Fix Windows Services will not start in Windows 11/10

For the Windows operating system to run smoothly, it is imperative Windows Services start when they are required to. But it may happen that, for some reason, you may find that your important Windows Services do not start. If you are facing this issue of Windows Services not starting automatically on your Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista systems, then here are a few points you may want to consider while troubleshooting the issue.

Read: How to start, stop, disable Windows Services.

Fix Windows Services will not start

Windows Services are applications that typically start when the computer is booted and run quietly in the background until it is shut down. Strictly speaking, a service is any Windows application that is implemented with the services API. However, services normally handle low-level tasks that require little or no user interaction. Here are some suggestions. But before you start, create a System Restore point manually.

1. Check Services Startup type
2. Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State
3. Run SFC and DISM
4. Troubleshoot specific Services thus
5. Try this Hotfix
6. Try this Fix It
7. Use system restore
8. Reset Windows 11/10.

Fix Windows Service start error

1] Check Services Startup type

To manage Windows Services, you have to open the Run box, type services.msc and hit Enter to open the Services Manager. Here you can set its startup type to Automatic, Delayed, Manual or Disabled. Check if the specific service with whom you are facing problems is not set to Disabled. See if you can start it manually by clicking on the Start button.

2]  Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State

Boot in Safe Mode and see if the Service is starting. Many times, non-Microsoft services or Drivers can interfere with the proper functioning of System Services. Alternatively, you could also execute a Clean Boot and check.

3] Run SFC and DISM

Run the System File Checker ie. Run sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt. Reboot on completion and check. Windows 10/8.1 users may repair their Windows System Image and see if it helps.

4] Troubleshoot specific Services thus

If you are facing problems in starting some specific Services, check if any of these posts can help you:

• Windows Time, Windows Firewall, Windows Event Log, services fail to start
• Windows could not start the Windows Update service on Local Computer
• Windows Time Service not working
• Windows Firewall service does not start
• Windows Event Log Service not starting
• Windows Security Center service can’t be started
• Windows could not start the WLAN AutoConfig service
• Windows Search service stops
• Windows Defender Service Couldn’t Be Started
• User Profile Service failed the logon
• Group Policy Client Service failed to start
• Problem uploading to the Windows Error Reporting service
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service giving problems
• Failed to connect to a Windows service
• Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion
• Cryptographic Service Provider reported an error
• Windows Wireless Service is not running on this computer.

5] Try this Hotfix

If you are facing a problem with your Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 system – where you experience a long delay before all services are ready after you install an application, then visit KB2839217 and request for a hotfix. This can typically happen when the application creates a file whose filename is longer than 127 characters.

6] Try this Fix It

If you receive an error Windows could not start the Windows Firewall, DHCP client, or Diagnostic Policy on Local Computer on Windows 7 or Windows Vista, then apply this Fix It from KB943996.

Related: Failed to connect to a Windows service

7] Use system restore

See if restoring your Windows, using a prior good system restore point helps you.

8] Reset Windows 11/10

If nothing helps, you may have using Refresh or Reset PC in Windows 11/10.

All the best!