How to Fix the “Windows Could Not Start the WLAN AutoConfig” Service Error
The “Windows could not start the WLAN AutoConfig service” error message pops up when the users seek to connect to the internet via a wireless connection on their Windows computers.
Below, we talk about the common factors that might be contributing to the problem, followed by step-by-step instructions on how to resolve it for good.
Understanding the Potential Causes
The “Windows could not start the WLAN AutoConfig service” error can be caused by several factors, including:
It is important to identify the root cause of the problem to resolve it effectively. The troubleshooting methods we have listed below should help you fix the issue once and for all. However, since most of the methods will require administrative access to the system, we recommendswitching to an administrator account on Windowsbefore you proceed.
1. Preliminary Fixes
Before delving into the advanced troubleshooting methods, it is a good idea to try some preliminary solutions. These fixes are relatively simpler, and might help you fix the issue without having to perform any complicated steps in some cases.
To get started, ensure that the Wi-Fi adapter has a strong signal strength. A weak signal can cause connectivity issues, so consider moving closer to the router. Additionally, restarting both your computer and router can help refresh the system and potentially resolve any temporary issues.
It is also worth checking if the airplane mode is enabled, as this can lead to connectivity issues. You can click on the Wi-Fi icon in your taskbar to make sure that the airplane mode is disabled.
Another helpful step is to try connecting to a different wireless network to see if the issue persists. This can help determine whether the problem is with your system or the hardware.
If none of these tips has helped fix the issue, move to the solutions we have listed below.
2. Run the Network Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in Network Troubleshooter that can help diagnose issues related to the WLAN AutoConfig service and fix them without requiring much user input.
Here is how you can run it to fix the problem at hand:
Wait for the utility to complete its scan and display the results. If an issue is identified, the troubleshooter will either attempt to repair it itself, or suggest you solutions to fix it. In case the troubleshooter fails to find any problems, click on the Close the troubleshooter option and move to the next method below.
3. Enable and Update Network Adapter
As we mentioned earlier, the issue can also be related to outdated or corrupt drivers that are essential for the WLAN AutoConfig service to work.
In this method, we will enable and update the Wireless adapter via Device Manager, which will eliminate any driver-related issues that might be contributing to the problem.
Follow these steps to proceed:
Once the driver has been updated, you can exit the Device Manager and check if the problem is resolved.
4. Apply a Registry Fix
There can also be a problem within the Registry components related to the WLAN AutoConfig service, which is preventing you from connecting to a wireless network.
In the case of this specific error, several users managed to fix the issue by modifying the DependOnService value, so we suggest you try the same. However, before you proceed, it is important tocreate a Registry backup, just to be safe.
Once that is done, follow these steps:
5. Restart the Service
The WLAN AutoConfig service might itself be dealing with a corruption error or a glitch, which is preventing it from functioning properly.
To ensure that there is no such issue with the service, you could restart it using the Services utility. Here is how:
Perform the same steps for the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and DCOM Server Process Launcher service in the same utility. If a bug or glitch was infecting the service, these aforementioned steps should fix the problem.
Connecting to Wireless Networks Made Easy
Not being able to connect to a wireless network on your device can be frustrating. Hopefully, the solutions we have listed above helped you fix the “Windows could not start the WLAN AutoConfig service” for good. To prevent such issue from occuring in the future, make sure to keep the relevant drivers and services up-to-date.
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