Windows

GPSVC: What is it and how do I fix it?

Does GPSVC ring a bell? Maybe yes, maybe no. But what's certain is that this Windows service plays a crucial role in the functioning of your computer. And if it ever starts acting up, you risk encountering connection problems, update issues, errors, or application problems.

So, what exactly is GPSVC? And how do you fix it if it's causing you problems? That's what we'll reveal in this article. We'll unveil everything you need to know about GPSVC, a mysterious but essential Windows service. We'll also show you the best solutions for resolving GPSVC-related errors.

Are you ready to discover the secrets of GPSVC and repair it like a pro? Then follow the guide!

What is GPSVC?

GPSVC stands for Group Policy Client , a Windows service that manages group policy settings . Group policies are rules that apply to users and computers on a domain or local network, and that allow you to control access rights, preferences, security, etc.

The GPSVC service is essential for the proper functioning of Windows , as it ensures communication between the system and Group Policy. If this service is stopped or corrupted, it can cause problems such as:

The inability to connect to a domain or local network
The lack of updates to group policy settings
The appearance of error messages related to gpsvc.dll
The malfunction of certain applications or programs

For example, if you try to run a command that requires administrative privileges, you might encounter system error 5, which indicates that you do not have sufficient rights to perform the operation. This error can be caused by a problem with the GPSVC service or system security settings.

Fortunately, there are solutions to fix the GPSVC service if it is causing a problem.

How do I repair the GPSVC service?

Depending on the cause of the problem, you can try the following solutions:

1. Restart the GPSVC service

The first thing to do is check if the GPSVC service is running and restart it if necessary. To do this, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
Type services.msc and click OK
In the services window, locate Group Policy Client and double-click on it
In the General tab, verify that the startup type is set to Automatic
If the service is stopped, click Start
If the service is running, click Stop and then Start
Click Apply and then OK
Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved

2. Repair the gpsvc.dll files

The gpsvc.dll file is a dynamic library that contains the functions for the GPSVC service. If this file is missing or corrupted, it can cause GPSVC-related errors. To repair gpsvc.dll files, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool or the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. Here's how:

With the SFC tool

Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (admin) or PowerShell (admin)
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
Please wait for the analysis and repair to complete (this may take several minutes)
Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved

With the DISM tool

Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (admin) or PowerShell (admin)
Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter
Please wait for the analysis and repair to complete (this may take several minutes)
Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved

3. Repair applications and programs

If the problem is caused by an application or program that is not working correctly with the GPSVC service, you can try to fix it from Windows settings or the Control Panel. Here's how:

With Windows settings

Select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features
Select the Plus icon next to the application you want to fix
Select the Advanced options link under the application name (some applications do not have this option)
On the page that opens, select Repair if this option is available. If it is not available, or if this does not resolve the issue, select Reset

With the control panel

In the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel, and then select Control Panel from the list of results
Select Programs > Programs and Features
Right-click on the program you want to fix and select Repair or, if this option is not visible, Modify
Then follow the instructions that appear on the screen

4. Disable your proxy server

Another reason why GPSVC might not be working is a conflicting proxy web server. If this is the case, disabling this setting will likely allow the GPSVC service to run. To do this, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + I to open Windows settings
Select Network and Internet
Select Proxy from the left-hand menu
Disable the "Use a proxy server" option under Manual proxy configuration
Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved

If the problem persists, the server's IP address may not have been found . In this case, you may need to contact your internet service provider or check your router settings.

Summary table of solutions

Solution	Description
Restart the GPSVC service	Check and restart the Group Policy Client service
Repair the gpsvc.dll files	Use the SFC or DISM tool to repair corrupted system files
Repair applications and programs	Use Windows settings or the Control Panel to repair applications that interfere with GPSVC
Disable your proxy server	Disable the proxy web server that prevents GPSVC from communicating with group policies

FAQ

How do I delete a locked gpsvc.dll file?

To remove a locked gpsvc.dll file, you can use the Force Deleter tool from Asmwsoft PC Optimizer. Here's how:

Launch the Asmwsoft PC Optimizer application
On the main window, select the Force Deleter tool
Next, from Force Deleter, click Choose File and locate the gpsvc.dll file, then click Open
Click Delete Now to remove the locked file

How do I reset group policies?

To reset Group Policies, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) or the Command Prompt. Here's how:

With the local group policy editor

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
Type gpedit.msc and click OK
In the window that opens, expand Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Group Policy
Double-click on Restore Local Policy Defaults
Select Enabled and then click OK
Restart your computer to apply the changes

Using the command prompt

Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (admin) or PowerShell (admin)
Type gpupdate /force and press Enter
Wait until the message “Group policy update complete” appears
Restart your computer to apply the changes

How do I activate or deactivate the GPSVC service?

To enable or disable the GPSVC service, you can use the Services Manager or the Registry Editor. Here's how:

With the service manager

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
Type services.msc and click OK
In the services window, locate Group Policy Client and double-click on it
In the General tab, change the startup type according to your preference: Automatic, Manual, or Disabled
Click Apply and then OK

With the registry editor

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
Type regedit and click OK
In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\gpsvc
Double-click the Start value in the right pane
Change the value data according to your choice: 2 for Automatic, 3 for Manual, or 4 for Disabled
Click OK and close the registry editor

Why am I getting the message “Connection failed by the gpsvc service”?

This message may appear if the GPSVC service is stopped or corrupted, or if the gpsvc.dll file is missing or corrupted. To resolve this issue, you can try restarting the GPSVC service, repairing the gpsvc.dll files, repairing applications and programs, or disabling your proxy server.

How do I remove the GPSVC service?

It is not recommended to remove the GPSVC service, as it is essential for Windowsto function correctly. If you still wish to remove it, you can use the Registry Editor and delete the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\gpsvc. However, be aware that this operation may cause stability and security problems.

How do I enable or disable the automatic startup of the GPSVC service?

To enable or disable the automatic startup of the GPSVC service, you can use the Services Manager or the Registry Editor. With the Services Manager, you must change the GPSVC service startup type to Automatic, Manual, or Disabled. With the Registry Editor, you must change the Start value in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\gpsvc key to 2 for Automatic, 3 for Manual, or 4 for Disabled.