Fix: WLAN AutoConfig (WlanSvc) Service Error 3

When you attempt to start the WLAN AutoConfig service (WlanSvc) in Windows 10 or 11, the error code “3” appears.

Windows could not start the WLAN AutoConfig service on Local Computer.

Error 3: The system cannot find the path specified.

wlansvc error 3

When you use the net start WlanSvc command to start the service, the same error occurs:

The WLAN AutoConfig service is starting.
The WLAN AutoConfig service could not be started.

A system error has occurred.

System error 3 has occurred.

The system cannot find the path specified.

Cause

The above error occurs if the WlanSvc service registry settings are incorrect or the “C:\Windows\L2Schemas” folder or its contents are missing.

Resolution

To resolve the WLAN AutoConfig service error code 3, follow these steps.

Step 1: Fix the WlanSvc service registry settings

  1. Download WlanSvc.zip and extract the contents to a folder.
  2. Run the REG file applicable to your Operating System (Windows 10 or 11.)
  3. Click Yes to confirm.
  4. Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.
Note: If you get the following error when importing the REG file, ignore the error message. The main settings would have been applied correctly.

Cannot import WLANSVC.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry.  Some keys are open by the system or other processes, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation.

Step 2: Run DISM and SFC

From an admin Command Prompt, run the following commands:



Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

And then, run:

Sfc /Scannow

Additional note

After SFC completes, the CBS.log file should show the following entries which indicate that the L2Schemas folder and its contents have been successfully restored.

Info      CSI    0000025e [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WLAN_profile_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000025f [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WLAN_profile_v2.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000260 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WLAN_profile_v3.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000261 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000262 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WLAN_policy_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000263 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WFD_profile_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000264 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WFD_LEGACY_profile_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000265 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\LAN_profile_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000266 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\LAN_policy_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000267 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\OneX_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000268 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v1.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000269 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v2.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000026a [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v3.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000026b [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v4.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000026c [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v5.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000026d [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v6.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000026e [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v7.xsd from store
Info      CSI    0000026f [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v8.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000270 [SR] Repairing file \??\C:\Windows\L2Schemas\\WWAN_profile_v9.xsd from store
Info      CSI    00000272 [SR] Repair complete
Info      CSI    00000273 [SR] Committing transaction
Info      CSI    0000027a [SR] Verify and Repair Transaction completed. All files and registry keys listed in this transaction  have been successfully repaired

Refer: Analyze log file entries that SFC.exe generates – Windows Client | Microsoft Learn

That’s it. DISM and SFC should have restored the missing L2Schemas folder and its contents.

See if you can start the WLAN AutoConfig service now.


One small request: If you liked this post, please share this?

One "tiny" share from you would seriously help a lot with the growth of this blog. Some great suggestions:
  • Pin it!
  • Share it to your favorite blog + Facebook, Reddit
  • Tweet it!
So thank you so much for your support. It won't take more than 10 seconds of your time. The share buttons are right below. :)

Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

Leave a Comment