tried to sign into windows defender and keep getting error message 0x80070426

david pearson 0 Reputation points
2026-09-29T08:35:27.1333333+00:00

Hi

ive recently tried to sign into windows defender but i keep getting the same error message 0x80070426 even when i try a different e mail address ?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update
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  1. Ramesh Srinivasan 88,460 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-29T09:18:00.4033333+00:00

    Hi David,

    Do you mean the Microsoft Defender app? Error 0x80070426 denotes that a service has not been started.

    Press Win + R, type services.msc and click OK.

    Right-click "Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant" and click Start.

    If you get any errors, post the error message here.

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