Fix Windows Error 0x80070426
ERROR_SERVICE_NOT_ACTIVE
Windows cannot complete the requested operation because of a windows services failure involving Service Control Manager and Windows Registry.
Severity: Medium
This error can disrupt normal use and should be resolved soon to prevent escalation.
Best next step: Follow the manual fix below, or use the automated Rebuild-Services repair for a one-click solution.
What Does Error 0x80070426 Mean?
Windows cannot complete the requested operation because of a windows services failure involving Service Control Manager and Windows Registry.
The Windows components directly involved are Service Control Manager, Windows Registry, Service Dependencies, System Services. A failure in any of these components can trigger this error on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
When Does Error 0x80070426 Appear?
- 1When starting Windows services
- 2During application launches
- 3When Windows features fail to work
- 4After malware removal
Symptoms of Error 0x80070426
- !Windows services fail to start with error 0x80070426 (ERROR_SERVICE_NOT_ACTIVE)
- !Services.msc shows the affected service as "Stopped" with 0x80070426
- !Dependent applications fail because the underlying service reports ERROR_SERVICE_NOT_ACTIVE
- !Event Viewer logs Service Control Manager errors with code 0x80070426
Most Likely Causes of Error 0x80070426
How to Fix Error 0x80070426
There are two approaches: a manual fix for advanced users comfortable with Windows system tools, and an automatic fix using RescuePC Toolkit.
⚠️ Manual Fix (Advanced Users)
Start the required Windows service.
Note: Manual fixes require administrative privileges and familiarity with Windows system tools. Incorrect modifications can cause additional issues.
✅ Automatic Fix (Recommended)
RescuePC Toolkit can run the Rebuild-Services repair automatically with one click.
The automated repair handles all the technical steps safely, creates a restore point before making changes, and provides a detailed log of all actions taken.
How RescuePC Toolkit Fixes Error 0x80070426
RescuePC Toolkit's Rebuild-Services repair automates the manual fix steps for error 0x80070426. Specifically, it:
- ✓Creates a system restore point before making any changes
- ✓Runs the automated repair sequence for windows services errors
- ✓Logs every action taken so you can review what was changed
- ✓Does not touch personal files, documents, or installed applications
What it does not fix: If error 0x80070426 is caused by failing hardware (bad RAM, dying hard drive, or a defective component), no software tool can resolve the underlying physical problem. In that case, hardware replacement is necessary. RescuePC Toolkit will detect and report hardware-level issues when possible.
How to Prevent Error 0x80070426
- ✓Avoid disabling Windows services manually and create restore points before system changes to prevent 0x80070426.
- ✓Avoid modifying service settings manually
- ✓Run regular malware scans
- ✓Create restore points before system changes
When Error 0x80070426 Points to a Bigger Problem
This error is often part of a broader windows services problem. If it keeps happening or appears with related symptoms, use the full troubleshooting guide.
- →If the error returns after fixing, run
sfc /scannowandDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthto check for deeper system file corruption - →If multiple windows services errors appear together, consider running the full RescuePC Toolkit "Fix All" scan to address all detected issues at once
Frequently Asked Questions About Error 0x80070426
Why does error 0x80070426 (ERROR_SERVICE_NOT_ACTIVE) happen on my PC?
Error 0x80070426 occurs because the service has not been started. The most common trigger is start the required windows service.
What is the fastest way to fix ERROR_SERVICE_NOT_ACTIVE (0x80070426)?
The manual fix is to start the required Windows service. For a faster solution, RescuePC Toolkit's Rebuild-Services repair automates this entire process in under 5 minutes, including creating a safety restore point first.
Does error 0x80070426 affect both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, error 0x80070426 (ERROR_SERVICE_NOT_ACTIVE) can occur on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The underlying cause — the service has not been started — exists in both operating system versions. The fix procedure (start the required windows service) works identically on both.
Related Windows Services Errors
If you're experiencing error 0x80070426, you may also encounter these related errors:
Related Troubleshooting Guides
Error 0x80070426 is often related to broader Windows problems. These step-by-step guides cover the full troubleshooting process:
Explore Windows Services Troubleshooting Hubs
Error 0x80070426 is part of a broader category of windows services issues. These comprehensive hubs collect all related guides, repairs, and error codes in one place:
Fix Error 0x80070426 Automatically
The Rebuild-Services repair handles error 0x80070426 in 1–5 minutes. RescuePC Toolkit includes 109+ repairs across all Windows error categories.
No credit card required • Works on Windows 10 & 11 • Upgrade anytime