How to Fix the “Service Registration Is Missing or Corrupt” Error in Windows

The “Service Registration Is Missing or Corrupt” error in Windows can occur when you try to run the Windows Store apps or perform certain system functions, and it usually indicates an issue with the Windows Update or the app's service registration. This problem can prevent you from accessing apps and performing system updates. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing this error.

1. Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

The built-in Windows Store Apps troubleshooter can automatically diagnose and fix issues related to app services and registration.

• Open Settings:
  • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
• Go to Update & Security:
  • Click on "Update & Security" and select "Troubleshoot" from the left-hand menu.
• Run the Troubleshooter:
  • Click on "Additional troubleshooters."
  • Select "Windows Store Apps" and click "Run the troubleshooter."
  • Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any fixes suggested by the troubleshooter.

2. Reset the Windows Store

Resetting the Windows Store can resolve issues related to corrupt or missing service registrations.

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
  • Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
• Run the Reset Command:
  • Type the following command and press Enter:

    wsreset.exe
    

  • This command will reset the Windows Store cache. Wait for the process to complete and then restart your computer.

3. Re-register the Windows Store

Re-registering the Windows Store can help fix issues with service registration.

• Open PowerShell as Administrator:
  • Press Windows + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
• Run the Re-register Command:
  • Copy and paste the following command into PowerShell and press Enter:

    Get-AppxPackage *WindowsStore* | Reset-AppxPackage
    

  • Wait for the command to complete, then restart your computer.

4. Check Windows Update Services

The error might be related to issues with the Windows Update services. Ensure that these services are running correctly.

• Open Services:
  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Locate Windows Update Services:
  • Find and check the following services: "Windows Update," "Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)," and "Cryptographic Services."
• Restart Services:
  • Right-click on each service and select "Restart." If any service is not running, right-click and select "Start."

5. Reset Windows Update Components

Resetting Windows Update components can help resolve issues with missing or corrupt service registrations.

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
  • Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
• Stop Windows Update Services:
  • Enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver
    

• Delete Update Files:
  • Type the following command and press Enter:

    del %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\*.* /s /q
    

• Restart Windows Update Services:
  • Enter the following commands to restart the services:

    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver
    

6. Use the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Tools

Corrupted system files can lead to errors with service registrations. Running SFC and DISM tools can help repair these files.

• Run SFC Scan:
  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:

    sfc /scannow
    

  • Wait for the scan to complete and follow any instructions provided.
• Run DISM Tool:
  • After SFC completes, run the following command:

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    

  • Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if background processes are causing the error.

• Open System Configuration:
  • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Configure Clean Boot:
  • In the "General" tab, select "Selective startup" and uncheck "Load startup items."
  • Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all."
  • Click "Apply" and "OK," then restart your computer.
• Test the Issue:
  • With a clean boot, check if the issue persists. If not, it indicates that a background process or service is causing the problem.

8. Update Windows

Ensure that your Windows system is up to date, as updates often include fixes for known issues.

• Open Settings:
  • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
• Go to Update & Security:
  • Click on "Update & Security" and select "Windows Update."
• Check for Updates:
  • Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates.
• Restart Your Computer:
  • After installing updates, restart your computer.

9. Reinstall Problematic Apps

If the error is specific to a particular app, reinstalling the app might resolve the issue.

• Uninstall the App:
  • Go to "Settings" > "Apps" and find the problematic app in the list.
  • Select the app and click "Uninstall."
• Reinstall the App:
  • Visit the Microsoft Store or the app’s official website to download and reinstall the app.

10. Perform a System Restore

If the error started recently and none of the other solutions work, performing a System Restore can revert your system to a previous state before the issue occurred.

• Open System Restore:
  • Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter.
• Choose a Restore Point:
  • Follow the prompts to select a restore point from before the error began and restore your system.

Conclusion

The “Service Registration Is Missing or Corrupt” error can be resolved using a combination of built-in troubleshooters, service resets, and system repairs. By following the steps outlined above, you can address issues with service registrations and restore the functionality of your Windows apps and system updates. If the problem persists despite these efforts, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support or a professional technician. Regular maintenance and keeping your system updated can help prevent such issues in the future.