If you're seeing error 0x80070422 in Windows 10, chances are that you're having a problem with Windows Update. Let's look at how to fix error 0x80070422 and what causes this issue.
What Is Windows Error 0x80070422?
Before we start, it's worth mentioning what 0x80070422 in Windows 10 even means. As it turns out, this is most often a Windows Update error.
When it pops up, any pending Windows updates will not install correctly. You might see a message like "There were some problems installing updates" or "Windows Update is disabled" in the Windows Update panel when it occurs.
This error prevents you from updating your computer properly, which can open you up to security problems if not fixed. Since you expect Windows Update to run smoothly in the background, Windows Update errors are frustrating.
Thankfully, this error isn't usually too hard to fix, as it has a common cause.
1. Restart Your PC
While it's common advice for all errors, it's important to restart your computer before moving onto further troubleshooting. Restarting can often clear up temporary issues, so you don't want to waste time working on a problem that has a simple fix.
After you reboot, try to install the latest updates again at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If you see the error again, continue on. Keep in mind that it's not a bad idea to restart after performing each of the below steps, either.
2. Fix the Windows Update Service
Much of the time, Windows Update error 0x80070422 happens because of an issue with the Windows Update service. If you weren't aware, Windows services are processes that run in the background, independently of your user account. Your computer has dozens of services, most of which run at startup and work silently.
The Windows Update service is one that's built into Windows. If this stops working properly, Windows Update will fail to run properly. Thus, it's a wise place to check first---just note you need admin rights to use it.
To open the Services manager, type services into the Start menu to open its panel. You'll see a list of dozens of services here, but you only need to worry about one for now: Windows Update. Double-click it to open the Properties window, where you can change how it works.
If the Startup type box says Disabled, this is likely what's causing error 0x80070422. The default option is Manual (Trigger Start); since you're having an issue, try Automatic. Also on this page, if the Service status says Stopped, click Start.
After making these changes, try running Windows Update again.
3. Restart Other Services
While you're in the Services panel, there's another service to check: Network List. This service is responsible for identifying networks your computer is connected to and keeping information about them, so you wouldn't think it's relevant. Despite this, many people have reported that restarting it fixes error 0x80070422.
In the Services manager, locate Network List Service. Right-click it and choose Restart to kill it and start it again, which will hopefully fix the problem.
While you're here, or if further steps don't fix the problem, you should also make sure that all of the following services are running:
- BitLocker Drive Encryption Service
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- Network Connections
- Windows Defender Firewall
4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows includes a number of automated troubleshooting tools to fix common problems. While these sound great in theory, they often don't do anything of value. But they're still worth a try, as they only take a moment to run.
Head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and click Additional troubleshooters to see the full list of tools. Under Get up and running, select Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter to launch the appropriate one.
The tool will check for problems, then let you know if it finds actions to take. If it couldn't identify the problem, you can select View detailed information to see what Windows tested for.
5. Disable IPv6
Because Windows Update relies on your internet connection, another solution for error 0x80070422 is disabling IPv6 in Windows. IPv6 is the successor to the IPv4 protocol, designed to allow for many more possible addresses than the earlier version.
Even though it will be important in the future, many devices don't use IPv6 yet. As a result, if it causes a problem, you can usually disable it without issue.
To disable IPv6 in Windows 10, enter control panel in the Start menu to search for that utility and open it. If View by in the top-right shows Category, change it to Small icons and choose Network and Sharing Center. Here, click the link text next to Connections in the top-right to open options for your current network.
In this panel, click the Properties button, which will open another window. There, scroll down to find Internet Protocol Version 6 and clear the checkbox next to it. Hit OK to save your changes, then you've successfully disabled IPv6. Restart and try downloading updates again.
6. Check a Few Registry Values
If you still haven't resolved error code 0x80070422 at this point, you should next check a few Registry entries to make sure they're correct. Remember that editing the Registry improperly could damage your system, so be careful while you're in there.
Type regedit into the Start menu to open the Registry Editor utility. Then drill down to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Windows Update > Auto Update
If you see a key titled EnableFeaturedSoftware, make sure it's set to 1. Otherwise, double-click it to change the value to 1.
If you don't see this key, or if this doesn't fix the issue, other users have reported that changing another Registry key fixed their problem. Head to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AppXSvc
Here, if the key Start is anything other than 3, double-click this and change it to 3, then reboot and try again.
7. Perform Advanced Windows Update Troubleshooting
In case nothing above fixed the problem, the error has a deeper cause. You'll need to dig further to discover what's going on, and may even need to do an in-place reinstall of Windows 10 to repair corrupted files.
We have more help for you: check how to use SetupDiag for more advanced Windows Update troubleshooting and steps to resolve most Windows update problems.
Windows Update Error 0x80070422 Fixed!
We've looked at several common causes for this Windows 10 error and how you can fix them. Hopefully, your issue was as simple as restarting the Windows Update service. Now your computer will be up-to-date again!
For more control over updates in the future, you might also want to know how to turn off Windows Update temporarily.