Windows Update Error 0x80070422 — Fix Service Not Running

What Does This Error Mean?

Windows Update error 0x80070422 means the Windows Update service is turned off or not running. This is one of the most straightforward Windows Update errors to fix. You simply need to start the Windows Update service and set it back to automatic.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1

Common Causes

The Windows Update service was manually disabled or turned off by a user or program
A third-party optimization or privacy tool disabled the Windows Update service
Malware disabled Windows Update to prevent the installation of security patches
A failed Windows Update previously caused Windows to disable the service
Group Policy settings on a business computer are blocking the service from starting

How to Fix It

Open Windows Services. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

This opens the Services panel where you can see and control all background Windows services.
Find 'Windows Update' in the list. Double-click it to open its properties. Set 'Startup type' to 'Automatic' and click 'Start' if the service is stopped.

Also check that the 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)' is set to Automatic and running — Windows Update depends on it.
Click Apply and OK, then go back to Settings > Windows Update and try to check for updates again.

In most cases, simply starting the service is all that is needed.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.

The troubleshooter checks all Windows Update dependencies and can automatically restart stopped services.
Scan for malware. Run a full Windows Defender or Malwarebytes scan. Malware commonly disables Windows Update to prevent security patches.

If malware is found and removed, re-enable the Windows Update service using the steps above and run updates immediately.

When to Call a Professional

If the Windows Update service keeps turning itself off shortly after you enable it, malware is the most likely cause. Run a full malware scan, or have a technician perform a thorough system clean. On business computers, Group Policy controlled by IT may be intentionally blocking updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would Windows Update be disabled on my computer?

Some PC optimization programs and privacy tools disable Windows Update as part of their 'clean up' process. They often do this without clearly telling you. Check recently installed utilities if this happened unexpectedly.

Is it safe to always have Windows Update running?

Yes. Keeping Windows Update running is strongly recommended. Security updates protect your computer from viruses and hackers. Disabling Windows Update leaves your system vulnerable, especially to newly discovered threats.

What if the service starts but stops again on its own?

If the service keeps stopping, something is actively preventing it from running. Malware is the most common cause — run a full scan immediately. If no malware is found, run sfc /scannow to repair any corrupted service files.