0x80070422 on Windows 11: How to Easily Fix This Error Code

Error code 0x80070422 on Windows 11 usually appears when trying to update your system or activate Windows. This error typically indicates that Windows Update or other related services are not functioning correctly, preventing the update or activation process from completing. If you're seeing this error, don’t worry, there are several effective ways to fix it.

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How Can I Fix Error 0x80070422 on Windows 11?​

1. Restart Windows Update Services​

The most common cause of error 0x80070422 is that the Windows Update service is not running or has been disabled. Restarting the service can resolve the issue.

1. Open Services:
   • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Windows Update Service:
   • Scroll down to find Windows Update in the list of services.
3. Start or Restart the Service:
   • Right-click on Windows Update and select Start if it’s not running. If it’s already running, select Restart.
4. Set to Automatic:
   • Double-click Windows Update and set the Startup type to Automatic in the Properties window.
5. Restart Your PC:
   • After restarting the service, reboot your computer and try updating again.

This method ensures that Windows Update is functioning properly, which is often the root cause of error 0x80070422.

2. Enable IPv6​

Disabling IPv6 can sometimes cause problems with Windows Update. Re-enabling it can help fix error 0x80070422.

1. Open Network Connections:
   • Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Open Properties:
   • Right-click your active network connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose Properties.
3. Enable IPv6:
   • In the Networking tab, check the box next to Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) if it’s not already checked.
4. Click OK:
   • Save the changes and close the window.
5. Restart Your Computer:
   • Reboot your PC and check if the error persists.

Enabling IPv6 ensures that your network connection fully supports all Windows Update requirements.

3. Check Network List Service​

The Network List Service helps Windows identify the network connection status. If this service is not running, it may cause error 0x80070422.

1. Open Services:
   • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Network List Service:
   • Scroll down and find Network List Service.
3. Restart or Start the Service:
   • Right-click the service and select Start if it’s not running, or Restart if it is.
4. Set to Automatic:
   • Double-click Network List Service, and in the Startup type dropdown, choose Automatic.
5. Restart Your PC:
   • Restart your system and try the Windows Update or activation process again.

Running the Network List Service ensures that Windows can recognize and communicate over your network.

4. Disable Third-Party Antivirus Software​

Third-party antivirus programs can sometimes interfere with Windows Update, causing error 0x80070422. Temporarily disabling your antivirus software might solve the problem.

1. Disable Antivirus Temporarily:
   • Open your antivirus program and look for an option to disable it temporarily.
2. Try Updating Again:
   • Once disabled, try running Windows Update or activating Windows again.
3. Re-enable Antivirus:
   • After testing, re-enable your antivirus software to ensure your system stays protected.

Antivirus programs can block certain services needed for updates or activation, so disabling them temporarily can resolve conflicts.

5. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter​

The Windows Update troubleshooter can automatically detect and fix many common issues that prevent updates from installing, including error 0x80070422.

1. Open Troubleshoot Settings:
   • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
   • Under Most frequent, find Windows Update and click Run.
3. Follow the On-Screen Instructions:
   • Let the troubleshooter scan your system and fix any issues it finds.
4. Restart Your PC:
   • Once the troubleshooter has completed, restart your computer.

The troubleshooter is a convenient way to fix common issues with Windows Update, including error 0x80070422.

6. Disable the Network Connection and Re-enable It​

If there’s a temporary issue with your network connection, disabling and re-enabling it can refresh the connection and fix the error.

1. Open Network Connections:
   • Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Disable Network Connection:
   • Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose Disable.
3. Re-enable Network Connection:
   • After waiting a few seconds, right-click again and select Enable.
4. Try Updating Again:
   • After re-enabling the network, try running Windows Update again to see if the error is fixed.

Disabling and re-enabling the network connection can refresh settings and resolve temporary network-related issues.

7. Use Group Policy Editor to Configure Windows Update Settings​

For users running Windows 11 Pro or higher, the Group Policy Editor can be used to manage Windows Update settings, which might help fix error 0x80070422.

1. Open Group Policy Editor:
   • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Windows Update Settings:
   • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
3. Edit Configure Automatic Updates:
   • Double-click Configure Automatic Updates and set it to Enabled.
   • Choose the appropriate automatic update setting, such as Auto download and schedule the install.
4. Apply the Changes:
   • Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
5. Restart Your PC:
   • Reboot your system and try running the update again.

Configuring Windows Update through the Group Policy Editor can help resolve issues related to the update service.

8. Reset Windows Update Components​

If none of the above methods work, resetting the Windows Update components can help.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Stop Windows Update Services:
   • Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enterafter each:
     arduino
     Copy code
     net stop wuauserv
     net stop cryptSvc
     net stop bits
     net stop msiserver
3. Rename Software Distribution Folder:
   • Type the following commands to rename the Software Distribution and Catroot2 folders:
     mathematica
     Copy code
     ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
     ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
4. Restart Windows Update Services:
   • Restart the services you stopped earlier by typing these commands:
     sql
     Copy code
     net start wuauserv
     net start cryptSvc
     net start bits
     net start msiserver
5. Restart Your PC:
   • Reboot your system and try running Windows Update again.

Resetting the Windows Update components clears any corrupted files or settings that might be causing error 0x80070422.

9. Perform a System Restore​

If the error started after a recent change to your system, performing a system restore can revert your PC to a time when everything was functioning correctly.

1. Open System Restore:
   • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Go to System > Recovery > Advanced startup and select Restart now.
2. Choose System Restore:
   • In the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
3. Select a Restore Point:
   • Choose a restore point from before the error started.
4. Complete the Restore:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore process.

System Restore can revert changes that may have caused error 0x80070422 to appear.

Can I disable Windows Update Medic Service in Windows 11?​

In Windows 11, Microsoft added a new service named Windows Update Medic Service (WaaSMedicSVC), which stands for Windows Update Medic Service.

This service can be disabled at any moment, and you can do so with the help of Service Manager. However, when you try to disable it through the Service Manager, you receive an Access Denied prompt.

Furthermore, the service is only temporarily stopped since the Windows operating system automatically switches on the update at some time.

Error 0x80070422 on Windows 11 can be caused by various issues, from Windows Update services not running to network configuration problems. By following the steps outlined in this guide—restarting services, enabling IPv6, resetting Windows Update components, and using built-in troubleshooting tools - you should be able to resolve the error and get your updates or activation process running smoothly.