Windows wireless service is not running on this computer

Anonymous
2010-02-10T22:15:23+00:00

I have a Gateway laptop running 32-bit Vista SP2 I am unable to connect to any wireless networks. One day I had no problems and the next, I am unable to find any networks.  When I attempt to connect to a network I receive a message that Windows can't find any networks.  When the diagnose why link is clicked I get an error dialogue box that "Windows Wireless Service is not running on this computer". When the Windows network diagnostics dialogue box appears I click on "Start Windows Wireless Service" and then am told that Windows cannot fix the problem and instructs me to contact my network admin or ISP.

I have tried several fixes from different forums and nothing has worked.  I've run virus scans that haven't detected anything.  Is there a fix for this issue?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-02-11T16:44:55+00:00

Hi,

  1. Did you check the status of wireless service i.e. WLAN AutoConfig in services window?
  2. Do you've any security software installed on the computer?
  3. Did you make any changes on the computer recently?

Let's first try to start the wireless service i.e. WLAN AutoConfig service manually. To do this, login to the computer as an administrator.

  1. Click Start, type services.msc and hit enter.
  2. Locate WLAN AutoConfig service, double click on it to open its properties window.
  3. Under General tab, change the Startup type to Automatic and click Start button.
  4. Click Apply and then ok.

Try to connect to the wireless connection and check the result.

If the service still fails to start, then run system file checker tool to scan the computer for corrupt system files and fix them automatically. To run sfc scan, try the steps mentioned in this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

For more information about the wireless settings, check this link: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878035.aspx

Let us know the result of the above troubleshooting steps, so that we can look into more details and assist you further.

Regards,

Syed V

Microsoft answers support engineer.

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

48 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-01-12T17:57:50+00:00

    Thank you so much for your help  I followed your steps to reconfigure my WLAN Auto config service.  I have one additional question every morning when I turn on my pc it is always on airplane mode this is what started the problem. My Laptop is a HP/touch screen ( I absolutely HATE) with Window 10 Home (oh &the jury still out 10 also) so any thoughts on my other issue???

    A quote

    My mom use to always watch rerun after rerun of every Star Trek series and movie there was. I asked her why one day and she said to me and I quote "I love to see what the future might be for my grandkids and great grandkids, oh maybe not Generations or Voyager but look at the first Star Trek series and those communication devices they used, Now look at your flip open cell phone."

    Cathy Kopcho 1934 - 2008

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-19T16:34:07+00:00

    Guys if you get error while starting Wlan AutoConfig Service do next two simple steps.

    1. Run Command Prompt (cmd) As Administrator, type sfc /scannow and hit enter, The sfc /scannow command will scan all protected system files, and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at%WinDir%\System32\dllcache. Do not close this Command Prompt window until the verification is 100% complete.
    2. Type netsh winsock reset in Command Prompt and hit enter. Restart your PC. Hope it helps.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-20T00:35:00+00:00

    Guys if you get error while starting Wlan AutoConfig Service do next two simple steps.

    1. Run Command Prompt (cmd) As Administrator, type sfc /scannow and hit enter, The sfc /scannow command will scan all protected system files, and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at%WinDir%\System32\dllcache. Do not close this Command Prompt window until the verification is 100% complete.
    2. Type netsh winsock reset in Command Prompt and hit enter. Restart your PC. Hope it helps.

      tried it and it said I had to be signed in as an administrator.  This surprised me since I am the only user and my id says administration.  Another glitch is found.

    So far the only thing that has come close is changing the delay on restart to "0".

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-20T09:05:19+00:00

    Dear Ronald, are you sure that you have Administrator privileges? Maybe there is  other User accounts on your PC. Try to create another user with Administrator privileges. Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage Another Account > Create A New Account.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments