First, fix the 0x80070424 error by running the Windows Update troubleshooter. If it is invalid, check and start the critical services (such as Windows Update, BITS, Cryptographic Services, etc.), then run the command prompt as an administrator and rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders and re-register the relevant DLL files. Then execute the sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth commands to repair the system files. After excluding interference from third-party antivirus software or malware, if the service is still missing, try to restore through the registry or use the system restore. In most cases, the error can be solved by resetting the service and updating the components.

Error code 0x80070424 in Windows 10 typically appears when trying to use Windows Update , Windows Defender , or other system services. It usually means that a required service (often the Windows Update service or Security Center service ) is missing, disabled, or not running properly.

Here's how to fix it step by step:

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

This is the easiest first step.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot .
• Click on Additional troubleshooters .
• Select Windows Update , then click Run the troubleshooter .
• Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.

This built-in tool often detects service issues and resets them automatically.

2. Check and Restart Critical Services

The error may occur if key services are stopped or disabled.

Open Services Manager:

• Press Win R , type services.msc , and press Enter .

Check these services and ensure they are running and set to Automatic startup:

• Windows Update
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
• Cryptographic Services
• Windows Defender and Security Center (if applicable)

To fix:

• Right-click each service > Properties .
• Set Startup type to Automatic .
• If the service is not running, click Start .
• Click Apply > OK .

If you get an error when starting a service (like "Error 2: The system cannot find the file"), that often means a system file or registry entry is missing — go to step 3.

3. Re-register Windows Update Components (via Command Prompt)

Corrupted or missing update components can cause 0x80070424.

Run as Administrator:

• Press Win X > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin) .

Run these commands one at a time, in order:

 net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msserver

Then rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders (this resets update cache):

 ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

Now re-register the necessary files:

 regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browser.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe crypt32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe duster.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

Finally, restart the services:

 net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msserver

Close Command Prompt and restart your PC.

4. Repair System Files

Run System File Checker and DISM to fix corrupted system files.

In Admin Command Prompt:

 sfc /scannow

Wait for it to complete (can take 15–30 mins). If it finds and fixes issues, restart.

Then run:

 DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for completion (requires internet connection), then restart again.

These tools repair core Windows files that may be causing the missing service error.

5. Check for Malware or Overzealous Antivirus

Sometimes third-party antivirus tools or malware disable Windows services.

• Temporarily disable third-party antivirus.
• Run a full scan with Windows Defender or a trusted tool like Malwarebytes .
• Make sure no program has disabled Windows Update or Security Center.

Some "optimizer" tools disable services to "speed up" Windows — avoid them.

6. Registry Fix (Only if Service is Missing)

If the Windows Update service or Security Center is completely missing from Services, it may have been deleted from the registry.

?? Warning : Editing the registry is risky. Back up first ( File > Export in Regedit).

To restore Windows Update service:

• Press Win R , type regedit , press Enter .
• Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv

• If it's missing, you may need to restore it from another PC or use a trusted registry fix.

Alternatively, use a system restore point from before the issue started.

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Summary: Quick Fix Order

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter .
2. Check and start required services .
3. Reset SoftwareDistribution and re-register DLLs via CMD.
4. Run SFC /scannow and DISM .
5. Scan for malware or conflicting software.
6. As last resort, use System Restore or repair install.

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Most cases of 0x80070424 are resolved by resetting services and update components. The key is making sure the Windows Update and related services are present and running.

Basically, it's not a hardware issue — just corrupted or disabled system services. Fix those, and Windows should update normally again.

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