Have you ever faced trouble due to Windows Security Center service? The most common error faced due to the Windows Security Center service is when you try to turn it on in the Action Center, and it is not turning on. If that is the case with you as well, this guide will take you through some easy and feasible solutions to fix this issue. 

What is Windows Security Center Service?

Windows Security Center is a program that performs the task of informing when there is a threat to your computer. 

The Windows Security app uses the Windows Security service to turn on the Security Center service that helps in ensuring that the app is providing updated information about the protection status on the endpoint.


What Causes the Issue with Windows Security Center Service?

Microsoft security center needs to be turned on if you need enhanced security and protection against threats. However, some of the users have been lately complaining of the issue faced when they start the security centre service. The error message is shown on the screen as follows:

‘The Security Center service can’t be started.’

Reasons for ‘The Security Center service can’t be started.’

  • Security Center has not been configured properly, hence is not starting correctly.
  • The ‘Log on User’ for Security Center has been configured inaccurately.
  • A malware is creating issues in starting or deactivating the service once it has started.

There can be other reasons as well that are leading to the problem.

How to Fix ‘Windows Security Center Service Cannot be Started’ Error?

In order to fix the issue with the Microsoft Security Center, here are the top 4 solutions that may help you:

Security Center Must Be Configured Correctly

  1. Press Win + R on the keyboard, type services.msc, and then press enter.
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press enter
  1. Double-click on the Security Center in the services window that pops up.
Double-click on Security Center

3. Click on the General tab, select the ‘Automatic’ option from the Start-up list, press ‘Start’, and then click ‘Ok’.

In the General tab, select ‘Automatic’ for Start-up type, press ‘Start’, click ‘Ok’

ALT TAG- In the General tab, select ‘Automatic’ for Start-up type, press ‘Start’, click ‘Ok’

  1. Now, you can restart your computer and check if the Security Center can be started or not.
  2. If the Windows Security Center Service still cannot be started, you have to go to the service window again and find Remote Procedure Call and Windows Management Instrumentation Services. Make sure the ‘Startup type’ and ‘Service Status’ are set to ‘automatic’ and ‘started’ respectively.
  3. After that, again check whether the ‘Windows Security Center Service cannot be started’ issue got resolved or not. 

Run Computer in Safe Mode

  1. While restarting your computer, press F8 before the Windows logo appears.
  2. Use the steps given in the above method to start the Security Center service. 
  3. If the service cannot be started, do a clean startup to fix the problem with the conflicting programs. 

Repair the WMI Repository

  1. In the search box of Windows 7, type cmd, right-click on it and choose ‘Run as administrator’.
  2. Next, type the following command winmgmt /verifyrepository in the popup window and press ‘Enter’.
type winmgmt /verifyrepository and press ‘Enter’
  1. If you get the message ‘WMI repository is consistent’, it means that the error ‘Windows Security Center service can’t be started’ is not instigated due to the WMI repository. 
message ‘WMI repository is consistent’
  1. If you get the message ‘WMI repository is inconsistent’, it means that you need to repair the WMI repository. To repair it, please type the command winmgmt /salvagerepository in the popup window and press ‘Enter’.
  2. Afterwards, you will receive a message ‘WMI repository has been salvaged’. Exit the window and restart your computer. Now, check if the issue with the Security Centre has been resolved.

Check If Security Service is Configured to Local Service Account

The error ‘Windows Security Center Service cannot be started’ can also arise if the Security service is not configured to run under the Local Service account. So, in order to fix this error, ensure that the service is running under the local service using the instructions listed further:

  1. Press Windows key and ‘R’ key at the same time, and this will launch the ‘Run’ dialog box; type services.msc and press ‘enter’.
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press enter
  1. Double-click on the Security Center in the services window that pops up.
Double-click on Security Center
  1. In the window that pops up, switch to the ‘Log on’ tab; select the ‘This account’ option and click ‘Browse’ to proceed.
  2. In the box, type ‘Local Service’ and click ‘Ok’.
type 'Local Service’ and click ‘Ok’
  1. Enter the password, confirm the same, and click ‘Ok’ to proceed.
Enter the password, confirm the same and click ‘Ok’ to proceed
  1. Once you are done with this, repeat all the steps for Windows Management Instrumentation Service as well.
  2. Reboot your device and see if the issue with Windows Security Center Service got resolved.

Run System File Checker

You can try running the System File Checker if you are still dealing with the issue with the Windows Security Center service. This will let you know if the Windows system files have gone corrupted and will also make an effort to restore the corrupted files.

Here is how you can run System File Checker:

  1. In the search box of Windows 7, type ‘cmd’ and right-click on it; select ‘Run as administrator’ to proceed.
  2. Type in the following command: sfc/scannow and press ‘enter’.
Type sfc/scannow and press ‘enter’
  1. Once the process is over, exit the window, restart your computer, and see if the ‘Windows Security Center Service cannot be started’ issue gets resolved.

That was all about the top 5 solutions that you can try when Windows Security Center cannot be started.