Error 0x80070422 appears when Windows cannot reach the update infrastructure because the underlying Windows Update service is disabled or stopped. You will typically see this code after a system restore, a third-party optimizer tool, or a misconfigured Group Policy change. The fix requires you to re-enable the service, reset the update cache, and verify that no policy is blocking the connection.
Before You Start: You need administrator privileges for every step below. Close all running applications, pause any active antivirus scans, and keep a backup of important files ready in case a restart becomes necessary.
Step 1: Re-enable the Windows Update Service
Open the Services console by pressing Windows key + R, typing services.msc, and hitting Enter. You will see a scrollable list of background services. Scroll down until you locate Windows Update in the Name column. Double-click the entry to open its properties window. Change the Startup type dropdown to Automatic, then click the Start button if the service status shows Stopped. Click Apply and OK to save the change. This action restores the background process that downloads and installs update packages, which is exactly what error 0x80070422 reports as missing.
If the Start button remains grayed out, a Group Policy or registry restriction is blocking the change. You will need to proceed to Step 5 to remove that restriction before continuing.
Step 2: Reset the Windows Update Components
Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for cmd in the Start menu, right-clicking the result, and selecting Run as administrator. You will see a black window with a prompt that reads C:\Windows\System32>. Type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each line:
net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserver
Each command returns a confirmation message like The Windows Update service was stopped successfully. If a service refuses to stop, wait ten seconds and try again, or note which service blocks the process for the troubleshooting section below.
Once all four services show a stopped status, type the next set of commands to rename the corrupted cache folders:
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
Windows will not delete these folders. It only appends .old to force the system to recreate fresh copies on the next restart. After renaming, restart the services in reverse order using net start msiserver, net start bits, net start cryptSvc, and net start wuauserv. Close the Command Prompt and reboot your PC.
Step 3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then click Run next to Windows Update. You will see a progress bar and a status message that updates as the tool scans your system. The troubleshooter checks for disabled services, corrupted update metadata, and network connectivity issues that commonly trigger error 0x80070422. When the scan finishes, Windows will display a recommendation such as Windows Update services have been restarted or No issues detected. Click Close and return to Settings > Windows Update to check for updates again.
If the troubleshooter reports that it cannot fix the problem, do not restart yet. Proceed to Step 4 to clear the cache manually, since the automated tool sometimes misses corrupted download folders.
Step 4: Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder Manually
Open File Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, and delete every file and subfolder inside. You will see a permission prompt asking for administrator approval. Click Continue to grant access. This folder stores temporary update files, and leftover fragments from a failed download often cause the 0x80070422 code to reappear. After clearing the contents, return to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Windows will download a fresh set of update metadata from Microsoft servers, which bypasses the corrupted cache.
If Windows blocks you from deleting certain files, those files are still locked by a background process. Return to Step 2 and verify that net stop wuauserv and net stop bits both report a successful stop before attempting deletion again.
Step 5: Verify Group Policy Restrictions
Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. Look for the policy named Configure Automatic Updates and double-click it. If the policy is set to Disabled, change it to Not Configured or Enabled, then click Apply and OK. Close the editor and restart your computer.
This step matters most for Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Home editions do not include gpedit.msc by default, so skip this step if you receive an error when opening the editor. After restarting, return to Settings and trigger a manual update check.
Troubleshooting Other Common Update Errors
Error 0x80070422 rarely appears in isolation. You may also encounter these codes while running the same fix sequence:
- 0x80070002 / 0x80070003: These codes indicate missing or corrupted system files. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run
sfc /scannow. Wait for the scan to finish, then runDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Restart and check for updates again. - 0x80240034: This code points to a network or DNS resolution failure. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > DNS settings and switch to a public resolver like
1.1.1.1or8.8.8.8. Flush your DNS cache withipconfig /flushdnsin an elevated Command Prompt. - 0x800F0954: This error usually appears after a major feature update fails. Run the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website, choose Upgrade this PC, and follow the on-screen prompts to perform an in-place upgrade.
What to do if the service refuses to start: Open the Registry Editor (regedit), navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv, and verify that the Start value is set to 2 (Automatic). If the value is missing or incorrect, right-click, select Modify, enter 2, and click OK. Restart and return to the Services console to start the service.
Pro Tip: Keep a second network connection ready, such as a mobile hotspot or Ethernet cable. If your primary Wi-Fi router blocks Microsoft update endpoints, switching networks often clears error 0x80070422 without any additional configuration.
After completing these steps, Windows Update should resume normal operation. You will see the familiar Restart now prompt once a successful download finishes. If you still encounter failure codes after following the full sequence, capture the error number, note which step triggered it, and visit the Microsoft Support community with those details.
Over to you: Which Windows Update error code has caused you the most trouble in the past year?
