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. Md Alamin Ali 0 Reputation points Student Ambassador
    2026-10-27T20:13:48.29+00:00

    Hi, just to check, are you trying to sign in to the Microsoft Defender app, or are you opening Windows Security from the Start menu? Also, does the error appear before or after you enter your password? Since you’ve already tried another email address, let’s narrow that down before changing anything else.

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  2. Ramesh Srinivasan 89,855 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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