Windows System Errors
Windows 0x80070422 The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or has no enabled devices
Reviewed for reference consistency: April 11, 2026
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or has no enabled devices
What 0x80070422 Means
The 0x80070422 error on the Windows System Errors indicates the service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or has no enabled devices. This typically occurs due to windows update service is manually set to 'disabled'.
The 0x80070422 error is a direct signal from the Service Control Manager. It means a process tried to start a service that is currently flagged as disabled, preventing it from ever entering a running state.
How to fix 0x80070422
General informational guidance, not professional advice. Commands can affect your system or data — back up first and proceed at your own risk. FixerCode is an independent reference, not affiliated with any vendor mentioned.
Set Windows Update to start automatically
0x80070422 means the required service is disabled. Change its start type back to automatic from an elevated prompt.
sc config wuauserv start= autoStart the service
After re-enabling the start type, start the service so the requested operation can run.
net start wuauservRe-enable the dependent services
Update and Store features also need BITS and Cryptographic Services running, which debloat scripts often disable.
sc config bits start= auto & sc config cryptsvc start= autoConfirm the state in the Services console
Open the Services manager and verify the services show Running with a Manual or Automatic start type.
services.msc
Technical Background
Windows services have start types: Automatic, Manual, and Disabled. If a service is 'Disabled', even an explicit command from an administrator or the system itself will fail with 0x80070422.
This error often arises after 'debloating' scripts or optimization utilities are run. These tools frequently disable services to minimize background activity, which can inadvertently break core OS features like the Microsoft Store or Windows Update.
Restoring the service to a 'Manual' or 'Automatic' state is the only way to resolve this specific code, as it reflects a deliberate configuration state rather than a software crash.
Common Causes
- Windows Update service is manually set to 'Disabled'
- Required dependency services are not running
- System optimization tools or malware have turned off core services
Typical Scenarios
- A user tries to check for updates but has previously disabled the 'Windows Update' service to save resources
- A background task fails because the 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service' (BITS) is disabled
What to Know
Ensuring that 'Windows Update', 'BITS', and 'Cryptographic Services' are set to 'Manual' or 'Automatic' in the Services management console (services.msc) restores core functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Windows 0x80070422 error
A required service (usually Windows Update) is disabled in the system settings. Enabling it allows the operating system to perform the requested task.