Services Error 2, The system cannot find the file specified

When some users try to start or restart a Service from the ServiceManager, Windows fails to do the same. According to this error, Windows is unable to find the files required to start the process. In this post, we will see what to do when you get Services Error 2, The system cannot find the file specified.

What is System Error 2?

Error 2 occurs when the operating system is unable to locate the service it asked to start, hence, it says “Windows could not start the Service on Local Computer, Error 2, The system cannot find the file specified“. This absence can be a result of various factors such as corrupted system files, disabled dependent service, conflicting drivers, and corrupted profiles. We will resolve this error in this post.

Fix Services Error 2, The system cannot find the file specified

Changing the setting of a particular service is causing the error. There can be many reasons for this error, such as unintentional file deletion, incorrect application uninstallation, or corruption of system files. We are going to delve into the reasons and solutions mentioned below:

1. Run SFC and DISM
2. Check Service dependencies
3. Enable the Service in Safe Mode
4. Create a new user profile
5.  Run System Restore

Let us talk about them in detail.

1] Run SFC and DISM

First of all, let us run the System File Checker (SFC)which is a built-in utility of the Windows operating system that helps administrators to scan their system files for corruption or any other changes. We have Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), which is yet another utility to scan and repair system files. Follow the steps given below to run the DISM Tool.

Here’s how to do the same:

• Press the Windows key and type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• Click Yes and enter the following command in the command prompt.

sfc /scannow

The SFC utility will run for a while and if any wrong thing is found, it replaces them while rebooting.

• Now enter the following command to run the DISM utility.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Finally, reboot your system and hopefully after rebooting the issue will be resolved.

2] Check Service dependencies

Windows services often depend on other services to function properly, known as Dependencies. If a service on which your present service depends isn’t functioning correctly, you could get an error. If this happened to your service then go and restart all Dependencies Service. Hopefully, after restarting the dependencies service, the issue will be resolved.

• Press Windows + R key to open the run dialog box.
• Type services.msc and hit the enter button.
• Search the service which has an issue and double-click on them.
• Now, click on the Dependencies tab to check the services on which your current service depends.
• Here, verify all dependent services should be running, If not, right-click on each service and select Start.

This post will show you how to find the Dependencies of a Windows Service.

3] Enable the Service in Safe Mode

Next up, let us boot your computer in Safe Mode and then enable the service from there. It allows your system to start with only the most basic drivers, features, and services. So, open your computer in Safe Mode and then enable the service that was not opening earlier, now check if the issue is resolved.

4] Create a new user profile

The Service error you are getting could also be due to the corruption of your user profile. If this happened in your case then surely you will get errors and inconsistencies with system functions. In this scenario, we should make a new User Profile and then log in with the newly created user to resolve this issue. Follow the steps given below to do the same.

• Press Windows + I key to open the Setting app.
• On the left side of the screen, click on Accounts option.
• Now click on Other users.
• Here, click on Add account.
• Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information and then click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to create a profile..

Finally, log in with the newly created user and hopefully this issue will be resolved.

5] Run System Restore

System Restore is a Microsoft tool and it will take a snapshot of the system files, windows registry and keep those settings as Restore Points. If system malfunctions or data corruption occurs, System Restore will revert your computer to the previous state. Do keep in mind that this will only work if you have already created a System Restore or if your system automatically takes a Snapshop. Follow the steps given below to run the System Restore.

• Press the Windows key and type Create a Restore point and hit the Enter button.
• Go to the System Protection tab and click on System Restore.
• Now click on the Next button.
• Here, click on the Show more restore points option.
• Select the time before the issue happened and click on the next button.

Finally, after rebooting the computer your issue will be resolved.

Hopefully, you will resolve the issue using the solutions mentioned in this post.

Read: Windows Services will not start.

How do I fix The system cannot find the file specified error?

The system cannot find the file specified error can occurs if System files are missing or corrupted or Required Driver files are missing. To resolve this error, Run System File Checker and Identify and reinstall the driver software.

Read: Windows could not start the Windows Update service on Local Computer