'Service registration is missing or corrupt' Error
The 'Service registration is missing or corrupt' Error is an error that prevents an application's service from running due to lacking the necessary Registry information. Although it can be due to improper Registry edits, it also is a possible problem with failed updates and software installation routines. Windows users can take advantage of multiple ways of resolving a 'Service registration is missing or corrupt' Error and restoring the affected service's functionality for free.
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When Services Encounter Registry Hiccups
The Registry is an integral element of the operating that users overlook since it rarely requires manual maintenance. However, the appearance of a 'Service registration is missing or corrupt' Error can necessitate more direct intervention into this component than is usual. Usually, this error isn't a security problem and often appears in a failed update or software-installing scenarios.
Most programs should add any required Registry entries as part of their install routines. For non-essential components that cause such errors, users, ordinarily, can delete and then reinstall the program to correct any problems. Users who know which specific program is the source and recognize the missing Registry entry can manually check and edit it in the Windows Registry Editor. However, this solution only is preferable for advanced users.
If the user knows the service's name, they should check its startup conditions and status. To do this, open the Services app from the taskbar's search field and scroll down to all affected services' entries. Set startup type to 'automatic' and choose 'start' so that the service runs. Examples of possible services that may create this error include Windows Update, the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and Cryptographic Services.
For some Windows components, users might also find it helpful to manually disable them, rename associated files (to force Windows to re-acquire them), and re-enable the features. Open the Control Panel with admin privileges and enter the following commands, one line at a time:
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
- ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
This solution is specific to recovering Windows system components related to the Windows Update feature and isn't necessarily appropriate for restoring Registry data for other services.
More Applications for Fixing a Glitched Service
Other repair options are available for users who require more solutions than the above ones. Although not applicable to every scenario, one of the easiest is resetting the Microsoft Store app's cache. Type 'wsreset' into the taskbar's search field to restart the Store and clear its cache of saved file data.
Users with malfunctioning programs that require the .NET Framework also may reset their .NET installations. Open the Control Panel, open Programs, and choose 'Turn Windows features on or off.' Left-clicking to remove the check on .NET Framework entries (or other features) uninstalls them. Re-checking the unchecked element will reinstall it.
More generalized file repair and recovery options exist, such as DISM and SFC (Deployment Image Servicing and Management, and System File Checker, respectively). Users can launch DISM with the Command Prompt line of 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth,' and SFC with 'sfc /scannow.'
Our experts recommend implementing specific solutions that are likeliest of having relevance to the malfunctioning service before trying general ones like the SFC. While the 'Service registration is missing or corrupt' Error usually isn't a security problem, ongoing errors like this one should receive all due attention, especially if they happen with other symptoms, such as system slowdowns or browser settings changes.
As intimidating as the prospect of diving into the Registry is, it's just another piece of the operating system worth repairing as necessary for users who keep their calm. Fortunately, Windows offers many default solutions for a 'Service registration is missing or corrupt' Error, but even better, most users never will see one.
Run an SFC Scan
SFC stands for “System File Checker.” This utility allows users to check Windows system files for corruption and fix them. Let’s look at how to use the System File Checker tool to scan your System and restore corrupted and missing system files.
Corrupt and missing Windows Resource Protection (WRP) files cause Windows to stop working correctly. It could cause Windows to crash or cause Windows functions not to work as expected. “sfc /scannow” is one of the SFC commands available at your disposal.
Start by opening Command Prompt with admin privileges. Type “Command Prompt” into the search bar on your computer, right-click it and then choose “Run as administrator” to open an elevated Command Prompt. You can use an elevated Command Prompt for access to more commands, including an SFC scan.
Type “sfc /scannow” into Command Prompt and hit the Enter key to begin the scan. The System File Checker starts immediately but please note it can take a while – up to fifteen minutes – to complete.
Wait for the scan to finish and restart your computer after to see if the error persists.
Check Windows Update Service
Windows uses Windows Services to change how Windows runs and uses services on your computer. These services run programs and manage resources and system settings on your machine. You can change the service settings if you wish for better performance or security or troubleshoot errors like this one.
You’ll need access to the Windows Service options for this step. Hold the Windows key and press R to open the Run command. Type “services.msc” into the Run box and click OK to begin.
Find the “Windows Update” section in the Services window. Right-click the option and choose “properties” from the menu. Find the “Startup Type” option in the properties window and change it to “Automatic.”
Look for the “Service Status” and click “Start” to start the Windows Update service. Click on “Apply” to finish and save your changes. This step would restart Windows Update if something caused it to stop working.
Go back to Windows Services and find the “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” options and then “Cryptographic Services.” Repeat the same steps from before for this service too.
Reset Microsoft Store Cache
Resetting the Microsoft Store Cache may also help solve the “Service Registration is Missing or Corrupt” error with your computer. You can do this with the WSReset.exe command. This command lets you restart the Microsoft Store and clear the cache. This command also restarts any services associated with Microsoft Store. We’ve heard from several people who say that this helped them solve the error.
Get started by typing “WSReset.exe” into the search bar on your computer. Press Enter to run the command. The service runs automatically, so all you need to do is sit back and wait. Restart your computer and see if the error persists.
Run DISM Scan
DISM refers to “Deployment Image Servicing and Management.” The service prepares and repairs Windows images, including Windows Recovery Environment, Windows PE, and Windows Startup. Run the Command Prompt with Administrator privileges and type in the following command, “DISM /Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth.” Hit Enter on your keyboard to run the command.
Check to see if you still get the “Service registration is missing or corrupt” error after the DISM scan finishes.
Reinstall .NET Files
The NET file extension refers to “netViz Project File” and is a program built to enable data visualization. These files are used for flowcharting and diagrams with business models and IT infrastructures. These NET files are a vital component of Windows operations. Problems with these files lead to Windows errors, including the “Service registration is missing or corrupt” error. Resetting them may fix the problem.
Start by opening the Control Panel. Change the view to “Category,” and find the “Programs” category and open it.
Find the “Programs and Features” tab and click “Turn Windows features on or off.” This displays a list of Windows features. Please uncheck boxes associated with “.NET” to uninstall the .NET files on your machine. The process can take some time to complete. Click “OK” when everything is finished to save the changes.
Open the window again and this time check all the boxes you previously unchecked. Doing this will make your computer reinstall clean versions of the .NET files it just removed. Restart the computer when the process finishes to see if it solves your “Service registration is missing or corrupt” problems.
Uninstall Antivirus Programs
Please note that we don’t mean to suggest you should leave your computer without any protection against viruses. This is a temporary step where you uninstall your current antivirus program to see if that fixes the error or not. Some antivirus programs can cause the error thanks to being outdated. If the antivirus vendor didn’t update virus definitions properly, it might cause problems with Windows Update.
We’ve heard from people who were able to fix the error by changing the antivirus program. Restart your computer after removing the antivirus program and see if the “Service registration is missing or corrupt” error remains or not. If the error continues, reinstall your antivirus program as soon as possible to keep your computer protected.
We recommend disabling the Firewall on your computer to see if that fixes the error. Disable the Firewall and check Windows Update to see if it runs properly or not. If it’s been a long time since you last ran Windows Update, the Firewall could be the cause of the “Service registration is missing or corrupt” error on your computer.
Here’s how to disable Windows Firewall if you don’t know how;
- Open the Control Panel and type “Firewall” into the search box. Click “Windows Defender Firewall” from the list of results.
- Find the option to “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” and click it.
- Click the “Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)” option to disable the Firewall on personal and public networks.
- Click on “OK” to save your changes. Close the Windows Defender Firewall settings and reboot your computer. Try rerunning Windows Update to see if the “Service registration is missing or corrupt” error happens again.