Microsoft Windows users may encounter a problem when attempting to use the “SFC /SCANNOW” command where they receive an error that says:
Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service.
Follow these steps to attempt to fix the problem.
The error above is normally caused by the Windows Modules Installer service not being started. Start it with these steps.
- Select “Start” and type “CMD“.
- Right-click “Command Prompt” then choose “Run as administrator“.
- If prompted, enter a username and password that grants admin rights to the computer.
- Type “sc config trustedinstaller start= auto“, then press “Enter“. You should get a “SUCCESS” message.
- Type “net start trustedinstaller“, then press “Enter“. You should receive a message that the service was started.
Now try the “sfc /scannow” command. It should work without issue now.
Lynne says
March 1, 2019 at 6:34 amDayton March 23 2018
THANK YOU Dayton…..your tip finally did the trick. After trying everything people said on so many sites, your suggestion was the magic solution.
Thank the Lord “you thought you’d mention” it.
Xwild says
February 8, 2019 at 12:30 amPlease make sure you have your virus protection off.
I updated the avast and i notice the problem in windows 10.
now the system is working.
Avast install it own browser with out permission and it mess up the start up and corrupted some files.
tazmo8448 says
January 21, 2019 at 8:46 pmno none of the tips would get the TrustedInstaller to fire up which is the back bone to having DISM & SFC /SCANNOW work…going to install the OS again…only thing I can see to do when none of the tips work.
Keith says
September 26, 2018 at 7:57 amIf you still have an issue, make sure the service “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” (BITS) is running.
Steve says
July 13, 2018 at 1:05 amYep running 64 bit and that worked :)
M Bush says
June 24, 2018 at 4:39 pmThe trusted installer / windows module installer service started fine (actually, it was already started), but I STILL get the exact same message: “Windows resource protection could not start the repair service”
Thousands of people have the exact same problem (I’ve scoured a great many sites which also do NOT provide a solution to this problem of continuing to get the same error message no matter how many times we confirm that the trustedinstaller service is running and also trying stopping and then restarting the service.
Why can’t anyone provide a WORKING solution??
Eduardo says
May 28, 2018 at 4:24 amThank you very much it was Magic.
Dayton says
March 23, 2018 at 3:40 pmWorking on a PC which was severely violated with malware. Trying to clean up.
Found that both DISM and SFC had to have the path specified to the 64-bit versions, such as:
• C:\Windows\SysNative\DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
– and –
• C:\Windows\SysNative\SFC /scannow
Uncertain whether this will actually correct all the problems, but at least it will get those two programs to run, so I thought I’d mention it.
John says
February 22, 2018 at 5:41 pmI still get “Windows resource protection could not start the repair service” Error….
Not sure what else I can try. All the internet help is basically telling one to try the same steps. I appreciate helpful tips etc as above. But there should be some additional follow up to comments that say it did not work.
Need something more concrete, like do I need to reinstall windows etc?
tosty says
November 10, 2017 at 5:33 pmclear and simple.
thank you.
Tracy says
August 8, 2017 at 4:52 amThank you, very much Mitch!
I’m adding that one to my list of tricks– awesome sauce!
Cheers from AU,
;)
Ernest says
June 1, 2017 at 12:07 amJust like “SCOTT” above.
I still get the same error message. “Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service”
I got “SUCCESS” with the first command as well as what is listed above for the second command
I have had no icons on anything and I am unable to view the properties of any file, folder, etc.
The commands still work, just no icons. In the task manager it is now very difficult to stop running
applications and do other fun stuff.
Scott says
March 22, 2017 at 6:20 amStill doesnt allow it to work for me… oh well :(
Gary says
March 14, 2017 at 4:42 pm@Ben : An amazing catch there! THANK YOU! *HOW* did you work that one out?
I was using a 32 bit console called console2, and running as an administrator – was frustrating as hell as nothing worked. For me, this was the missing link in the chain. Really grateful man, as this has been bugging me for months. Microsoft really should have caught this one with a more meaningful error message… I wonder how many human years have been wasted from misleading error messages!