I can't turn on my location service because it's greyed out.

Question

I can't turn on my location service because it's greyed out.

Richard Hibbert 20

I recently upgraded my Windows 11 to the most recent version. When I restarted my laptop, everything was working except that I kept getting the message that location services had been turned off. When I went to the settings, the option to turn location services on was gray and I was not able to turn it on. The message I got was that this feature can only be turned on by an Administrator. I am the one and only Administrator for this computer, and I can't find a way to get the system to recognize that for this feature.

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3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Harold E1 25

I Followed all the steps..

I got the following error messages:

C:\Windows\System32>reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost" /f ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

C:\Windows\System32>reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f ERROR: Delete request is partially completed.

C:\Windows\System32>reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate" /f ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

C:\Windows\System32>reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies" /f ERROR: Delete request is partially completed.

C:\Windows\System32>reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate" /f ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

And location services is still grayed out

alpo52 0 Reputation points

2026-06-25T19:05:38.1833333+00:00

Thank You Harold E1!
This problem has been bugging me for quite a while.
Your steps worked like a Charm!!
My Location Services are working again! :-D

Answer 2

John DeV 170.5K Independent Advisor

Make sure you are not signed in to any school or work account on your computer then try the method below.

Press Windows Key+R to open run then type: cmd

Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run it as administrator

Copy and paste each command one at a time then press Enter.

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost" /f

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies" /f

reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate" /f

Please proceed to the next commands in case you receive any errors.

When all commands have been entered. Restart your computer then check if the issue persists.

Richard Hibbert 20 Reputation points

2025-08-08T22:33:39.0433333+00:00

When I pasted the first command, I got an "error: access denied" response. Do I continue despite that?
John DeV 170.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-08-08T22:50:23.4733333+00:00

It looks like you didn't run Command Prompt as administrator.

Press Start then search Command Prompt

Right click it then select Run as administrator

Execute the commands again.
bcavallero 0 Reputation points

2025-08-09T10:35:30.93+00:00

I'm having the same problem. I'm unable to turn Location Services on. When I put in the first command, I got a response stating, "The operation completed successfully."

But when I put in the next command, I got a response stating, "The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value."

What do I do now?
Richard Hibbert 20 Reputation points

2025-08-09T14:32:15.8433333+00:00

That was my experience as well. The first command said the operation completed successfully. The second came up with "The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value." Do I continue or is there a different step to take?
bcavallero 0 Reputation points

2025-09-05T02:11:24.3333333+00:00

Hi Richard,

Have you had any luck with turning on your Location Services? I'm still having problems and cannot turn my Location Services on. I've tried several suggestions, but nothing seems to help. It's frustrating because I can't connect my new printer to my laptop without the location services being turned on.
Richard Hibbert 20 Reputation points

2025-09-05T02:37:59+00:00

Unfortunately, I have so far been unsuccessful in trying to turn the location services on. I've tried all of the suggestions that have been shared, but I have come to believe that it's a Microsoft issue. There is no Microsoft technician available to consumers.

Answer 3

John DeV 170.5K Independent Advisor

Hi, good day!

Can you try creating a new local administrator account then check if the issue persists?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-user-accounts-in-windows-104dc19f-6430-4b49-6a2b-e4dbd1dcdf32

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed.

Richard Hibbert 20 Reputation points

2025-08-08T17:53:10.7466667+00:00

Thank you for this suggestion. I tried doing that, but even with a different administrator, I can't turn location services on. It says that some settings are controlled by my "organization." I am not a part of any organization. This is my personal conmputer and I am the only user and administrator.
DarrenSkene-9497 0 Reputation points

2025-09-02T02:37:23.1333333+00:00

I have the same issue and cannot install the printer as need to show location
HipHooray 0 Reputation points

2026-08-23T22:00:10.35+00:00

I have exactly the same issue as a number of contributors here. The printer cannot be connected because location services cannot be turned on, and without it - the printer can apparently not be added to my network. The settings tells me to ask my organisation to grant permission for me to access the location services toggle (greyed out) button. Like others here, I am the only user of the laptop and the only administrator there's ever been. Whilst it's clearly not an isolated Microsoft glitch, I wonder why Canon Printers needs my location services to be enabled in order for me to print documents on the printer I purchased from them. When I bought the printer - I thought I was buying a machine that carried out a practical office function I required it for. In the store - I didn't realise that part of the sales transaction involved me handing over my personal data / usage data / and wi-fi connectivity to Canon. Surely this isn't progress.