Why won't windows connect to the group policy client?

Anonymous
2012-11-04T18:34:27+00:00

I am currently using a dell inspiron 7720 with windows 7 home premium and recently a small message has begun appearing above my taskbar saying

"Failed to connect to a windows service

Windows could not connect to the Group Policy Client service. The problem prevents standard users from logging on to the system.

As an administrative user, you can review the System Event Log for details about why the service didn't respond"

Anyone know why this is happening and how to fix it?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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.

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Anonymous
2016-08-21T13:45:28+00:00

The resolution is quite easy. Ignore all those tech geeks here and on other sites who just want to show off how they can fiddle with registries--a very dangerous game.  Go to Search, type cmd, open cmd as Administrator.  Type exactly this (with indicated spaces): netsh winsock repair  then press Enter. You will need to Restart (NOT shut down and turn On) your computer. Bingo! Unfortunately this condition may re-occur from time to time, like if you Start your computer before turning on your internet and establishing a good connection.  No sweat the fix takes about 3-5 minutes depending upon your computer Restart speed.

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Anonymous
2013-02-02T03:55:35+00:00

I FOUND SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM!

You did a great job on discovering the events BEFORE the issue started to occur.  I had this issue on my laptop since November, and it really bugged me.  Like you, I sifted through the event log and found absolutely the same pattern you described.

In short, the pattern is as follows: Windows updates run automatically, and when reboot is initiated after the updates are finished, the computer crashes.  When it boots up, it reports that the last shutdown was unexpected, and the issue begins to occur.

I spent 2 days trying to dig out a solution from the Internet, to no avail, until I came across this page.  It doesn't say anything about this particular problem, but it gives more information about SVCHOST process that starts many services, including Group Policy Client.  It looks like during reboot a vital registry settings were lost and Group Policy Client simply "doesn't know" how to start. Let me explain:

There are two places to look in the registry:

  1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services this path should contain gpsvc key (a folder), which is responsible for service parameters and configuration.  I found that the key wasintact, so, you do not touch anything here.
  2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SVCHOSTThis is the most important path you should look into, as it must contain the keys and values referred in the key #1.  Below are descriptions what must be present there.
  • There must be Multi-String value called GPSvcGroup. My laptop was missing it.  So, you should create multi-string value named GPSvcGroup and assign it value GPSvc.
  • Next, you must create a key (a folder) and name it GPSvcGroup
  • Then open newly-created GPSvcGroup folder and create 2 DWORD values:
  1. First called AuthenticationCapabilities and you must give it a value of 0x00003020 (or 12320 in decimal)
  2. Second is called CoInitializeSecurityParam and it must have value of 1.

Once you completed all steps above, reboot the computer and the problem will be fixed.

I am so relieved I was able to fix it, and hope this will help others with the similar issue.

Here is the link for video walkthrough: http://youtu.be/4m5KEmckWK4[http://youtu.be/4m5KEmckWK4](http://youtu.be/4m5KEmckWK4)

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168 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-30T16:29:24+00:00

    Just went through an update to 8.1 a couple of days ago, and upon rebooting PC, I get: Failed to connect to a Windows service ...could not connect to Group Policy Client" Understand the issues and the steps to take, however, I'm unable to perform function as Administrator. Every time I 'cmd' as admin, windows file explorer freezes, and about 8m later I receive "The service did not respond in a timely fashion." Additionally, I can't even perform system restore. The only option I have is to shut down/or restart, but same error messages apply. Anyone else with this issue?

    It happened to my Window 8.1 laptop week ago. Whole system just like doing nothing ... even file manager need 5~10 min to browse a directory ..... and keep find Error message like this .... 

    Really suffered ... and almost think about recover the whole system ...... and suddenly found my Office 365 expiration seems like week ago(there is possible ..) Then decide unistall Office 365 and rebook the system ..... then my problem was solved after week of suffer ... It seems to me there is a loophole handling those license if there is license expire or ..... Check it out if you have any problem which is about expired ... Either renew it or just totally remove it from your system.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-12T22:22:04+00:00

    Just went through an update to 8.1 a couple of days ago, and upon rebooting PC, I get: Failed to connect to a Windows service ...could not connect to Group Policy Client" Understand the issues and the steps to take, however, I'm unable to perform function as Administrator. Every time I 'cmd' as admin, windows file explorer freezes, and about 8m later I receive "The service did not respond in a timely fashion." Additionally, I can't even perform system restore. The only option I have is to shut down/or restart, but same error messages apply. Anyone else with this issue?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-12T13:20:52+00:00

    I have Windows 10 64-bit, and this problem recently surfaced. Your fix describes my system as it already existed. Do you have any other suggestions?

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