WSUS Server Post Install Error

Question

During Post Install of Windows Update Services Server get the following message:

Fatal Error: Cannot start service W3SVC on computer

Then get the following four Errors in Windows Event System viewer:

The configuration manager for Windows Process Activation Service (WAS) did not initialize. The data field contains the error number Event ID: 5036

Windows Process Activation Service (WAS) is stopping because it encountered an error. The data field contains the error number Event ID: 5005

The Windows Process Activation Service terminated with the following error. Cannot create a file when that file already exists Event ID: 7023

The World Wide Web Publishing Service service depends on the Windows Process Activation Service service which failed to start because of the following error: Cannot create a file when that file already exists Event ID: 7001

My research hasn't been able to to come up with any viable solutions so I'm hoping you can assist me in resolving this issue. Already tried uninstalling and reinstalling the module with no luck. The IIS and IIS Manager work fine without a hitch.. Seems like there's some config file with bad settings and the system is unable to overwrite it.

Answer 1

Hi,

I'd be happy to help you out with your question. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

From the error messages you have provided, I believe that there is an issue with the Windows Process Activation Service (WAS) which is required for the World Wide Web Publishing Service (W3SVC) to function properly.

To resolve this issue, please try the following steps:

1. Stop the World Wide Web Publishing Service and Windows Process Activation Service.
2. Delete the following folder: %windir%\System32\inetsrv\config
3. Copy the backup folder located at %windir%\System32\inetsrv\backup\ to %windir%\System32\inetsrv\config
4. Start the Windows Process Activation Service and then the World Wide Web Publishing Service.
5. Check the event viewer to ensure that both services have started without any errors.

If the above steps do not work, you can also try the following:

1. Uninstall the Windows Process Activation Service feature from the server.
2. Reboot the server.
3. Reinstall the Windows Process Activation Service feature.
4. Reboot the server.
5. Check the event viewer to ensure that the Windows Process Activation Service has started without any errors.
6. Start the World Wide Web Publishing Service.

If the issue still persists, it may be necessary to troubleshoot further by checking other system components and configuration files.

If you have any other questions or need assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm here to help.

If the reply was helpful, please don’t forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you.

Answer 2

I have 2 thoughts - a complete removal of WSUS and reinstall - use my guide

https://www.ajtek.ca/wsus/how-to-remove-wsus-completely-and-reinstall-it/

The 2nd is something that I doubt it would be, but just in case because it has to do with the postinstall steps of WSUS

https://www.ajtek.ca/wsus/wsus-post-deployment-configuration-failed-windows-server-2022/