Group Policy Client service won't start

I have 2 new Windows 8 Pro desktop computers that have been in use for a couple of months and are having the same problem. The Group Policy Client service won't start.

When I try to start it I get a message that says "Error 5: Access is denied".

If I try to simply open the service properties, I get the message "Configuration Manager: The Plug and Play service or another required service is not available". When I click OK to that, the properties box then opens. And yes the PnP service is running and is set to Automatic.

The service is set to Automatic, logon is with the Local System account as usual, and all other automatic services are started.

I'm wondering if there is a permission on a registry key that isn't set right, but I don't know which key it would be nor what the permission should be.

Anyone seen this before with any version of Windows or how to f

August 22nd, 2013 4:25pm

Hi,

Please refer to the link below for the solution that a similar problem with you.

http://triplescomputers.com/blog/casestudies/solution-windows-could-not-connect-to-the-group-policy-client-service/

Hope this help to you.

If you need further assistance on this particular issue or any other Windows related issue, let us know and we will be glad to assist you.


Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 26th, 2013 1:26am

Hi,

Please refer to the link below for the solution that a similar problem with you.

http://triplescomputers.com/blog/casestudies/solution-windows-could-not-connect-to-the-group-policy-client-service/

Hope this help to you.

If you need further assistance on this particular issue or any other Windows related issue, let us know and we will be glad to assist you.


August 26th, 2013 1:26am

I finally got around to trying the solution at the link you provided. It does work but not completely. The service starts and runs for a while but then it shuts down and can't be restarted until I reboot the computer. It then runs for a while, then shuts down again until the computer is rebooted.

I don't understand what's going on with this but I've seen this happening on Windows 8/8.1 computers at several locations. This happens with computer that are on domains and in workgroups.

I find it hard to believe that joining a Windows 8/8.1 computer to a domain would automatically cause this.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 9th, 2014 1:21am

There is quit simple solution for this issue. You may not able to start gpsvc service as an administrator due to the permission issue, you must start the service using SYSTEM account. Please follow the below step:

1. Open CMD as administrator and run "psexec -i -s cmd" (Pstools can be downloaded from https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896649.aspx)

2. New Command  window type "net start gpsvc"

3. Type "sc config gpsvc start= auto" to set the service as "automatic"

4. Run GPUPDATE /Force to confirm the group policy is applying.

You may require a reboot to apply all the computer based group policies to be applied.

August 25th, 2015 6:35am

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics