Windows Firewall with advanced security error

Question

When I updated the computer to the most recent update I get this error in the event viewer for Windows Firewall With Advanced Security. I don't know if it has to do with the most recent update for KB5132061. The error code number is 2042 and this is what it say's:

Config Read Failed

Config: 18

Error: Access is denied

Answer 1

Hi,

A few reports are there since the October optional update, which eventually became the November update.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/s/95GqCJwKKF

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/answers/questions/6054493/windows-11-new-update-build-26300-9818-has-a-bug

Report it in Feedback Hub please for Engineering investigation:

1. Press Win + F to open Feedback Hub.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
3. Select Report a problem.
4. Enter the feedback title and description provided below.
5. Select the appropriate category: Security and Privacy → Windows Firewall (or the closest available category).
6. Attach a screenshot of the Event Viewer error.
7. Select Submit.'

Feedback: Windows Firewall – Event Viewer Error 2042 After Latest Windows Update

After installing the latest Windows update (KB5132061), I started receiving an error in Event Viewer under Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

The error details are:

• Error Code: 2042
• Message: Config Read Failed
• Config: 18

I hope this information helps. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you good luck!

Answer 2

If Windows Security shows the firewall enabled, Event ID 2042 with “Config Read Failed,” “Config: 18,” and “Access is denied” after the November update can be safely ignored while Windows Update remains enabled.

A matching Windows 11 report identifies this exact event signature after the November 2026 cumulative update as a startup logging issue rather than a firewall failure. No firewall reset or system repair is required when protection remains active.^1^

Verify that the firewall is operating

1. Open Start, type Windows Security, and open it.
2. Select Firewall & network protection.
3. Confirm that the active network profile reports Microsoft Defender Firewall is on. Ideally, Domain, Private, and Public profiles should all show On when selected.
4. Optionally, press Windows+R, enter wf.msc, and confirm that Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security opens normally.

These are supported interfaces for checking firewall status and configuration.^2^

If those checks succeed and networking works normally:

• Leave KB5132061 installed.
• Continue installing subsequent cumulative updates.
• Do not run netsh advfirewall reset; resetting rules does not address this logging-only event.
• Do not uninstall a security update merely to remove the Event Viewer entry.

Microsoft previously documented another Event 2042 update-related variant—using “More data is available” rather than “Access is denied”—as harmless when the firewall continued functioning normally.^3^

If the firewall is actually off or cannot open

Treat it as a real firewall problem only if Windows Security reports protection off, wf.msc fails, rules are not applied, or network traffic is unexpectedly blocked.

1. Press Windows+R, enter services.msc, and check that these services are running:
   • Base Filtering Engine
   • Windows Defender Firewall
   • Network Location Awareness
   • Network List Service
   • Group Policy Client
2. Record any service error or snap-in error code.
3. Use Microsoft’s Windows Firewall troubleshooting guidance rather than resetting the firewall configuration blindly.^4^

The separate Microsoft Defender Antivirus Event ID 2042 has a different provider and meaning; it should not be confused with this Microsoft-Windows-Windows Firewall With Advanced Security event.

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References

1. Windows Error ID 2042 - Microsoft Q&A
2. Windows Firewall tools
3. June 26, 2025—KB5060829 (OS Build 26100.4484) Preview | Microsoft Support
4. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security troubleshooting guidance