How to Fix Windows Resource Protection Could Not Start The Repair Service

Why Does the Error "Windows Resource Protection Could Not Start the Repair Service" Happen?

Understanding the root cause of this error is the first step toward an effective solution. This section explains the common culprits behind the failure of the Windows Resource Protection service.

The error "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service" usually points to one of the following underlying issues:

Disabled Windows Modules Installer Service: The System File Checker relies on the Windows Modules Installer service (TrustedInstaller) to function. If this service is disabled or not running, SFC cannot initiate a scan.

Corrupted System Files: The very files that SFC is designed to repair can sometimes be so severely corrupted that they prevent the service itself from starting.

Hard Drive Errors: Bad sectors or file system errors on your hard drive can interfere with Windows operations, including the ability to run repair services.

Problematic Windows Updates: In some cases, a recent or pending Windows update may have conflicts or not been installed correctly, resulting in system instability.

How to Fix "Windows Resource Protection Could Not Start the Repair Service"

Now, let's move on to the practical solutions. This section provides five detailed methods for troubleshooting and resolving the error, enabling the Windows Resource Protection service to function as intended.

Method 1: Enable and Start Windows Modules Installer Service

This method ensures that the critical service required by SFC is running correctly. We will walk you through the steps to check, enable, and start the Windows Modules Installer service.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.

Step 3. In the list of services, locate Windows Modules Installer.

Step 4. Double-click on it to open its Properties window.

Step 5. Set the "Startup type" to Manual.

Step 6. Click the Start button to run the service.

Step 7. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Step 8. Restart your computer and try running the sfc /scannow command again.

Method 2: Run SFC in Safe Mode

Booting your computer in Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. This can help bypass conflicts that might be preventing SFC from running.

Step 1. Restart your computer while holding down the Shift key to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Step 2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and click Restart.

Step 3. After your PC restarts, press F5 or 5 to select Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Step 4. Once in Safe Mode, right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Step 5. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Method 3: Run DISM Scan

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool is another powerful utility that can repair the Windows system image, which may, in turn, fix the issues preventing SFC from running.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for "cmd" in the Start Menu, right-click, and select "Run as administrator").

Step 2. Type the following command and press Enter to check the health of the system image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Step 3. If any issues are reported, run the next command to repair the Windows image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 4. Once the DISM scan is complete, try running sfc /scannow again.

Method 4: Install Windows Updates

Ensuring your operating system is up-to-date can resolve many underlying bugs and conflicts that might cause the "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service" error.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2. Go to Update & Security.

Step 3. Click on Check for updates.

Step 4. Allow Windows to download and install any available updates.

Restart your computer after the updates are installed and see if the issue is resolved.

Method 5: Check and Repair Bad Sectors for Hard Drive

Persistent errors can often be traced back to physical problems with your hard drive. This section introduces a powerful third-party tool to check for and repair these issues.

When native tools fail, a professional disk management utility can often provide a more robust solution. AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is a comprehensive and free tool designed to manage and optimize your hard drives. It offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features, including the ability to check partitions for bad sectors, which could be the root cause of the "Windows Resource Protection could not perform" error.

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Step 1. Install the software and launch it. Right-click the partition that you want to check and select Advanced > Check Partition.

Step 2. There are 3 options to test your device. Choose one according to your needs and click OK. 

If you want to find out and repair the wrong parts on your disk, choose the first option.

Step 3. The operation will be completed successfully in a few seconds or minutes. Click OK to finish this task.

If you want to check for bad sectors, select the second option to scan your partition, or use the Disk Surface Test to scan the entire disk.

After the scan, normal and damaged sectors will be clearly displayed. You can then attempt to repair the bad sectors as needed.

Further Reading: How to Recover Lost Files When SFC Scannow Not Working?

In some unfortunate cases, the issues causing the "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service" error can also lead to data loss. If you find that some of your files are missing and system tools are not working, you can turn to a professional data recovery solution.

The "Data Repair" function, available in the professional edition of AOMEI Partition Assistant, is an excellent tool for this purpose. It can scan your drives to recover lost or deleted files, providing a safety net when system utilities fail.

Step 1. In the main interface, click on Recover > Recover Data.

Select the drive where your lost files were located and click Start Scan.

The tool will perform a comprehensive scan. Once complete, you can browse and select the files you wish to recover.

Ending

The "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service" error can be a significant roadblock, but it is not insurmountable. By systematically working through the solutions provided, from enabling the necessary services and running scans in Safe Mode to utilizing the powerful DISM tool, you can effectively resolve this issue.

For more persistent problems related to hard drive health, a dedicated tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a reliable way to check for and repair underlying disk errors. By following this guide, you can overcome this frustrating error, restore the integrity of your Windows system, and ensure your computer runs smoothly.