The Dependency Service or Group Failed to Start

In the past week, I encountered a curious problem on 2 clients' Windows Vista PCs.  The symptom are:

• A red "X" on the network icon in the tray displaying the pop message - Connection status: Unknown The dependency service or group failed to start
• The PC is able to see available wireless networks
• The PC connects to available wireless networks but the status is limited and cannot connect to the Internet
• Both systems are running Windows Vista and Trend Micro virus protection

I spent a lot of time researching this problem and found that the error message "The Dependency Service or Group Failed to Start" is a somewhat generic message addressing Windows services issues.  I also found that many Internet help sites are littered with tons of bad information on this issue.  I tried many of the 'fixes' without success.  Then I found a thread on Microsoft's TechNet Forum that correctly identified my clients' problem and offered a fix that worked.  So, I give credit to Terry Downing for the fix. It worked like a charm. 

The problem:  Trend Micro's virus protection is getting confused and mistakenly identifies a Windows file as being infected with a virus.  In its efforts to remove the supposed virus, it corrupts the Windows Network Location Awareness service.  This service collects and stores network configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified.  If this service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable.  If this service is disabled, any service that explicitly depends on it will fail to start.  The Network List Service will not run when the Network Location Awareness service is disabled.  Hence, the error message that a dependency service failed to start.  The Network Location Awareness service is found in nlasvc.dll which is located in the system32 directory.

Above is a screenshot of the Services window in the Computer Management window with Network Location Awareness service highlighted.

The fix: The corrupted system file, nlasvc.dll, needs to be replaced with a working version of the file.  For your convenience, I have put a copy of it here.  Click on the link to download the file:

nlasvc.dll

If you need to delete or overwrite a system file in Windows Vista, you'll quickly notice that you cannot delete system files, even as administrator.  This is because Windows Vista's system files are owned by the TrustedInstaller service by default and Windows File Protection will keep them from being overwritten.  Thankfully, there's a way that you can get around this.  You need to take ownership of the files, and then assign yourself rights to delete or modify the file.  For this, we'll use the command line.

First, open an administrator command prompt by typing cmd into the start menu search box, and hit the Ctrl+Shift+Enter key combination.

To take ownership of the file, you'll need to use the takeown command.

At the command prompt type: takeown /f c:\windows\system32\nlasvc.dll

That will give you ownership of the file, but you still have no rights to delete, move and rename it.  Next, you need to run the cacls command to give yourself full control rights to the file:

At the command prompt type: cacls c:\windows\system32\nlasvc.dll /G your username:F

Make sure that you replace "your username" with your username exactly as it is spelled for the currently active user account on your computer.

At this point, you should be able to change the file.  Rename the file from nlasvc.dll to nlasvc.dll.old.  Next, copy the new source file that you downloaded from above to c:\windows\system32.

Once the file has been replaced you need to set the permissions back to its original state.  Locate nlasvc.dll in c:\windows\system32 in the Windows File Manager.  Right mouse button click on the file and choose Properties.

Click Security tab; Click Advanced button; Click Owner tab; Click Edit button; Click Other User or Group and type in NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller.

Press Ok on all dialogs until all property dialogs are closed.  Restart the PC and you should be back in business.

Please post a comment if this has been helpful to you.

Contact Info: info@consideritfixed.com

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Comments

[Nanette]

I am just an ordinary computer user, so these steps were challenging for me. It may sound so elementary to the experts, but we're not all experts!

This is a documentation of what I did, so some steps may have been repetitive (and possibly not necessary)

I am not sure if it is a combination of everything I did but I have a huge guess that the LAST STEP (#8) made the difference and may be done first before anything else. I have no way of knowing but it may save some time for everybody if they tried it first.

1)I tried exactly as instructed but it didn't work after all the successful feedback from DOS after each command. So I continued...
2) Click START and type RUN, press enter
3) Type REGEDIT, press enter
4) (Per Dominic'S feedback above)
- go to
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
>SYSTEM
>CurrentControlSet
>services
>NlaSvc
--Right-click to edit this key´s pemissions. Select user SYSTEM and check FULL CONTROL & READ. Do the same for Administrators and Users. Click OK and close Registry Editor window.

5)Click START, then All Programs, Accessories and right-click Command Promt, then select Run as Administrator

6)At the command prompt, type netsh winsock reset then press enter

7) Restart computer

8)LAST STEP (That made it work for me) > go to START, All Programs, Accessories and right click on command prompt select "Run as Administrator". Follow the instructions as follows:
a) At the prompt type: net localgroup Administrators /add networkservice then press enter
b) Type: net localgroup Administrators /add localservice then press enter
c) Type: EXIT then press enter
d) Restart your computer
(Source - http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f217/solved-vista-home-premium-dependency-service-or-group-failed-to-start-535234.html)

Like I said, I could not tell if the Last Step #7 did the trick by itself. It might be worth trying first. I just shared everything that I did which made it work in the end.
Good luck to those who come across the same problem!

[Mannard]

Nice article. Got a Vista system here that didn't have trendmicro, but has had (at one time or another: AVG, Avast, Spybot, and Malwarebytes)

My symptoms were: Could see wireless networks and couldnt connect.

[Jessica]

Excellent. Thanks for the help! Worked like a charm.

[bolilo]

I applied the netsh winsock reset and it worked
like a charm. Thank you very very much. You saved my hours of a real headache.

[Mary R]

Posted by: Melanie | September 13, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Melanie's Post Work For Me and I'm able to see from my computer my network connections this is a simple and easy fix... thanks Melanie, I have added a little bit of helpful information to her post just to simplify it for those who don't no abou command etc...here you go

1. open an administrator command prompt- to do this go to the start menu type in cmd in the start search spot then -- (right click the cmd prompt-- clicking run as admin
2. type netsh winsock reset in the blinking area and hit enter, then restart or
3. reboot.

this worked for Melanie her's is saying unknown network mine is showing the network great fix, thanks again Melanie

[Rafael]

I did everything, but it didn't work. I have to untake the ownership of the file

[jake]

i tried this and now cannot give permissions back says cannot access control editor

[jeff]

I skipped straight to the netsh winsock reset part (as admin) and it worked! It was the only thing I had to do. Sweet, thanks fpr the helpful post!

[pradeep]

it worked perfectly for me.. thanks heaps...

[mike]

how do i remove a script?

[Abhishek]

INCREDIBLE !!! YOU ARE JUST GREAT ....DO NOT FORGET the

typing "netsh winsock reset" in the adminstrator cmd prompt, and then rebooting the computer,

GREAT !!!

[Tiffany]

Don't understand the part locate nlasvc.dll in c:\windows\system32 in the Windows File Manager. Where is the Windows File Manager, plz help me.

[Sam]

Peter Verrey / Thank you so much! You saved me many hours of anguish tnyrig to figure out how I could get the bloody thing to work. Never had this problem before, and all of a sudden

[Nancy]

BLESS YOU ALL! You just saved me numerous hours in computer repair time and/or the unnecessary expense of a new laptop. I have been down for 3-4 days but just repaired it myself, thanks to all of you!!

[Ginu]

Thank you very much dude..It is working fine with your trick.....

[rocabrera@yahoo.com]

I came up with a solution less fancy and complicated, i created an alternate network in my router and assigned static ip's to it... From there just setup a valid static ip to your computer, check for the dns address and the network gateway in your router, and voila'... Works like a charm, I still get the red x, but regardless, my computer still connects and works at full speed,if you know of any issues arising when connecting like this, let me know, cause i haven't had any...

[Cats whiskers]

Thank you. Just thank you!

[Josh]

I work for a major computer repair company and have seen this issue countless times. I have also tried the many "fixes" found online all to no avail and have often resorted to restoring client's computers. I honestly haven't even tried your fix yet but it has got to be the most thorough fix I have found and I just wanted to say thank you. I'm pretty confident that between your article and some of the comments this will be a nonissue from now on.

[JeannieB]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I had to follow all of the above steps, also had to download and transfer per sd card and then cmd shift/ctrl/enter

netsh winsock reset catalog

And I'm back online!! Thank you thank you thank you!! :)

[jeff]

Thanks so much for your help...this worked just great on my daughter's computer

[LR]

I followed all the directions in the main article. It did not fix the problem yet.

Then I applied:
"open registry editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\NlaSvc.
Edit this key´s pemissions, adding user SYSTEM and giving Total Control to this user (add also local Administrators group with Total Control if not in the list)".

I also did:
"netsh winsock reset" in the cmd prompt run as adminstrator, and then rebooting the computer.

This worked wonderfully. Thank you to all who have made the suggestions.

[Dominic]

Amazing just amazing thank you so much for this post. It did the trick and i read it over the phone so my girlfriend could do it at home while i was at work and she understood the directions THANK YOU again

[Johnny]

For those who didn't solve the issue, this has worked for me after trying everything:

- open registry editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\NlaSvc. Edit this key´s pemissions, adding user SYSTEM and giving Total Control to this user (add also local Administrators group with Total Control if not in the list)
- start Network Location Awareness service

[Tim]

Didn't work for me. I still get the same error. Thanks for tying. I'm glad it worked for some.

[Colin Beckman]

HOW DO YOU REMAME THE FILE IN THE COMMAND WINDOW, I GOT PAST ALL THE REST THEN WAS STUMP

[Jennifer Lord]

This is what I get after this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. create an association in the control associations something i have a migraine & cant think right now???? This is what I get after doing this

First, open an administrator command prompt by typing cmd into the start menu search box, and hit the Ctrl+Shift+Enter key combination.

To take ownership of the file, you'll need to use the takeown command.

At the command prompt type: takeown /f c:\windows\system32\nlasvc.dll

[Maia]

I'm on day three with this problem. I've tried dozens of things. If someone has suggested it on the internet, I've probably tried it. Nothing helps. My System Restore won't work. My firewalls are down. My DCHP client won't start. I can't connect to the internet. I don't have a Vista DVD or I would happily reinstall the whole thing. If I buy Windows 7, will that fix the problem? I'd be furious if I installed it and still had this evil error message.

[tenis supra]

I like you on facebook and follow through google reader!

[Nina]

Also for me I tried all the above and it did not work out...

Then and fortunately, also the reset option in CDM when run as admin worked perfectly.. thanks so much

use 'netsh winsock reset' in the cdm

[Andy P]

This has just worked for me, fantastic, well done and many thanks for posting.

[TomTom]

Unfortunately I have tried all your suggestions and it is still not working. I am running Vista, but use McAfee Total 2011.
When I checked the nlasvc.dll it was on automatic, but I could not start it manually, so I replaced the file etc. I still get the same message together with limited activity. I think the problem started after the latest Vista update (20.10.2011).

[lee bernstein]

netsh winsock reset WORKED!!
And I don't know almost anything about the behind the scenes working of a computer.
Lucky I found this site on my 1st try and zeroed into this solution.

[Karen]

so I'm an idiot but how do you download if you can't get connected? :) I copied file to a flashdrive and all went smoothly until I restarted then got the same error message. Am I to delete the .OLD file? Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Zia]

Thank you so much!!!!! Worked like a charm! You should get an award!

[kristina]

I opened cmd and typed it in and its saying "error: the current logged on user does not have ownership privileges on the file...."
I don't know if I'm doing it right. Please help.

[Melanie]

This worked! thank you.

[nathanb6424]

1. open an administrator command prompt (right click command prompt clicking run as admin
2. type netsh winsock reset in the command prompt and
3. reboot.

this worked for me
(mine still says connection unknown but im still connecting to my internet, luckly this a home pc) hope this helps

[Mohamed]

Thanks for that information. That was really helping.

[Karen]

Good instructions, although ctrl_shift_enter didn't work. I had to right click on command prompt in the accessories folder in order to continue as admin. Still internet is giving me a message that says that the error message could not be found! Weird. I am going to start again and put everything back the way it was.

[RuRu]

Your site is a dream...you have no idea how many machines i run into with this issue. Did need to add the netsh winsock reset set to resolve but all worked like a dream thank you again

[Juan]

everything was fine, following instructions until.....How do I download the new file from Internet?

[Bill Fogle]

Folowed every step carefully. It didn't work.

[Vicki]

I carefully worked through the recommended steps and managed to drop in the new .dll file after renaming the old one, but rebooting yielded no improvement. The error is still happening. Fortunately, I can connect to the internet, but "the dependency group or service fail[s] to start."

[Howard]

Does this work for Windows 7?

[Merlin]

Great..its worked perfectly, thanks

[Mandy]

After literally over 9 hours of this issue and following EVERY option I found through Google... I am laughing at myself! What I would do first NOW is to make sure all services needed for WLAN AutoConfig are running! (Running Vista)The services I need running are: Extensible Authentication Protocol, CNG Key Isolation, Remote Procedure Call, DCOM Server Process Launcher, and WLAN AutoConfig.

Good luck!

[ryan]

Hi, I followed everything to a "T" but nothing worked. Then I tried a simple system restore and now I'm back in business!

[Bhaskar]

Thanks for this valuable posts,it worked perfectly.

[William]

Im having trouble, im getting the message - ERROR: The current logged on user does not have ownership privileges on the file "c:\windows\system32\nlasvc.dll"

[James]

I can't open the cmd as administrator - the same error message comes up! argh!