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.
Dayton says
Working 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
I 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
clear and simple.
thank you.
Tracy says
Thank you, very much Mitch!
I’m adding that one to my list of tricks– awesome sauce!
Cheers from AU,
;)
Ernest says
Just 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
Still doesnt allow it to work for me… oh well :(
Gary says
@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!