Error code 0x8007042c indicates that Windows can no longer turn on the Firewall. The only way to detect this problem is by trying to start Windows Firewall. If it throws out the errorit means that your computer is no longer protected from untrusted networks. Some users prefer to use other antivirus products rather than the security programs that come with the Windows operating system, and in the process automatically disable the firewall and Windows Defender. These users are the ones most likely to run into the above problem. Windows Firewall monitors the flow of data into and out of your computer. In Windows 10, most programs cannot install as long as the Windows Firewall is turned off. Windows updates will most definitely not install when the firewall is turned off. If you receive error 0x8007042c when starting Windows Firewall or Windows Update on Windows 11/10, then a Service or Dependency may not be working. If you’re faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions presented below in the individual sections and in no particular order to resolve the issue.

Fix Windows Update error 0x8007042c

The suggestions you could try are:

1] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

This solution requires you to run the inbuilt Windows Update Troubleshooter and see if that helps to resolve the Windows Update error 0x8007042c issue.

Open Services Manager and ensure the following states of related Services. The default configuration on a standalone Windows 11/10 PC is as follows:

Windows Update Service – Manual (Triggered)Windows Update Medic Services – ManualCryptographic Services – AutomaticBackground Intelligent Transfer Service – ManualDCOM Server Process Launcher – AutomaticRPC Endpoint Mapper –  AutomaticWindows Installer – Manual.Windows Event Log  – AutomaticRemote Procedure Call (RPC) – Automatic

3] Reset Windows Update to default

Reset Windows Update to default and see that helps. Use the Reset Windows Update Agent Tool (Microsoft tool) or the Reset Windows Update Tool (From a 3rd-party) and see if it helps you. This PowerShell script will help you Reset Windows Update Client. See this post if you want to manually reset each Windows Update components to default. More suggestions here: Windows Update fails to install or will not download.

Fix Windows Firewall error 0x8007042c

The suggestions you could try are:

1] Turn on Windows Firewall & make sure Windows Firewall Service is running

This solution requires you turn on the Windows Defender Firewall and also ensure that the Windows Firewall service is running. Also, you could try to stop and restart the following services using a batch file. Here’s how: Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog. In the Run dialog box, type notepad and hit Enter to open Notepad. Copy and paste the syntax below into the text editor. Save the file with a name and append the .bat file extension – eg; FIX_ERROR0x8007o42c.bat, and on the Save as type box select All Files. Repeatedly run the batch file with admin privilege (right-click the saved file and select Run as Administrator from the context menu) until it reports no errors. Try updating again and see if the issue is resolved. If not proceed with the next solution. Read: Windows Firewall service does not start.

2]  Re-register firewallapi.dll

Re-register the firewallapi.dll and see if that helps. Execute the following in an elevated CMD:

3] Reset Windows Firewall

Reset Windows Firewall to default and see if that helps.

4] Disable/Uninstall 3rd party security software

Third-party AV suites are all known to cause this particular issue. In this case, to fix this issue, you’ll have to remove all third-party antivirus programs from your PC using the dedicated antivirus removal tool to remove all files associated with your antivirus program. The reason is, it’s much more efficient and invasive to use the custom uninstall tools for the AV program from the manufacturer, if available, whenever uninstalling antivirus software, as there are registries and dependencies, installed deep within the OS which the traditional Control Panel uninstaller (appwiz.cpl) might miss in most cases.

TIP: This post offers more suggestions to fix Windows Firewall can’t change some of your settings error message. Let us know if anything here helped you.