Windows Troubleshooter Failed or Not Working — Complete Fix Guide (With Extra Tips)

Introduction

Windows includes a built-in Troubleshooter designed to automatically detect and repair common issues — from broken network connections to sound errors and even failed Windows Updates. In many situations, running the Troubleshooter is all you need to resolve small glitches without diving into technical details.

But what if the Troubleshooter itself fails? You may see messages such as:

• “Troubleshooter couldn’t identify the problem”
• “Problems found but not fixed”
• Error codes like 0x80070005 or 0x80070057
• The Troubleshooter freezes or exits unexpectedly

If this happens, don’t panic. Below we’ll cover the main reasons the Troubleshooter fails and provide practical fixes — from simple steps for beginners to advanced tools for power users.

Main Causes of Troubleshooter Failure

Solution 1: Repair System Files with SFC and DISM

The Troubleshooter relies on healthy system files. If they’re corrupted, it may not function.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run: sfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to finish.

If SFC doesn’t resolve all errors, use DISM:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This repairs deeper system image corruption that SFC can’t handle.

Solution 2: Reset Windows Update Components

Sometimes, failed updates prevent the Troubleshooter from refreshing its diagnostic data.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Enter these commands: net stop wuauserv net stop bits ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old net start wuauserv net start bits
3. Run Windows Update and the Troubleshooter again.

Solution 3: Temporarily Disable Security Software

Third-party antivirus or endpoint security tools may interfere with repairs.

• Turn off antivirus temporarily.
• Disconnect VPN or proxy services.
• Try the Troubleshooter again.

Solution 4: Check Group Policy Settings (Pro/Enterprise)

On corporate PCs, IT administrators may disable Troubleshooters.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc.
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
3. Ensure these features are not disabled.

Solution 5: Use System Restore

If the Troubleshooter started failing recently, roll back to a stable state:

• Go to Settings > System > Recovery > System Restore
• Choose a restore point before the issue began.

Solution 6: Advanced Repairs

Run in Safe Mode

Boot into Safe Mode and rerun SFC or DISM. With fewer background processes, repairs are more likely to succeed.

Perform a Clean Boot

Use msconfig to disable non-Microsoft services and startup items. Restart and test again — this isolates conflicting software.

Use PowerShell for Deeper Fixes

Run this command to re-add failed Windows components:

Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object {$_.State -eq 'InstallFailed'} | Add-WindowsCapability -Online

Advanced Diagnostic Techniques

Check Event Viewer Logs

Open Event Viewer and check Application and System logs. Look for errors tied to:

• Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS)
• Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

These often reveal the real cause behind the failure.

Verify WMI Repository

The Troubleshooter depends on WMI. Run:

winmgmt /verifyrepositorywinmgmt /salvagerepository

If corruption is severe, reset with:

winmgmt /resetrepository

Check Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS)

1. Open services.msc.
2. Locate Diagnostic Policy Service.
3. If stopped, start it manually.

Preventive Tips

• Keep Windows updated regularly.
• Create restore points before major patches.
• Update third-party antivirus tools.
• Limit unnecessary background apps.

Summary Table of Solutions

FAQ

Q: Is the Windows Troubleshooter always reliable?
No. It’s mainly for small or moderate issues. For serious hardware or OS corruption, manual repair is required.

Q: Can manual repair work if the Troubleshooter fails?
Yes — SFC, DISM, WMI fixes, and manual service checks often solve problems far beyond the scope of the built-in tool.

Final Thoughts

Even if the Windows Troubleshooter fails, you’re not out of options. With the manual methods explained here — from simple SFC scans to advanced PowerShell fixes — most problems can still be solved. Take it step by step, and don’t hesitate to escalate to professional support if things get too advanced.

✔️ For more error code solutions, check our dedicated section:
👉 Windows Error Codes — Complete Guide

Looking for more troubleshooting tips? Check out these guides:

・How to Fix Windows Error Code 0x80004005 (Unspecified Error)

・Troubleshooting Windows 11 Update Error KB5054979 (June 2025)

・How to Fix C Drive Permission Errors in Windows 11/10

タグ: Windows Troubleshooter, SFC repair, Troubleshooter failed, DISM repair, WMI repair, Windows Update problems, Diagnostic Policy Service, System restore, Advanced troubleshooting