If the Startup type or the Start or Stop button of a Service is grayed out in Windows 11/10, this article will help you fix the issue. When you open the services.msc tool in Windows and try to modify the Startup type, but you cannot select an option because it grayed out, then there is a problem that needs to be resolved. This article will focus on working solutions to fix the issue and be able to stop, disable, start, or modify any other settings under the Services Startup type option.
The Startup type option is under services.msc and is accessed under the Properties section of a specific service. Users can select four options which are Automatic (Delayed Start), Automatic, Manual, or Disabled. The default option varies for each Service and is decided by the operating system.
Why is the services Startup type grayed out in Windows?
If the service is system-protect, you may be unable to change its Startup type as it is grayed out. Another reason could be the user is lacking the necessary privileges to modify the startup type. Usually, changing service settings requires a user to have administrative privileges, as modifying them affects how the system works. Services dependency is another factor we cannot rule out. Some services depend on others to function properly. If you are trying to modify a service that requires another to work, or it is required by another, then it will grey out to maintain the computer’s stability.
Services Start, Stop or Startup type grayed out in Windows 11/10
If the Startup type or the Start or Stop button of a Service is grayed out in the Service Manager on Windows 11/10, use the following solutions to resolve the issue.
- Open Services console as an admin
- Stop the Service temporarily
- Modify Service Startup type settings using Registry Editor
- Start or Stop Services using command-line.
Let us now look at these solutions one by one.
1] Open the Services console as an admin
Perhaps the Startup type greys out because you opened the Service console without administrative privileges. Therefore, you must always open services as an admin if you want to modify anything on the console.
To do this, click on the Start button, and type services. Right-click on Services app on the search results and select Run as administrator.
Now see if you can change the Startup type or Stop/Start it.
Related: How to enable or disable Windows Installer Service
2] Stop the Service temporarily
If the service you want to change its Startup type is active and running in the system, you might be unable to select any option; it will grey out. The only option left is to stop the service and try to change the options in the Startup type – provided the Stop button is not grayed out, and you can do it.
To stop a Service, type service on the Windows search bar and select Run as administrator. Locate the service you want to stop and right-click it. Select Stop from the options and then Apply > OK.
Now see if you can make the changes.
3] Modify Service Startup type settings using Registry Editor
The last resort solution for a grayed Startup type is to modify the registry. However, we warn you that tweaking Windows Registry can lead to unexpected malfunctioning of your system. Create a system restore point before you start modifying the registry. After that, follow the steps below:
Press the Windows button + R, type regedit, and press Enter on the keyboard to open the Registry Editor.
Follow the path below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
Locate the service that greyed out and click on it. So, if the service is Bitdefender VPN Service, the path will look something like this:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BdVpnService
Go to the right side of the window and right-click on an empty space. Select New and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value from the list of options.
Next, name the DWORD value as DelayedAutostart.
Now set the following values for Start and DelayedAutostart to set the Startup type:
- Manual – Set Start to 3 and DelayedAutostart to 0
- Automatic – Set Start to 2 and DelayedAutostart to 0
- Automatic (Delayed Start) – Set Start to 2 and DelayedAutostart to 1
- Disabled – Set Start to 4 and DelayedAutostart to 0
Finally, click OK and reboot your computer to effect the changes.
Return to the Services console and check if the changes have been effected. The service should show the Startup type you set in the Registry Editor.
4] Start or Stop Services using command-line
If the Start or Stop buttons are grayed out in the Services Manager you can use the command line to Start or Stop a Service.
To Start a Service, type the command below you want into the PowerShell console and hit Enter:
Start-Service -Name "ServiceName"
To Stop a Service, type the command below you want into the PowerShell console and hit Enter:
Stop-Service -Name "ServiceName"
Note: Substitute the ServiceName and DisplayName placeholder in each of the commands with the actual service name and display name, respectively for the Service you want to Start, Stop, or Restart.
We hope one of the solutions works for you.
Read:
Why is Log-on on services grayed out?
The Log-on can grey on Services because you are accessing it without administrative privileges. Another reason could be that the service is active and running and hence cannot be modified. Stop the service and then try to modify it on the service.msc tool. You can also try this: Run CMD as admin, then type sc.exe config "ServiceName" obj= "DOMAIN\User" password= "password" and hit Enter and see if it helps.
