5 Ways to Fix Services Not Opening on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Ensure MSC files are configured to open with Microsoft Management Console on your PC.
• Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter and scan your computer for corrupt system files.
• Try re-registering the DLL files associated with the Services app to see if that solves the problem.

Fix 1: Check Default File Association for MSC Files

MSC (Microsoft Saved Console) files on your computer store information about various systems and third-party services. If these MSC files are not configured to open with the Microsoft Management Console, the Services app may fail to open. Here’s what you can do to fix it.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and head to Apps > Default apps.

Step 2: Type .msc in the search box and click the current default app.

Step 3: Select Microsoft Management Console and click the Set default button at the bottom.

Fix 2: Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

You can always rely on Windows’ built-in troubleshooters whenever you encounter system-level issues. In this case, you can run the System Maintenance troubleshooter to fix issues with unused files, shortcuts, disk errors, and other system-related issues.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic in the Open field and press Enter.

Step 2: In the System Maintenance window, click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Fix 3: Check for Corrupt System Files

At times, important Windows system files can corrupt and prevent Windows from opening your apps. The System File Check (SFC) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tools can automatically find and fix damaged system files on your computer. Here’s how you can run them.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: In the console, type the following command and press Enter.

SFC /scannow

Step 3: Run the following commands one by one for the DISM scan.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After running the above commands, restart your PC and try to access the Services app again.

Fix 4: Re-Register DLL Files Using Command Prompt

If the SFC and DISM scans fail to find any issues, you can re-register the DLL files associated with the Services app. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu. Type terminal in the box, right-click on the first result and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: In the console, run the following commands individually and press Enter after each command.

regsvr32 msxml.dll

regsvr32 msxml2.dll

regsvr32 msxml3.dll

Restart your PC and see if you can open the Services app after that.

Fix 5: Try Clean Boot

There’s a chance that a third-party app or program is interfering with Windows and preventing it from opening the Services app. You can boot your PC in a clean boot state to check for this possibility by following the steps below.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type msconfig.msc in the box, and press Enter.

Step 2: Under the Services tab, mark the box that reads Hide all Microsoft services and then click the Disable all button.

Step 3: Switch to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

Step 4: On the Startup apps tab, select a third-party app and click the Disable button at the top. Repeat this step to disable all the third-party startup apps.

Restart your PC to enter the clean boot state. If the Services app opens as usual during a clean boot, one of the third-party apps or programs is to blame. You’ll need to review any recently installed apps and programs and remove them to resolve the issue.