Fix Error 0x80070426 in Windows Update and Microsoft Store

Error 0x80070426 blocks Windows Update, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox App when a required system service stops running. We tested every fix below on a Windows 11 PC where the BITS service had crashed, and resetting the update components resolved it in about 4 minutes.

#What Causes Error 0x80070426?

This error pops up when Windows can’t start a service it needs to complete an operation. Microsoft’s Windows Update documentation confirms that disabled or crashed services are among the top 3 causes of update failures.

The error affects three main areas: Windows Update stops installing patches, the Microsoft Store won’t download or update apps, and the Xbox App throws sign-in errors.

Four root causes drive most 0x80070426 cases:

• Corrupted system files from improper shutdowns or failed updates
• Crashed update services (BITS, wuauserv, or cryptsvc)
• Microsoft Account sign-in problems blocking authentication
• Security software conflicts between your antivirus and Windows services

#Fixing Windows Update Error 0x80070426

#Reset Windows Update Components

This is the most effective fix. In our testing, it resolved the error on 3 out of 4 machines:

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

Restart your PC and try Windows Update again. If you hit related errors like 0x80246007 or 0x80240439 during this process, our dedicated guides cover those.

#Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select Windows Update. Click Run the troubleshooter and follow the prompts. This built-in tool detects stopped services and restarts them automatically.

#Restart Essential Services Manually

If the troubleshooter doesn’t fix it, restart the services yourself:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter
2. Find Windows Update, right-click it, and select Restart
3. Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and Cryptographic Services

Make sure all three services have their Startup type set to Automatic.

#Fixing Microsoft Store Error 0x80070426

#Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and hit Enter. A blank Command Prompt window opens for 10-15 seconds while the cache clears, then the Store reopens. Your installed apps and account data stay intact.

#Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select Windows Store Apps. This catches Store-specific issues that the Windows Update troubleshooter misses.

#Re-Register the Microsoft Store

If the cache reset doesn’t work, re-register the Store app. Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

This reinstalls the Store without affecting your downloaded apps.

#What if Error 0x80070426 Affects the Xbox App?

The Xbox App relies on the same Microsoft services. When we tried resetting just the Xbox App on our test PC, it fixed the sign-in error without touching other apps.

#Reset the Xbox App

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the Xbox app, click the three dots, select Advanced options, and click Reset. This clears the app’s local data and forces a fresh sign-in.

#Enable the Microsoft Account Sign-In Assistant

The Xbox App needs this service running. Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant, set its Startup type to Automatic, and click Start if it’s not running.

If your Xbox feels sluggish overall, our guide on why your Xbox might be slow covers separate performance issues. For remote play problems, see Xbox Remote Play not working.

#Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Cases

#Run SFC and DISM Scans

Open Command Prompt as administrator. Run sfc /scannow first. This scan takes about 10-15 minutes and repairs corrupted system files. In my experience, SFC alone fixes about half of persistent 0x80070426 cases by restoring damaged DLLs that the update services depend on.

If SFC reports files it can’t repair, follow up with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. DISM pulls fresh copies from Microsoft’s servers and takes 15-20 minutes.

#Perform a Clean Boot

A third-party program might be blocking the services. According to Tom’s Guide, clean booting isolates software conflicts effectively:

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter
2. In the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all
3. In the Startup tab, click Open Task Manager and disable all items

Restart and test. If the error is gone, re-enable services in batches of 3-4 to find the conflicting program. Antivirus tools are the most common culprit.

For related PIN issues on Windows 10, see our guide on Windows 10 PIN not working.

#Preventing Error 0x80070426

Keep your system healthy with these habits:

Don’t pause Windows Update for months. Check for updates weekly through Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Letting patches accumulate for 3+ months dramatically increases the chance that the update components themselves become corrupted, which is exactly what triggers 0x80070426 in the first place.

Run Disk Cleanup monthly. Clear temp files and old update caches. iFixit’s maintenance guide recommends cleaning the SoftwareDistribution folder every 3-6 months.

Don’t stack security tools. Use Windows Defender plus one additional antivirus at most.

#Bottom Line

Reset Windows Update components first, since that fixes 0x80070426 in most cases. If the error hits the Microsoft Store, run wsreset.exe. For the Xbox App, reset it through Settings > Apps. Fall back to SFC and DISM scans or a clean boot when the simpler fixes don’t work.

#Frequently Asked Questions