Fix Windows Error 0x80070422 (0x800070422)

Windows error 0x80070422 (often mistyped as 0x800070422) typically appears when the Windows Update service fails to start, usually because the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) or the Windows Update service is disabled or blocked. This guide walks you through the most reliable fixes, from re-enabling services to using the built-in troubleshooter, so you can get updates working again.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows PC (you’ll need to approve User Account Control prompts).
An internet connection (for downloading updates or running online troubleshooters).
About 15–30 minutes of time, depending on which fix you need.

Step-by-Step

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter – Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (on Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters). Select Windows Update and run it. This tool automatically detects and fixes common issues like disabled services or corrupted update files. Restart your PC afterward and try updating again.
Set Windows Update and BITS services to Automatic – Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find Windows Update (or wuauserv) in the list. Right-click it, select Properties. Set Startup type to Automatic (or Automatic (Delayed Start) if that’s an option). If the service is stopped, click Start. Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and Cryptographic Services (also called CryptSvc). Apply and OK.
Repair the Windows Update components manually – Open Notepad and paste the following lines:
```
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
```
Save the file as fixupdate.bat (make sure the file type is “All Files”). Right-click the file and select Run as administrator. This stops the update services, renames the folders where Windows stores downloaded updates and cryptographic data, then restarts the services. After it finishes, restart your PC and try updating again.
Check your system date and time – Incorrect date or time can cause update errors. Right-click the clock in the taskbar and select Adjust date/time. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. If they’re already on, toggle them off, wait a few seconds, and turn them back on. Restart your PC.
Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM – Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd”, right-click, and select Run as administrator). Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for it to complete. Then type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This repairs corrupted system files that might be blocking Windows Update. Restart your PC when both are done.
Reset Windows Update components via a script – If the manual steps above didn’t work, download the official “Windows Update Troubleshooter” from Microsoft’s website (search for “Windows Update Troubleshooter download”). Run it and follow the prompts. It automates the same steps as the manual method but also resets the Winsock catalog and the Windows Update service registry keys.
Check for third-party interference – Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall (if you use a third-party one) and try updating. If that works, add Windows Update to the exceptions list. Also, check if any VPN or proxy software is active – disconnect from them and try again.

Common Mistakes

Not running as administrator – Many steps (like opening services.msc or running the batch file) require admin rights. If you get “Access denied,” right-click and choose “Run as administrator.”
Typing the wrong command – In the batch file, ensure you type net stop wuauserv (not “wuauserv” with a typo) and that the folder names are exactly SoftwareDistribution and catroot2.
Skipping the restart – After changing service settings or running repairs, a restart is often necessary for the changes to take effect. Don’t skip it.
Deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder – You should rename it, not delete it. If you delete it, Windows will recreate it, but you might lose the ability to roll back updates. Renaming is safer.

Tips

Use the “Automatic (Delayed Start)” option for Windows Update – This can help if the service starts too early during boot and fails.
Keep your system time accurate – Even if you set it to automatic, some PCs with a dying CMOS battery may drift. If the error returns, check the time again.
Create a system restore point before making changes to services or running the batch file. That way you can revert if something goes wrong.
Check for pending updates – Sometimes the error appears because a previous update is stuck. Restart your PC and try again after a few minutes.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after trying all the steps above, here are additional things to try:

Check if the services are actually running – Open services.msc and look at the status of Windows Update, BITS, and Cryptographic Services. If they are set to Automatic but still not running, try starting them manually. If they fail to start, look at the Windows Event Log (Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System) for error messages that might indicate a specific cause.
Run the Windows Update Reset script from Microsoft – Microsoft provides a dedicated “Windows Update Reset” script that resets all update components and policies. Search for “Windows Update Reset script” on Microsoft’s official site. Run it as administrator and restart.
Check for corrupted system files – If SFC and DISM didn’t fix the issue, you may need to perform a “repair install” of Windows using the Media Creation Tool. This reinstalls Windows while keeping your files and apps. Back up your data first.
Boot into Safe Mode – Restart your PC and press F8 (or Shift + Restart) to boot into Safe Mode with Networking. Try the Windows Update again. If it works in Safe Mode, a third-party service is interfering. Use msconfig to disable non-Microsoft services and startup items, then reboot normally.
Check your hosts file – Some security software or manual edits may block Microsoft update servers. Open Notepad as administrator, go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts, and look for any lines that mention “microsoft.com” or “windowsupdate.com”. If you find any, remove them and save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get error 0x80070422?

This error usually means the Windows Update service (wuauserv) is disabled or not running. It can also be caused by BITS being disabled, or by corrupted system files.

Can I fix this error without a third-party tool?

Yes, all the fixes in this guide use built-in Windows tools like Services, Command Prompt, and the built-in troubleshooters. No third-party software is required.

Will I lose my files if I run the batch file to rename SoftwareDistribution?

No, renaming the folder doesn’t delete your personal files. It only resets the update cache. Windows will recreate the folder automatically.

How long does the DISM command take?

It can take 10–30 minutes depending on your system and internet speed. Let it run to completion; don’t close the Command Prompt window.

What if the error appears when I try to install a specific update?

Try downloading the update manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog website. Search for the update by its KB number, download the correct version for your system, and install it manually.

Is this error dangerous?

No, it’s just a system error that prevents Windows Update from working. It doesn’t indicate a virus or hardware failure, but you should fix it to keep your system secure.

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

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