Windows Update error 0x80070422: the Windows Update service is disabled

You see error 0x80070422 when you try to check for updates in Windows 10 or Windows 11, usually after a failed update attempt or after you've used a tweaking tool that disables services. The exact trigger is any action that stops the Windows Update service (wuauserv) from running — this includes third-party debloaters, manual service config changes, or even some antivirus apps that block update-related services.

What's actually happening

Windows Update depends on two services to function: the Windows Update service (wuauserv) and the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). Both must be set to Automatic and running. When wuauserv is disabled — set to "Disabled" or "Manual" and not started — Windows Update can't even begin its check. Error 0x80070422 is the direct result: the service returns a status code saying "I can't start."

The fix: re-enable both services

Skip all the registry hacks and SFC scans you'll see online. The root cause here is almost always a disabled service, not corrupt files. Here's the fix in 5 steps.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Scroll down to Windows Update. Right-click it, choose Properties.
3. In the Startup type dropdown, pick Automatic. Click Apply, then click Start to run it now.
4. Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). Same thing: set it to Automatic, apply, then start it.
5. Close the Services window. Open Windows Update and try again.

The reason step 3 works: by setting wuauserv to Automatic, Windows will start it on boot, and clicking Start ensures it's running right now. BITS is needed for downloading updates — without it, the update check might succeed but downloads will stall.

If it still fails

Two things to check:

• Is another service blocking it? Check if the Windows Update Medic Service (WaaSMedicSvc) is also disabled. Set it to Manual (not Disabled). This service is a recovery guard — it re-enables wuauserv if something disables it again.
• Did an antivirus or firewall kill it? Temporarily disable your third-party AV (like Norton, McAfee, or Malwarebytes) and try the update. If it works, you'll need to add an exception for wuauserv in that AV's settings.
• Last resort: run the Windows Update troubleshooter. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update and run it. It'll do exactly what we did above but also check for locked files. I've seen it fix nothing most of the time, but it's worth 2 minutes.

Note: If you're on Windows 11 22H2 or later, the Windows Update service won't show as disabled if you used a tool like O&O ShutUp10 — those tools often hide the service by modifying the registry under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv. In that case, use Registry Editor to check the Start value: 2 = Automatic, 3 = Manual, 4 = Disabled. Set it to 2, reboot, then try updates.