Microsoft iSCSI Service Is Not Running: Fix It in Windows 11/10
If you are trying to connect to an iSCSI storage device on your Windows computer and receive the message “Microsoft iSCSI service is not running,” it usually means that the required Windows service is stopped, disabled, or unable to start correctly. Without this service, Windows cannot establish or maintain a connection with an iSCSI target, which may prevent you from accessing network storage or virtual disks.
This guide explains what the Microsoft iSCSI service is, why it may stop working, and the methods you can use to get it running again.
Microsoft iSCSI Service
The Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service is a Windows service that allows your computer to connect to iSCSI storage devices over a network. Instead of connecting to a physical hard drive directly, iSCSI lets you access storage through an Ethernet network as though it were attached to your computer.
This service is commonly used in business environments, virtual machine setups, backup servers, and enterprise storage solutions. However, some advanced home users may also use it for network-attached storage configurations.
When the service is running properly, Windows can discover, connect to, and communicate with iSCSI targets. If the service is stopped or disabled, these connections cannot be established.
Microsoft iSCSI Service Is Not Running [Fixes]
The error “Microsoft iSCSI service is not running” appears when Windows detects that the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service is unavailable. This can happen for several reasons, including an accidental service configuration change, corrupted Windows files, disabled dependencies, or recent system updates.
Fortunately, you can usually fix the issue by checking the service status, changing its startup type, restarting dependent services, repairing Windows files, or resetting the iSCSI configuration.
Step 1: Start the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
The first thing you should do is verify that the required Windows service is actually running. Sometimes the service has simply been stopped after a restart or configuration change.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter. This opens the Services window, where all Windows services are listed.
Scroll through the list until you find Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service. Double-click the service to open its properties.
If the Service status shows Stopped, click the Start button. Wait a few moments while Windows starts the service.
Next, locate the Startup type option. If it is set to Disabled, change it to Automatic or Automatic (Delayed Start). This allows Windows to start the service automatically during system startup.
Click Apply, then OK.
Restart your computer and check whether the error has disappeared.
Step 2: Verify That Required Windows Services Are Running
The Microsoft iSCSI service depends on other Windows services to function correctly. If one of these supporting services is stopped, the iSCSI service may fail to start.
Open the Services window again by typing services.msc into the Run dialog.
Locate the following services and verify that they are running if they are available on your version of Windows.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
DCOM Server Process Launcher
RPC Endpoint Mapper
Double-click each service and make sure the Startup type is set appropriately and the service status shows Running.
These services are essential for many Windows components. If one of them is not functioning correctly, several Windows features, including the iSCSI service, may stop working.
After confirming these services are running, restart the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service again.
Step 3: Start the Service Using Windows Terminal
If the service refuses to start from the Services window, you can try starting it through Windows Terminal with administrator privileges.
Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) depending on your Windows version.
Type the following command and press Enter:
net start msiscsi
If the service starts successfully, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service has started.
If an error message appears, make a note of the exact wording. The message often provides clues about whether the issue involves permissions, missing dependencies, or damaged system files.
Restart your computer after running the command and test the iSCSI connection again.
Step 4: Repair Corrupted Windows System Files
Damaged or missing Windows system files can prevent important services from starting correctly. Windows includes tools that automatically scan and repair these files.
Open Windows Terminal as an administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
The System File Checker will begin scanning your computer. This process may take several minutes, so avoid closing the window before it finishes.
If Windows reports that it repaired corrupted files, restart your computer.
If the problem still exists, run the following command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool checks the Windows image for corruption and downloads replacement files if necessary.
After the scan completes, restart your computer once more and check whether the Microsoft iSCSI service starts normally.
Step 5: Reset the iSCSI Configuration
Sometimes the iSCSI configuration becomes corrupted after storage changes or failed connections. Resetting the configuration can resolve startup issues.
Open Windows Terminal with administrator privileges.
Stop the iSCSI service by entering:
net stop msiscsi
Then start it again:
net start msiscsi
After restarting the service, open iSCSI Initiator by searching for it in the Start menu.
If prompted to start the service, click Yes.
Review your configured targets and reconnect them if necessary. If you recently changed storage devices or network settings, remove outdated entries before adding the correct iSCSI target again.
Restart your computer and verify that the connection is now working properly.
Step 6: Install the Latest Windows Updates
Windows updates often include reliability improvements and fixes for system services.
Open Settings and select Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
Some updates require multiple restarts before all system components are fully updated.
After the installation is complete, restart your computer and verify whether the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service starts automatically without displaying any errors.
Keeping Windows updated helps prevent service-related problems and ensures compatibility with the latest storage hardware and drivers.
FAQs
Why is the Microsoft iSCSI service not running?
The service may be disabled, stopped, affected by corrupted system files, or unable to start because one of its required Windows services is not running.
Can I safely enable the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service?
Yes. If you use iSCSI storage, enabling the service is both safe and necessary. If you do not use iSCSI, leaving it disabled generally will not affect normal Windows operation.
What is the command to start the Microsoft iSCSI service?
Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run:
net start msiscsi
This command attempts to start the service immediately.
Will restarting the computer fix the problem?
Sometimes. If the service is configured to start automatically and there are no underlying issues, a restart may resolve the problem. Otherwise, additional troubleshooting is usually required.
Can corrupted Windows files stop the iSCSI service?
Yes. Corrupted system files can prevent Windows services from starting correctly. Running SFC and DISM can often repair these files and restore normal functionality.
Summary
The Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service is essential for connecting Windows to iSCSI network storage. When it is not running, your computer cannot establish communication with iSCSI targets, resulting in connection failures and storage access problems.
In most cases, the issue can be resolved by starting the service, setting it to Automatic, checking required Windows services, using the net start msiscsi command, repairing corrupted system files with SFC and DISM, resetting the iSCSI configuration, and installing the latest Windows updates.
Following these steps carefully should restore the service and allow your Windows computer to reconnect to your iSCSI storage successfully.