Windows Event Log service can't start. Error 31.

Question

I have a windows server 2022 virtual machine on a vmware hypervisor on which hundreds of other virtual machines are successfully running. When I try to start Windows Event Log service I get "Windows could not start the Windows Event Log service on Local Computer. Error 31: A device attached to the system is not functioning".

I have already done: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth (100% successfull, no damaged files found)

3.

Answer 1

Hi OZ,

Thanks for your post. Based on my experience, we have encountered similar problems that was fixed by locating the following registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Eventlog

After deleting the "Powershell" folder and "Internet Explorer" folder and the event log service then started.

Also, for general troubleshooting, you can try loading up process monitor while trying to start Event View and look for access denies or file not found errors

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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