Is the Task Scheduler Not Working on Windows? Try These Fixes

Is the Task Scheduler Not Working on Windows? Try These Fixes

By Robert Rhodes 2 years ago

Get scheduling again with these fixes for the Task Scheduler on Windows.


Task Scheduler is a super handy Windows tool that enables users to set up programs and tasks to execute automatically. This makes it easier than ever before to get jobs done on time.


If you’re having trouble scheduling with this program, check out this guide on how to fix the Task Scheduler on Windows.


1. Restart Your Computer

The first thing you should do is restart your computer. This is a simple and effective way to resolve any minor issues with Task Scheduler as it can reset any glitches present in the system. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. Now click the Power button and select Restart.

After restarting the computer, open Task Scheduler to see if the problem has been resolved.

2. Run the System File Checker

If restarting the computer doesn’t solve the issue, you can try running the System File Checker tool to scan any corrupted system files on your computer.

To run an SFC scan, follow these steps:

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run Command.
  2. Type cmd in the text box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
  3. When UAC prompts on the screen, click Yes to grant privileges.
    Run SFC Command

  4. In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command: 
    sfc /scannow
  5. Press Enter to execute the command. This will scan your computer for corrupted system files and replace them with the correct ones if any are found.

Once the process is complete, restart the computer and open Task Scheduler to check if the issue has been resolved.

3. Run a DISM Scan to Restore Missing System Files

The DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool is another great tool for fixing Task Scheduler issues. This tool can help repair any corruption in the Windows image on your computer, allowing it to run smoothly again. To use this method, follow these steps:

  1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator (see how to run Command Prompt as an administrator for instructions).
    Run DISM Command

  2. Once you’re in the Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter: 
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This will scan your computer for any corrupted Windows images on your computer and try to fix them. The process may take a while to complete. Once it’s done, restart your computer and see if it works.

3. Restart the Task Scheduler Service

The next thing you can do is restart the Task Scheduler Service and make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic. It will reset the service and can potentially solve any underlying issues quickly. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Right-click on Start and select Run from the menu list.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type services.msc and hit Enter.
  3. Scroll down the list of services and locate Task Scheduler.
  4. Right-click on it and select Restart from the menu list.

Once restarted, try to run your scheduled tasks again and see if you can now schedule them properly.

4. Check for Windows Updates

In some cases, outdated versions of Windows may also cause problems and prevent you from scheduling tasks effectively. If you want to ensure your system is running the latest version of Windows, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start and select Settings from the pinned items. In case you don’t find it, use Win + I to open it directly.
  2. In the left pane, click Windows Update.
    Check for Updates

  3. Then click on Check for updates to see if there are any updates.

If updates are available, Windows will automatically download and install them. After installing the updates, restart your computer to see if that fixes the problem.

5. Perform a Clean Boot

If all else fails, you can try performing a clean boot on your computer. This is an effective way to identify and resolve any potential conflicts with Task Scheduler that may be causing issues.

Run Task Scheduler With No More Problems

If you’re having trouble with the Task Scheduler application, this article is for you. We’ll outline the necessary steps for resolving any glitches and errors, so you can continue using the program with ease.

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