How to Fix Windows could not start the BITS service (Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service)
Quick Answer
The error "Windows could not start the BITS service" with "Error 5: Access is denied" indicates that the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) lacks the necessary permissions to start. The fastest fix involves verifying and correcting the service's logon account settings and ensuring proper file system permissions for BITS-related directories.
What Causes This Error
- Incorrect service logon account configuration for BITS.
- Corrupted or missing BITS service files or registry entries.
- Insufficient file system permissions for the BITS service to access its working directories.
- Interference from third-party security software or malware.
- Windows system file corruption affecting service management.
- Dependency services required by BITS are not running or are misconfigured.
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Verify BITS Service Logon Account
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services management console.
- Locate and double-click the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" (BITS).
- Navigate to the "Log On" tab.
- Ensure "Local System account" is selected and "Allow service to interact with desktop" is unchecked. If it is already set to "Local System account", try switching to "This account", entering "NT Authority\LocalService" (without quotes) in the 'Account' field, leaving password fields blank, applying, then switching back to "Local System account" and applying again.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK". Attempt to start the BITS service by right-clicking it and selecting "Start".
2Check and Repair BITS File Permissions
- Open File Explorer and navigate to "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Network\Downloader".
- Right-click the "Downloader" folder and select "Properties".
- Go to the "Security" tab and click "Edit" to change permissions.
- Ensure that "SYSTEM" and "Administrators" have "Full control", and "NETWORK SERVICE" has "Read & execute", "List folder contents", and "Read" permissions. If any are missing, click "Add", type the user/group name, click "Check Names", then "OK", and grant the necessary permissions.
- Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save changes. Restart the computer and attempt to start the BITS service.
3Run System File Checker and DISM
- Press the Windows key, type "cmd", right-click "Command Prompt" in the search results, and select "Run as administrator".
- In the Command Prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter. Allow the scan to complete.
- After SFC finishes, type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" and press Enter. Allow this process to complete.
- Restart your computer after both scans have finished. Attempt to start the BITS service.
4Reset BITS Service Configuration
- Press the Windows key, type "cmd", right-click "Command Prompt" in the search results, and select "Run as administrator".
- Stop the BITS service by typing "net stop bits" and pressing Enter.
- Delete the BITS configuration by typing "sc delete bits" and pressing Enter.
- Re-create the BITS service by typing "sc create bits binPath= "C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs" DisplayName= "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" start= auto" and pressing Enter. (Note: Ensure there is a space after 'binPath=', 'DisplayName=', and 'start=')
- Configure the service dependencies by typing "sc config bits depend= RpcSs" and pressing Enter.
- Restart your computer. Attempt to start the BITS service via the Services console.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BITS service?
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a Windows service that facilitates asynchronous, prioritized, and throttled transfer of files between machines using idle network bandwidth. It is commonly used by Windows Update, Windows Defender, and other applications for downloading updates and data.
Why does BITS show 'Error 5: Access is denied'?
This specific error indicates that the BITS service does not have the necessary permissions to access a file, folder, or registry key required for its operation. This can be due to incorrect logon account settings, corrupted security descriptors, or interference from other software.
Will fixing BITS affect my system's stability?
No, fixing the BITS service is generally safe and can improve system stability by ensuring that Windows Update and other critical system components can function correctly. The provided fixes aim to restore the service to its default, functional state.
Can malware cause BITS service issues?
Yes, certain types of malware can interfere with system services, including BITS, by modifying service configurations, corrupting system files, or altering permissions to prevent legitimate operations. Running a full system scan with reputable antivirus software is recommended if other fixes fail.
What if BITS still won't start after trying these fixes?
If the BITS service continues to fail after attempting all listed fixes, consider performing a Windows repair installation or consulting Microsoft Support. There might be deeper system corruption or hardware-related issues preventing the service from operating correctly.