Windows Installer Service Missing; Error “The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed”

When you try to install a program that uses Windows Installer on a Windows computer, you may receive the following error.

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.

windows installer service error windows 11

windows installer service error

When you attempt to start the Windows Installer service by running the net start msiserver command from Admin Command Prompt, one of the following errors may appear:

System error 1058 has occurred.

The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

The service name is invalid.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2185.

The above errors may occur even though Windows is already in Normal mode. Instructions in this article apply to all versions of Windows, including Windows 11.

Resolution

Start the Windows Installer service

  1. Launch Command Prompt as Trusted Installer.
  2. In the Trusted Installer Command Prompt, type Services.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Services console, double-click Windows Installer
  4. Set the Startup type of Windows Installer to Manual
  5. Click Start to start the service. Note down the error message, if any.
  6. Click OK.

If the above steps do not help or if the Windows Installer service is missing in the Services applet, follow these steps:

Fix the Windows Installer Service Registry Keys

  1. Download msiserver.zip (for Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7.)
  2. Unzip and extract the appropriate registry file to the Desktop.
  3. Right-click on the registry file and choose Merge.
  4. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.
  5. Restart Windows.

Error 2 when starting the Windows Installer service?

Some users may get the following error when starting the Windows Installer service.

Windows couldn't start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer.

Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified.

msiserver service start error 2

To resolve the error, follow the steps below:

Make sure the system has internet connectivity. From admin Command Prompt, run:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
RELATED: How to Repair Windows 10/11 System Files Using DISM and SFC

Restart Windows and run the following commands:

sfc /scannow

sfc /scanfile=c:\windows\system32\msiexec.exe

I hope that helps. If the issue is still unresolved, please comment with details about what happens when you start the service.

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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a ten-time recipient of the Microsoft MVP award in Windows Desktop Experience (Windows Shell), from 2003 to 2012. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

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11 thoughts on “Windows Installer Service Missing; Error “The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed””

  4. You are a hero! I already tried a crazy lot of sites with no results.
    As a thank. I have a joke for you.
    “How much does an hipster weigh?
    1 instaGRAM”

    Reply

  5. Greetings –
    I’m running Windows10 with ESU. I’m receiving several MS updates e.g., MS Home Office, Edge etc. However, when Windows Updater attempts to download and install KB50778885, it reaches 100% , but then fails, showing a (0x80073701) error code. I’ve tried numerous fixes, but have not found the solution. I’ve noted that my Services list does not include MSI Server and I don’t know if this is an issue. Will you’re Windows Installer Service Fix at (https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/windows-installer-service-not-accessed-windows/) replace my missing MSI? – Thank you.

    Reply

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