1. Identify the Service That Is Not Running
The first step in fixing a Windows service that is not running is to identify which service is having the issue. To do this, open the Services window by typing “services” into the Windows search bar and selecting the Services app. In the window that opens, you will see a list of all the services installed on your computer. Look for any services that are listed as Stopped or Not Responding.
2. Check for Dependencies
Once you’ve identified the service that is not running, the next step is to check for any dependencies. A dependent service is one that will not start until another service has been successfully started. For example, the WebClient service needs the IIS Admin service to be running first before it can start. To check for any dependencies, right-click the service that is not running, select Properties, and then go to the Dependencies tab. Take note of any services listed here.
3. Start Any Dependent Services
If there are any dependent services listed in Step 2, the next step is to try and start them. To start a service, go back to the Services window and right-click the service, then select Start. If the service fails to start, you’ll need to investigate further to determine the cause.
4. Check the Service Logs
If starting the service in Step 3 did not fix the issue, the next step is to check the service logs. To do this, go back to the Services window and right-click the service, then select Properties. Go to the Log On tab, then select “View Event Logs”. This will bring up the event logs for the service, which will contain any errors or warnings related to the service.
5. Edit the Registry
If all else fails, the next step is to try and edit the registry. The registry contains settings related to all installed programs, including services. To edit the registry, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, then type “regedit” and press Enter. Navigate to the following folder:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
Look for the entry for the service that is not working. Right-click it and select Export, then save it somewhere safe. Now right-click the entry again and select Permissions. Ensure that the account you are logged in with has Full Control permissions.
6. Reinstall the Service
If none of the above steps have worked, the last resort is to reinstall the service. To do this, first uninstall the service by going to Control Panel, selecting Programs and Features, then selecting Uninstall a Program. Find the service in the list of installed programs and select Uninstall. Once the service has been uninstalled, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of the service. Install the service and then reboot your computer.
7. Troubleshoot Other Software Issues
If none of the steps above have been successful, it is likely that the issue is related to some other software installed on your computer. To troubleshoot this, start by checking the Windows Event Logs (as detailed in step 4). Then, check the application logs for any third-party software installed on your system. Finally, check for any updates or patches for the software that may be available and install them if necessary.