Solution: how to fix the Windows Update 0x80070422 error

Martin Brinkmann
Apr 13, 2021
Windows, Windows tips
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12

Windows operating systems may display error code 0x80070422 during updating operations. In this guide, we provide background information on the issue and solutions on how to repair devices that show the error message.

A common place for the update error to be displayed is when you open the update settings and run a check for updates, have a check run automatically by the operating system, or when the system attempts to install updates.

Windows may return the following information for that error:

There were some problems installing updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x80070422)

You may select retry, but the error will not go away when you do. The Internet is filled with blog posts and articles that claim to have a solution for the issue. Many use these post to sell troubleshooting software or backup applications, some provide solutions, but often using complicated instructions and walls of text.

Since it is such a big issue, even today, we decided to publish the guide.

Why is Windows Update showing the 0x80070422  error?

windows update error 0x80070422

The explanation that Microsoft provides in its error message is not really helpful. While it does state that there "were some problems installing updates", it does not provide a solution, other than "try again later". Usually, this will not resolve the issue.

It is clear that the error is related to updating, as it is thrown during update checks or installations. The main cause for error code 0x80070422 is that the main Windows Updates service is not running on the device, and does not start when it is required.

An administrator may have turned off the service, or it may have been disabled by Windows tweak software.

An improved error description

windows update error 0x80070422

Note: in newer versions of Windows, you may get a different and better error message. It states:

One of the update services is not running properly, but you can try to run a troubleshooter to fix the problem. Go to Start button > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, and then select Windows Update.

Running the Windows update troubleshooter will fix the issue in most cases, as it will reset Windows Update services to ensure that the service runs properly on the device.

A likely explanation for the two errors that users may get is that the "old" error code is shown in earlier versions of Windows 10 (and previous systems), and that the newer optimized description is displayed in newer versions. It is just an assumption though, as Microsoft has not published anything about this.

Check out our list of Microsoft Fix It solutions if you run an earlier version of Windows.

The solution: fixing the Windows Update error 0x80070422

windows update disabled

You may run the troubleshooter as explained in the section above to fix the issue. Or, you can fix it manually by following these simple steps:

  1. Activate the Start button to display the start menu.
  2. Type services.msc and load the result.
  3. Scroll down in the window that opens until you find the Windows Update service.
  4. Right-click on Windows Update and select Properties.
  5. Set the Startup Type to Automatic.
  6. Select OK.
  7. Right-click on Windows Update and select Start.

The following two screenshots highlight the changes that you need to make:

Windows Update Disabled

windows update disabled service

The correct Update setting

windows update automatic

When you run a check for updates after you have started the service, updating should work fine and updates should be found and installed on the device just like before. If the manual approach is not working, you may want to run the Windows Update troubleshooter to find out if it can correct the issue on the Windows device.

Closing Words

It can be quite frustrating to run into error code 0x80070422 when trying to update Windows. While experienced users and administrators known what to do, usually, it is inexperienced users that may have a hard time understanding what is going on. Users who give up in frustration may leave their system open to attacks, as vulnerabilities may not be patched because of the update error.

Now You: do you have a specific strategy when you run into errors on Windows?

Summary
Solution: how to fix the Windows Update 0x80070422 error
Article Name
Solution: how to fix the Windows Update 0x80070422 error
Description
Find out how to fix the Windows Update error code 0x80070422 on devices that prevents devices from running update checks or installing Windows updates.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Dan Donx said on January 15, 2023 at 10:29 am
    Reply

    What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?

    Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.

    If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.

  2. Dexter said on January 15, 2023 at 11:14 am
    Reply

    5. Rufus
    6. Ventoy

    PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.

    1. cdr said on January 15, 2023 at 3:32 pm
      Reply

      I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.

  3. sv said on January 15, 2023 at 6:40 pm
    Reply

    bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.

    ps…. time travelling?
    written. Jan 15, 2023
    Updated • Jan 13, 2023

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on January 16, 2023 at 5:49 am
      Reply

      This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.

  4. Anonymous said on January 16, 2023 at 8:24 am
    Reply

    Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.

  5. basingstoke said on January 16, 2023 at 11:18 am
    Reply

    I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:

    1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)

    2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)

    3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””

    4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows

    5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss

    Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:

    6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now

    Have I missed any group off this list?

    1. Heinz Strunk said on September 19, 2023 at 3:57 pm
      Reply

      You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.

      Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.

  6. ilev said on August 24, 2023 at 7:34 pm
    Reply

    Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update

    1. EP said on August 24, 2023 at 9:21 pm
      Reply

      only from windows update though
      KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site

  7. Anonymous said on August 24, 2023 at 11:05 pm
    Reply

    1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.

    2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.

    3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.

    This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
    Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.

    Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.

  8. john said on August 24, 2023 at 11:17 pm
    Reply

    Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.

    1. John G. said on August 25, 2023 at 12:08 pm
      Reply

      Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.

  9. EP said on August 25, 2023 at 3:10 pm
    Reply

    motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
    https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215

  10. EP said on August 29, 2023 at 7:32 pm
    Reply

    check out the following recent articles:

    Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
    https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/

    BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/

  11. Leonard Britvolli said on August 30, 2023 at 10:33 pm
    Reply

    While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.

  12. sembrador said on September 5, 2023 at 9:32 pm
    Reply

    My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.

  13. EP said on September 6, 2023 at 11:55 am
    Reply

    motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):

    https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277

  14. Raphael Benzo said on September 24, 2023 at 9:52 pm
    Reply

    I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
    Tank you for your help

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