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

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-02-16T17:55:45+00:00

     I changed ownership of the file to "administrator" rather than "system" and this allowed me to replace the file. (Yes, you will get a message saying this will make your system less secure. - Change it back when you are done if you want to... I didn't bother.)

    ...

    P.S. Don't be offended by the term "geek squeak".... the rest of us would be lost without you!

    You can't change ownership back to SYSTEM.  It is an intentional design for security that you can only take ownership, you cannot give it back.  This prevents non-authorized users from taking ownership, getting the file or altering contents then reverting ownership back with the original owner being none the wiser.

    Not offended at all :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-28T20:49:04+00:00

    Thank you! Worked for me!

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-06-11T18:53:44+00:00

    I got the same problem as antgaudi with error 1747 and managed to solve it like this:

    * Get a elevated command prompt (i.e., a command prompt running as administrator - you can find instructions on how to do this here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833 )

    * Type netsh winsock reset* When that finishes, it'll say that you need to need to restart your computer.

    * Do that.

    * Success! (at least for me)

    THIS!!!! Thank you very much!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-06-14T01:31:31+00:00

    I have an Inspiron 1520 and just ran into the same problem today.  I tried all the suggestions in this thread, but the above one finally worked for me!  Thanks for the help!

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