How to Fix Error 0x80070422: Windows Update Service Not Running

Error 0x80070422 appears when Windows Update cannot start because the required services are disabled or not running. This is a common issue after third-party software disables Windows Update, or after malware infections.

Fix 1: Enable Windows Update Service

Press Win+R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Scroll down to Windows Update, right-click it, and select Properties. Change Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start), click Apply, then click Start. Also ensure that Background Intelligent Transfer (BITS) and Cryptographic Services are set to Automatic and running.

Fix 2: Check Related Services

Windows Update depends on several other services. In Services manager, verify these services are running with Automatic startup type: Background Intelligent Transfer (BITS), Cryptographic Services, Windows Installer, and Software Protection. If any are disabled, change them to Automatic and start them.

Fix 3: Scan for Malware

Malware often disables Windows Update to prevent security patches from installing. Run a full scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes. If malware is found and removed, it may have damaged system files, so follow up with SFC /SCANNOW and DISM scans to repair any damage.