Windows Firewall Service is Missing on Windows 7 (Solved)

A few days ago I went to one of my customers to add a new printer (HP Laserjet 1102w) on his network. After successfully installing the printer to the first computer locally (by using a USB cable), I tried to share the printer to the rest network users, but unfortunately I faced the following error when pressing OK to apply the Sharing settings: "Printer settings could not be saved. Operation could not be completed error 0x000006d9".

After doing some searching on the Web, I realized that the error "0x000006d9", when trying to share a printer, is caused because the Windows Firewall service was disabled on the system. So I went to Windows services, in order to enable the Windows Firewall service. But, I discovered that Windows Firewall service doesn't exist and was missing from the list of services.

In this tutorial you can find detailed instructions on how to fix the following problems:

• Windows Firewall Service is Missing / Not listed in services.
• Windows Firewall Service couldn't Start / Can't start Windows Firewall.
• Windows Firewall can't change some of your settings. Error code 0x80070424
• Windows Firewall service (0x5) fails to start

How to solve Windows 7 Firewall Service is Missing (Not listed) or Could not start problem(s).

Step 1. Scan your computer for viruses and malware.

Important: Before following the steps below, make sure that your computer is 100% clean from harmful programs like rootkits, malware or viruses. To accomplish this task, follow the steps from this Quick Malware Scan and Removal Guide, and then try to check for updates again. If the problem persists, then continue to the next step.

Step 2. Diagnose and fix Windows Firewall service problems automatically.

1. Download and run Microsoft's Firewall Troubleshooter tool* to automatically repair common Windows Firewall problems, such as Windows Firewall service (0x5) fails to start, BFE service is missing, or Windows remote assistance is not working.

* Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17613/automatically-diagnose-and-fix-problems-with-windows-firewall

2. Follow the on-screen instructions and let the Firewall troubleshooter repair the problems automatically,

3. If the troubleshooter cannot repair the problems automatically, follow the instructions (in step-3 below) to manually resolve the problems with the Windows Firewall service.

Step 3. Identify the problem with the Windows Firewall service.

If the Windows Firewall service is still missing in services or won't start, then it's time to find out what causes the problem with the Windows Firewall service. For this task I use the Farbar Service Scanner (or FSS), which is a small portable tool that allows you to diagnose network connectivity issues due to corrupted or missing Windows services.

1. Download and run Farbar Service Scanner (FSS.exe) tool from BleepingComputer.com.

2. Select the Windows Firewall checkbox and press Scan.

3. When the Fabar Service Scanner tool checking is completed, examine the generated FSS.txt log file to identify the problem with the Windows Firewall Service.

Example No1: If the Windows Firewall key (MpsSvc)* is missing inside registry, you should see the following lines at the FSS.txt generated file (at Windows Firewall section):

"MpsSvc Service is not running. Checking service configuration:
Checking Start type: ATTENTION!=====> Unable to open MpsSvc registry key. The service key does not exist.
Checking ImagePath: ATTENTION!=====> Unable to open MpsSvc registry key. The service key does not exist.
Checking ServiceDll: ATTENTION!=====> Unable to open MpsSvc registry key. The service key does not exist."

Solution: In this case, proceed to Step-4 to add the missing Windows Firewall Service key (MpsSvc) * in registry.

* Windows Firewall Service Registry key (Full Path): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MpsSvc

Example No2: If the Windows Firewall Service is Disabled on the system, then you should see the following lines at the FSS.txt generated file (at Windows Firewall section):

"MpsSvc Service is not running. Checking service configuration:
The start type of MpsSvc service is set to Disabled. The default start type is Auto.
The ImagePath of MpsSvc service is OK.
The ServiceDll of MpsSvc service is OK."

Solution: In this case, navigate to Windows Services and set the Startup Type of Windows Firewall service to Auto.

Step 4. Add the Missing Windows Firewall Service key in Windows Registry.

If the Windows Firewall service is missing, then the following registry key is also missing from Windows Registry:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MpsSvc

In order to re-add the Windows Firewall service key (MpsSvc) inside Windows registry:

Method 1. Add the Missing Windows Firewall Service key from another working computer.

On another Working computer with the same OS:

1. Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following path:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\

2. Right click at MpsSvc key and select Export.

3. Save the exported key with a recognizable name (e.g. "MspSvc.reg").

4. Then transfer (by using a USB drive) the exported .reg file file (e.g. "MspSvc.reg") to the problematic computer (where the Windows Firewall service is missing).

5. Double click at the .reg file to merge its information into the registry.

6. Restart your computer and you 're done!

Method 2. Add the Missing Windows Firewall Service key from a .reg file.

If you don't have another working computer to export the Windows Firewall Service key and you have Windows 7 OS, then:

1. Download the FirewallRegistryFix reg file on your computer.*

* The file was exported from a working Windows 7 computer.

2. Double click at the FirewallRegistryFix.reg file to add its information to Windows Registry.

That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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