Quick Summary
The error code 0x80070426 on Windows can cause frustration when trying to install updates or use system functionality. This guide will walk you through common causes and fixes to get you back up and running.
Common Causes
- Corrupted Windows System Files: Corrupted or damaged Windows system files can prevent Windows from accessing necessary components, resulting in the 0x80070426 error.
- Incorrect Registry Settings: Incorrect or corrupted registry settings can cause conflicts within the system, leading to this error.
- Conflicting Software: Other software or programs may be interfering with Windows' ability to access required components, causing the error.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Fix 1: Repair Corrupted System Files and Update Windows Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This will scan and replace any corrupted Windows system files.
Step 3: Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and try to update Windows again.
Step 4: If the issue persists, ensure your Windows is up to date by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and checking for any available updates.
Method 2: Fix 2: Restart Windows Update Service and Related Services Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
- net stop wuauserv (stops the Windows Update service)
- net stop cryptSvc (stops the Cryptographic Services)
- net stop bits (stops the Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
Step 3: Once the services are stopped, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
- net start wuauserv (starts the Windows Update service)
- net start cryptSvc (starts the Cryptographic Services)
- net start bits (starts the Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
Step 4: Restart your computer after making any changes to ensure the services are fully started.
Method 3: Fix 3: Re-register Windows Update Components Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
- net stop wuauserv (stops the Windows Update service)
- net stop cryptSvc (stops the Cryptographic Services)
- net stop bits (stops the Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
Step 3: In the Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
- regsvr32 wuaueng.dll (re-registers the Windows Update engine)
- regsvr32 wucltux.dll (re-registers the Windows Update client)
- regsvr32 wups.dll (re-registers the Windows Update service)
Step 4: Once the components are re-registered, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
- net start wuauserv (starts the Windows Update service)
- net start cryptSvc (starts the Cryptographic Services)
- net start bits (starts the Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
Step 5: Restart your computer after making any changes to ensure the components are fully re-registered.
Method 4: Fix 4: Perform a Clean Boot Show Steps ↓
Step 1: Open the System Configuration tool by pressing the Windows key + R, typing msconfig, and pressing Enter.
Step 2: In the System Configuration tool, navigate to the Services tab.
Step 3: Check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services and then click the Disable all button.
Step 4: Click the OK button and restart your computer.
Step 5: After the restart, try to update Windows or use the system functionality that was causing the error to see if the issue is resolved.