Windows update failing with 0x80070424

The error code 0x80070424 typically indicates that a required service is not running or is missing. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

1. Check Windows Update Services: Ensure that the necessary Windows Update services are running. You can do this by:
   • Pressing Windows + R, typing services.msc, and hitting Enter.
   • Look for the following services and ensure they are set to Automatic and are running:
     • Windows Update
     • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
     • Cryptographic Services
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: This built-in tool can help identify and fix common issues with Windows Update. You can find it in Settings under Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update.
3. Check for Corrupted Files: Corrupted system files can also cause update failures. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Run the command: sfc /scannow
   • Wait for the process to complete and follow any instructions provided.
4. Reset Windows Update Components: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to reset the Windows Update components manually. This can be done using the following commands in an elevated Command Prompt:

      net stop wuauserv
      net stop cryptSvc
      net stop bits
      net stop msiserver
      net start wuauserv
      net start cryptSvc
      net start bits
      net start msiserver
   

5. Check for Malware: Sometimes malware can interfere with Windows Update. Run a full system scan using Windows Defender or any other trusted antivirus software.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking further assistance or looking into more advanced troubleshooting methods.

References:

• Windows Update common errors and mitigation
• Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures