Troubleshooting Guide: Fixing The Service is not Responding to the Control Function Error

In this guide, we will walk through the process of troubleshooting and fixing the 'The Service is not Responding to the Control Function' error. This error is commonly encountered when managing Windows services and can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as service timeout, insufficient permissions, and incorrect service settings. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you can effectively resolve this error and ensure the smooth operation of your Windows services.

Table of Contents

1. Check Service Timeout
2. Verify User Permissions
3. Inspect Service Settings
4. Update Service Dependencies
5. FAQ

Check Service Timeout

The first step in troubleshooting the 'The Service is not Responding to the Control Function' error is to check if the service is taking too long to respond to the control request. By default, Windows services have a 30-second timeout period. If the service does not respond within this period, the error may be triggered.

To increase the service timeout period, follow these steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

1. In the right pane, look for the ServicesPipeTimeout DWORD value. If it does not exist, right-click on an empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ServicesPipeTimeout.
2. Double-click the ServicesPipeTimeout DWORD value and set its value data to the desired timeout period in milliseconds (e.g., 60000 for a 60-second timeout).
3. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Verify User Permissions

Insufficient user permissions can also cause the 'The Service is not Responding to the Control Function' error. To resolve this issue, ensure that the user account running the service has the necessary permissions.

To check and modify the user permissions, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter to open the Services console.
2. Locate the service that is causing the error, right-click on it, and select Properties.
3. Navigate to the Log On tab and ensure that the correct user account is selected.
4. If necessary, update the user account and password, then click OK.
5. Right-click on the service again and select Restart. Check if the error persists.

Inspect Service Settings

Incorrect service settings can also lead to the 'The Service is not Responding to the Control Function' error. To fix this issue, inspect the service settings and make the necessary adjustments.

To inspect and modify the service settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Services console by pressing Win + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter.
2. Locate the problematic service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
3. Navigate to the General tab and ensure that the Startup type is set to Automatic.
4. Check the Service status. If it is not running, click the Start button.
5. Click OK and close the Services console. Check if the error persists.

Source: Microsoft Developer Network

Update Service Dependencies

Service dependencies can also cause the 'The Service is not Responding to the Control Function' error. If a service depends on another service that is not running or is malfunctioning, the error may be triggered.

To update the service dependencies, follow these steps:

1. Open the Services console by pressing Win + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter.
2. Locate the problematic service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
3. Navigate to the Dependencies tab and check the list of dependent services.
4. For each dependent service, ensure that it is running and functioning properly.
5. If necessary, update the dependent services and restart the problematic service. Check if the error persists.

Source: Microsoft Developer Network

FAQ

What are the common causes of the 'The Service is not Responding to the Control Function' error?

Some common causes of this error include service timeout, insufficient user permissions, incorrect service settings, and service dependencies.

How can I check the status of a Windows service?

You can check the status of a Windows service by opening the Services console (services.msc) and looking at the Service status field in the service's properties.

Can I change the default service timeout value?

Yes, you can change the default service timeout value by modifying the ServicesPipeTimeout DWORD value in the Windows Registry.

How can I identify service dependencies?

You can identify service dependencies by navigating to the Dependencies tab in the service's properties within the Services console.

Can I run a Windows service under a different user account?

Yes, you can run a Windows service under a different user account by updating the user account and password in the Log On tab of the service's properties.