Error Database · Windows

0x80070426

Quick overview: 0x80070426

Activation cannot proceed because the Software Protection (sppsvc) service is stopped, disabled, or failed to start. Without this service, Windows cannot read, write, or validate any license data.

This page documents Software Protection Service Not Running on Windows. Activation codes are licensing checkpoints—they rarely indicate hardware failure. Use the steps below before assuming your product key is permanently invalid.

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Software Protection Service Not Running

Error code: 0x80070426 Platform: Windows Updated: 2026-07-17

What This Error Means

Activation cannot proceed because the Software Protection (sppsvc) service is stopped, disabled, or failed to start. Without this service, Windows cannot read, write, or validate any license data.

Malware, aggressive system tweakers, and corrupted Windows updates often disable this service.

How to Fix It

  1. Press Win+R, type services.msc, find 'Software Protection'.
  2. Set Startup type to Automatic and click Start.
  3. If Start fails, run: sc config sppsvc start= auto && net start sppsvc in admin Command Prompt.
  4. Check Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Application for sppsvc errors.
  5. Run DISM and SFC repairs, then restart the service and retry slmgr /ato.