How to fix (FabricHostSvc)' cannot be started due to the following error: Cannot start service FabricHostSvc on computer '.'?

Question

How to fix (FabricHostSvc)' cannot be started due to the following error: Cannot start service FabricHostSvc on computer '.'?

Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER) 0 Microsoft External Staff

I am unable to install service fabric on my windows 11 enterprise machine.facing the following error while trying to run the service.

Start-Service : Service 'Service Fabric Host Service (FabricHostSvc)' cannot be started due to the following error: Cannot start service FabricHostSvc on computer '.'.

Vinodh247 34,826 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-20T15:48:00.4866667+00:00

Hi ,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

The error indicates that the Service Fabric Host Service (FabricHostSvc) cannot start, which is often caused by missing prerequisites, incorrect configurations, or permission issues. First, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements, including Windows 11 Enterprise, PowerShell 5.1+, and the .NET Core runtime. Next, check if the service is installed correctly by running Get-Service -Name FabricHostSvc in PowerShell (Admin). If the service exists but won’t start, try manually starting it using Start-Service -Name FabricHostSvc or through Services (services.msc). If it still fails, review the Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) under Windows Logs > System for specific errors. Additionally, ensure that Windows Defender or antivirus software isn’t blocking the service and that the necessary firewall rules are in place. If the issue persists, reinstall Service Fabric using the latest version from Microsoft’s official documentation.

Please feel free to click the 'Upvote' (Thumbs-up) button and 'Accept as Answer'. This helps the community by allowing others with similar queries to easily find the solution.
Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER) 0 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-03-20T16:52:55.26+00:00
I have windows 11 Enterprise and powershell 5.1. when i start the service with

Start-Service -Name FabricHostSvc

service status showing as Start..
Also i tried to clean up and reinstall runtime and sdk, no luck.
Vinodh247 34,826 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-22T05:18:46.1266667+00:00

Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER): Any update on this?
Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER) 0 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-03-24T04:53:37.19+00:00

Hi Vinod, I did clean uninstallation and fresh install, still it is sticking at the same stage. Couldn't find any errors in event log. Can you please let me know how can we validate security software blockage?
Vinodh247 34,826 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-24T17:07:49.9966667+00:00

Security software can often block certain processes or DLLs without explicitly displaying errors in the event viewer. To validate potential interference, temporarily disable or pause your antivirus and any real-time scanning features, then attempt to start the service fabric host Service. If disabling it resolves the issue, whitelist or add exclusions for the service fabric folders and binaries so your security software allows them to run unimpeded. In enterprise environments, you may need to coordinate with your IT or security teams to check centralized antivirus logs or firewall rules that could be stopping the service. You can also review windows defender’s threat or protection logs under the built in Security app, as these logs might show if a component of service fabric is being flagged or quarantined
Prrudram-MSFT 28,366 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-03-31T07:57:09.92+00:00

@Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER)If you are installing Service Fabric Local Cluster Manager on windows 11 it should work. Did you check if there is a any AV blocking the installation?

1 answer

Your answer

Vinodh247 34,826 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-20T15:48:00.4866667+00:00

Hi ,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

The error indicates that the Service Fabric Host Service (FabricHostSvc) cannot start, which is often caused by missing prerequisites, incorrect configurations, or permission issues. First, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements, including Windows 11 Enterprise, PowerShell 5.1+, and the .NET Core runtime. Next, check if the service is installed correctly by running Get-Service -Name FabricHostSvc in PowerShell (Admin). If the service exists but won’t start, try manually starting it using Start-Service -Name FabricHostSvc or through Services (services.msc). If it still fails, review the Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) under Windows Logs > System for specific errors. Additionally, ensure that Windows Defender or antivirus software isn’t blocking the service and that the necessary firewall rules are in place. If the issue persists, reinstall Service Fabric using the latest version from Microsoft’s official documentation.

Please feel free to click the 'Upvote' (Thumbs-up) button and 'Accept as Answer'. This helps the community by allowing others with similar queries to easily find the solution.
Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER) 0 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-03-20T16:52:55.26+00:00

I have windows 11 Enterprise and powershell 5.1. when i start the service with

Start-Service -Name FabricHostSvc

service status showing as Start..
Also i tried to clean up and reinstall runtime and sdk, no luck.
Vinodh247 34,826 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-22T05:18:46.1266667+00:00

Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER): Any update on this?
Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER) 0 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-03-24T04:53:37.19+00:00

Hi Vinod, I did clean uninstallation and fresh install, still it is sticking at the same stage. Couldn't find any errors in event log. Can you please let me know how can we validate security software blockage?
Vinodh247 34,826 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-24T17:07:49.9966667+00:00

Security software can often block certain processes or DLLs without explicitly displaying errors in the event viewer. To validate potential interference, temporarily disable or pause your antivirus and any real-time scanning features, then attempt to start the service fabric host Service. If disabling it resolves the issue, whitelist or add exclusions for the service fabric folders and binaries so your security software allows them to run unimpeded. In enterprise environments, you may need to coordinate with your IT or security teams to check centralized antivirus logs or firewall rules that could be stopping the service. You can also review windows defender’s threat or protection logs under the built in Security app, as these logs might show if a component of service fabric is being flagged or quarantined
Prrudram-MSFT 28,366 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-03-31T07:57:09.92+00:00

@Azeem Shaik (HCL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATE SER)If you are installing Service Fabric Local Cluster Manager on windows 11 it should work. Did you check if there is a any AV blocking the installation?

Answer 1

Since you're on Win11 Enterprise with PowerShell 5.1 and the Service Fabric Host Service (FabricHostSvc) remains stuck in the "Starting" state even after cleaning up and reinstalling the runtime and SDK, the issue likely lies deeper than just installation. This behavior often points to underlying problems such as corrupted Service Fabric binaries, missing dependencies, or permission issues. You should check the Event Viewer logs under both System and Microsoft-Service Fabric/Admin to identify any detailed error messages or stack traces related to the service startup. Also, confirm that the service is running under the Local System account and that its binary files exist and are not corrupted in the installation directory. If those checks don’t help, a full clean uninstall-including removing Service Fabric folders and possibly cleaning registry entries -followed by a fresh reinstall can sometimes resolve the issue. Additionally, ensure no security software or conflicting services are blocking or delaying the startup process.

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How to fix (FabricHostSvc)' cannot be started due to the following error: Cannot start service FabricHostSvc on computer '.'?

1 answer

Your answer