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Windows Update Error 0x80070426? Here's the Fix

Last updated: March 2026

Error 0x80070426 during Windows Update is almost always related to conflicts with the Xbox App and Gaming Services. These services can interfere with Windows Update if they're not running properly or if their files are corrupted. The good news is that this is one of the easier update errors to fix.

Let's walk through the solutions that work most often, starting with the simplest fixes first.

In This Guide:

  • How to check and restart Xbox and Gaming Services
  • How to uninstall and reinstall Gaming Services via PowerShell
  • How to reinstall Gaming Services from the Microsoft Store
  • When to restart services versus when to reinstall

Fix #1: Restart Gaming-Related Services

Press Windows key plus R, type services.msc, press Enter, then find Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant, Xbox Live Auth Manager, Xbox Live Game Save, and Gaming Services, right-click each one, select Start if stopped or set Startup type to Automatic if disabled, restart your computer, and try Windows Update again. The first step is to check if the required services are running.

Steps:

  1. 1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
  2. 2. Type services.msc and press Enter
  3. 3. Look for these services in the list:
  4. Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant
  5. Xbox Live Auth Manager
  6. Xbox Live Game Save
  7. Gaming Services
  8. 4. For each service, right-click it and check its status
  9. 5. If any service is stopped, right-click it and select "Start"
  10. 6. If any service is set to "Disabled," right-click it, select Properties, set Startup type to "Automatic," then click Start
  11. 7. Once all services are running, restart your computer
  12. 8. Try Windows Update again

Why This Works:

Windows Update depends on these gaming-related services for certain system components. If they're not running, Windows Update can fail with error 0x80070426. Restarting these services clears any stuck states and allows Windows Update to communicate with them properly.

Fix #2: Uninstall Gaming Services via PowerShell

Right-click the Start button, select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin), type the command get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-appxpackage -allusers, press Enter, wait about 30 seconds for it to complete, then close PowerShell. If restarting services doesn't work, the Gaming Services package itself might be corrupted.

Steps:

  1. 1. Right-click the Start button and select "Terminal (Admin)" or "PowerShell (Admin)"
  2. 2. Type the following command and press Enter:
  3. get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-appxpackage -allusers
  4. 3. Wait for the command to complete (this takes about 30 seconds)
  5. 4. If you see any errors, that's normal. Continue to the next step
  6. 5. Close PowerShell

Why This Works:

The PowerShell command removes the Gaming Services package for all user accounts on your PC. This clears out any corrupted files or registry entries that might be causing the conflict with Windows Update. Once it's removed, you can reinstall a clean copy.

Fix #3: Reinstall Gaming Services from Microsoft Store

Open the Microsoft Store app, search for Gaming Services, click on it in the results, click the Get or Install button, wait for installation to complete, restart your computer, and try Windows Update again. After uninstalling Gaming Services, you need to reinstall it.

Steps:

  1. 1. Open the Microsoft Store app
  2. 2. Search for "Gaming Services" in the search box
  3. 3. Click on "Gaming Services" in the results
  4. 4. Click the "Get" or "Install" button
  5. 5. Wait for the installation to complete
  6. 6. Restart your computer
  7. 7. Try Windows Update again

Tip:

If you can't find Gaming Services in the Microsoft Store, you can also use this direct link in your browser: ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9MWPM2CQNLHN. This will open the Gaming Services page directly in the Store app.

Fix #4: Reset Microsoft Store Cache

If the Microsoft Store isn't working properly or you can't install Gaming Services, resetting the Store cache can fix download and installation problems.

Steps:

  1. 1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
  2. 2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter
  3. 3. A blank command prompt window will appear for about 30 seconds
  4. 4. The Microsoft Store will automatically open when the reset is complete
  5. 5. Try installing Gaming Services again

Why This Works:

The Microsoft Store cache can become corrupted, preventing app installations. Resetting it clears the cache and forces the Store to rebuild its database. This often fixes issues where the Store won't download or install apps properly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗Don't disable Gaming Services permanently: Even if you don't use Xbox features, Windows needs these services for certain system functions.
  • ✗Don't skip the restart after reinstalling: Gaming Services needs a restart to integrate properly with Windows.
  • ✗Don't use third-party uninstallers: Always use the PowerShell method shown above to ensure clean removal.
  • ✗Don't forget to check all four services: All gaming-related services need to be running, not just one or two.

How to Prevent This Problem

  • ✓Keep the Microsoft Store updated: Regular Store updates prevent compatibility issues with Gaming Services.
  • ✓Don't disable system services: Avoid using third-party tools that disable Windows services, as they can cause update problems.
  • ✓Install Windows updates regularly: Keeping Windows current prevents compatibility issues between components.
  • ✓Run Windows Update Troubleshooter monthly: This can catch and fix service issues before they cause errors.

Still Getting Windows Update Error 0x80070426?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows Update need Gaming Services?

Gaming Services is part of Windows' core app platform infrastructure. Even if you don't play games, Windows Update uses components from Gaming Services for certain system updates and Microsoft Store integration. When Gaming Services is missing or corrupted, Windows Update can fail with error 0x80070426.

Can I just uninstall the Xbox App instead?

Uninstalling the Xbox App won't fix this error because the problem is with Gaming Services, not the Xbox App itself. Gaming Services is a separate component that runs in the background. You need to specifically uninstall and reinstall Gaming Services using the PowerShell method described in this guide.

What if the PowerShell command gives an error?

It's normal to see errors when uninstalling Gaming Services via PowerShell, especially if it's already partially removed or corrupted. The command will still work in most cases. If the error persists, make sure you're running PowerShell as Administrator. You can verify by looking for "Administrator" in the PowerShell window title.

Do I need an Xbox account to fix this?

No, you don't need an Xbox account or even a Microsoft account to fix error 0x80070426. Gaming Services will install and run without signing in. The services need to be present and running on your system, but you don't need to use them or sign in to them.

Will this fix affect my installed games?

Uninstalling and reinstalling Gaming Services should not affect your installed games. However, if you have games installed through the Xbox app or Microsoft Store, you may need to sign in again after reinstalling Gaming Services. Your game saves and progress are typically stored separately and won't be affected.