetting Windows Update components delete my files?

No, it only resets update-related files and registry keys. Your personal data remains untouched.

Is it safe to set these services to Automatic?

Yes, these are standard Windows services that normally run automatically. Setting them to Automatic is the default configuration.

What if the services keep reverting to Disabled?

That could indicate malware or a group policy. Run a malware scan and check with your IT department if on a domain.

Does this error affect Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes, the error appears in both. The steps are essentially the same.

Related

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

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