[Solved] Fix Update Error 0x8007042c on Windows PC

Windows 10 has always been vulnerable to different error codes and issues. In this post, we will discuss one such error code 0x8007042c that appears when you are trying to install the latest cumulative updates or feature updates.

When this error occurs, you might see an error message as well that reads the following –

0x8007042C -2147023828 Error_Service_Dependency_Fail, The dependency service or group failed to start

What causes this error 0x8007042c in Windows?

Windows Update errors mostly occur due to the presence of corrupt system files, problematic external software like antivirus, or corruption within the System Image.

Additionally, an update error will also occur when the essential services are either disabled or not running in the background. So, before you apply any workaround, first ensure these services are running on your Windows PC.

Windows Update
Cryptographic Services
Background Intelligent Transfer Service

To check them, open the Run (Win + R) dialog first, and type “services.msc” on it. Click OK so that the Services window opens up. On it, search for the above-mentioned services and see what’s written next to them under the Status column. if any of these services are found disabled, right-click on them, and hit Start.

Solutions to Windows Update Error 0x8007042c

Assuming you did ensure running all the essential services on Windows, and the error 0x8007042c still persists, go through the below list of solutions, and work on them. The most probable solutions to fix this error code are as follows –

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder
Manually install pending updates

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a built-in tool that can easily resolve common problems related to updating issues on Windows 11/10. Try running this utility and check if the error code resolves this way. The procedure to troubleshoot the Windows Update is as follows –

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app.
Choose Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Go to the right pane and open the link named Additional troubleshooters.
Select Windows Update and then hit the Run the troubleshooter button.

This will start checking for pending starts and other possible culprit files.
Once it completes the process, close the window and restart your computer.

Note: Windows 11 users will find the update troubleshooter setting at a different location and that is:

Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters

Under “Most frequent”, you will find Windows update and a Run button beside it. Click on this Run button and follow the on-screen instructions that come moving forward.

2. Rename the SoftwareDistribution Folder

The error 0x8007042c might also occur when the update components have somehow corrupted or damaged. In order to fix this error, you must rename the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders. Here’s how –

First of all, start Command Prompt as an administrator.
On the elevated console, execute these commands one after another. These codes are to disable all update-related services. Make sure to press the Enter key after each command.

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

Now that you have stopped all update services, rename both Windows Cache folders by running these two codes.

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

Restart all the services that have been stopped earlier. To do so, type the following commands and hit Enter after each one –

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

Restart your computer next so that the recent changes become effective from the next login.

When Windows 11/10 reloads, you may try again to update Windows. Hopefully, this will happen without getting into an error code 0x8007042c. If it’s still persisting, continue to the next workaround.

3. Manually download and install pending updates

Since you are here, the above two methods must have failed to solve the error code 0x8007042c on Windows. Well, you may download the standalone packages of recent updates by visiting Microsoft’s Update Catalog and manually installing them on your computer. Here’s a guide on how to proceed with this task on Windows 11 or Windows 10.

How do I Check the Windows Update Services status?

Windows update services must be running in the background for any update to function normally. If that’s not the case, the update process will eventually fail on some error code or another. Here’s how to check for the essential services on Windows PCs.

Windows Event Log, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Windows Update, BITS, & Cryptographic Services

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “services.msc” without quotes and hit OK to open the Services window.
From the list of services, locate and double-click on the Windows Event Log service.
In the Properties window, ensure the Startup type is set as Automatic and the Services status is Running.
Similarly, double-click on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service. Set the Startup type as Automatic and ensure the Services status is Running.

Now double-click on the Windows Update service. Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic. And, if the Service status is Stopped, click on the Start button and then hit OK to save the changes.
Repeat the above steps for BITS and Cryptographic Services as well.

Now that you have enabled all required services on Windows, restart your computer. From the subsequent login, check if you can update Windows normally.

Hope it helps!