This error predominantly occurs for those who utilize selective startup to speed-up Windows boot-up process. While this mode is effective at preventing third-party services and drivers from loading during startup, it may inadvertently obstruct the essential network services required for establishing an internet connection, ultimately leading to this error. Since the error is displayed within the Network and Sharing Center, many attempt to resolve it by initiating the network troubleshooting utility. This approach occasionally fixes the error. Therefore, if you haven’t tried the troubleshooting utility yet, it’s worth using it before diving into more technical solutions. Moreover, issues with the stored DNS cache have been known to trigger this error. Bearing these potential causes in mind, let us proceed to explore the solutions for this troublesome error.
1. Load All Services and Drivers at Startup
As we previously mentioned, your PC may be failing to run some essential network services that are vital to internet connectivity, which might explain why you’re encountering this error. To verify whether this is the case, adjust the system configurations to enable a normal startup, which ensures all device drivers and services configured to run at startup are loaded, be they third-party or Windows-specific services.
2. Add Network Service/Local Service to the Administrator’s Local Group
In Windows, the Network and Local Service accounts are used by the service control manager to present credentials across the network. Assigning administrator privileges to these accounts often resolves the “The Dependency Service or Group Failed to Start” error. To do this, you must add both the Network and Local Service accounts to the administrator’s local group.
3. Flush Your DNS
Your DNS cache may possess outdated or incorrect information leading to this error. To correct this, you can flush the DNS, which prompts the system to refresh its DNS information.
4. Restart Essential Network Services
Your Windows system may not be running the crucial network services required for internet access. By setting up essential network services to start automatically with PC boot-up, you can ensure no necessary service is being overlooked.
5. Reinstall the Network Adapter
Your network adapter facilitates internet connectivity. If the above methods have not resolved the issue, the problem might lie within the network adapter itself. Reinstalling the network adapter could determine whether it is the source of the problem.
6. Reset the Network Settings
If none of the previously mentioned methods resolve the issue, consider resetting the network settings. This can fix errors caused by any misconfigured settings causing the problem.
7. Restore Your Windows to a Previous Point
This solution is intended for individuals who have created a system restore point. For those unacquainted with the system restore utility, it’s important to note that the Windows update utility routinely creates a restore point in case of complications arising during updates. System restore allows users to roll back their system to a previous state if a restore point was created. A restore point contains a snapshot of system files, drivers, and registry settings. This can be invaluable if the need arises to revert to a past system state due to issues.
