Fix Background Intelligent Transfer Service Will Not Start Error

A crucial Windows task that can affect updates

The Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is anessential componentthat helps programs download data and files from the internet.

Nowadays, programs need thelatest updates, new content, or configurations, and BITS intelligently handles network interruptions even after a reboot by pausing and resuming transfers.

The ‘intelligent’ in BITS also increases or decreases the file transfer rate based on the idlenetwork bandwidthavailable. Its app-specified transfer policies ensure that if a network app is consuming more bandwidth, its transfer rate is reduced to prevent the files from transferring on expensive networks.

It also offers an easy way of downloading files to install updates on Windows 10. This way, even after you exit from an application, BITS will still transfer files provided you’re still logged on, and the network connection is maintained. If you log off and log back in, BITS will resume the transfers once the connection is reestablished.

But that’s not all. From the May 2019 Update, BITS will now mind power usage and transfer files when the machine is plugged in, and when it’s inModern Standby mode.

In short, it ensures uploads and downloads between your device and the remote server continue without any impact on the network experience. It’s particularly useful for applications that need to upload files to or download from HTTP or REST web server or SMB file servers, mind network costs, resume file transfers automatically after restarts or disconnections, or preserve responsiveness of other network apps.

As much as BITS may be an intelligent service, sometimes it may not start or may suddenly stop working altogether. The result of this is that other services like Microsoft Store or Windows Update won’t work properly.

We’re going to show you different ways you can troubleshoot and fix BITS when it won’t start.

Fix Background Intelligent Transfer Service Is Not Working

Note:The instructions in this guide are focused on the Windows 10 operating system.

Normally, BITS starts automatically with your computer at startup, but if it doesn’t, you can manually check and restart the service.

  1. Right-clickStart>Run.

  2. Typeservices.mscin the Run box, and then pressEnterto openWindows Services.

  3. FindBackground Intelligent Transfer Servicefrom the list of services on the right.

  4. If BITS is running, right-click and selectRestartto restart the service and fix it wherever it may have got stuck for one reason or another.

  5. If BITS doesn’t start, double-click on the entry inWindows Services, and change the startup type in the new popup toAutomatic.

  6. Next toService Status, click theStartbutton and see if BITS works normally again.

Viruses and malware often target BITS to prevent it from starting normally. If it won’t start, run a malware or virus scan to ensure nothing is hindering BITS from providing the right communication between your device and other BITS-based networks.

If you have good antivirus security software installed, you can use it, otherwise try some of the best antimalware software like Malwarebytes to run the scan, and then restart your computer to see if the BITS issue is gone.

The BITS troubleshooter can fix most common problems with the service in Windows 10.

  1. To do this, open Control Panel and click on theView by menuat the upper right side. ClickLarge Icons.

  2. ClickTroubleshootingin the list of options.

  3. ClickHardware and Sound.

  4. Next, clickBackground Intelligent Transfer Service troubleshooterunder theWindowssection.

  5. ClickAdvanced.

  6. SelectApply Repairs Automatically > Next.

  7. The BITS troubleshooter will begin scanning, detecting and fixing any issues that may prevent it from starting or working properly.

If BITS still won’t start, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM command line tool to resolve the issue.

  1. On the search bar, typeCMDto open the Command Prompt menu, and clickRun as administrator.

  2. In the Command Prompt window, type this command and pressEnter:dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This will scan and repair any system file corruption.

  3. Next, type this command and press Enter:sfc / scannow.

You could also try the check disk command to see if it helps. In the same Command Prompt window, typechkdsk /r /fand pressEnter.

  1. Restart your device, and it’ll be scanned for errors while correcting any underlying ones that cause BITS not to start or work properly.

This is a temporary measure to help you check whether it’s causing BITS not to start. Your security software protects your device from security threats like viruses and malware, and shouldn’t be disabled.

However, in this case, temporarily disable it and see if BITS starts normally. If so, your antivirus may be the cause. Otherwise, re-enable your security software as soon as you’re done.

If none of the fixes have worked so far, the problem could be with the operating system, and this can be resolved by downloading the latest Microsoft updates.

  1. You can do this manually, but check the KB reference (knowledge base) name from theWindows 10 Update History, and then confirm if you need a 32-bit or 64-bit update version by going toSettings>System>Aboutand checkingSystem Type.

  2. Download theWindows Updatefrom theMicrosoft Update catalog. Here, you can search for the KB reference for the update and click Download for either 32 or 64-bit version.

Click the .msu link to download the file.

  1. Double click the.msu file, or go toCommand Prompt>Run as administratorand type the command:wusa C:\FOLDER-PATH\UPDATE-NAME.msu /quiet  /norestartand pressEnter.

  2. Restart your computer and see if the service works fine again.

Windows Services depend on each other, but there are two particular services that  aren’t listed in Windows Services when you click BITS, yet it’ll only start when these two run properly – theNetwork Location AwarenessandNetwork Listservices.

  1. To enable them, right-clickStart>Runand typeservices.mscand then pressEnter.

  2. In Windows Services, find theNetwork Location Awareness and Network Listservices and right click on each to start them using the startup type steps we described for BITS above.

If each service is started, leave it as is, but if each shows ‘stopped’, click on the Start button to restart the service. Set up all startup settings for each of these services to Automatic, including BITS.

The default startup selection setting should be Normal or Selective startup depending on your computer.

  1. To change it, right-clickStart>Runand typemsconfig. ClickSystem Configuration.

  2. Under theGeneraltab, change theStartupselection toNormal Startup.

  3. ClickApplyand restart your computer to check if the BITS service starts normally again.

  4. Go back to theGeneraltab, and click theSelective startupoption. Clear theLoad startup itemscheckbox.

The Registry Editor requires that you pay careful attention to each step so as to prevent any further issues with your computer. It involves making changes to the registry, so make sure you backup your registry before taking the steps below.

  1. Right-click Start and select Run. Type regedit in the run dialog box to open the Registry Editor. In the Registry Editor, navigate to this key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToBackup

  2. Check if theFilesNotToBackupentry exists in theBackupRestorekey. If not, create it by clicking onEdit>New>Keyin the BackupRestore key. Rename the value toFilesNotToBackupand pressEnter. Leave the key empty.

  3. Go toWindows Services(right clickStart>Run>type services.msc>Enter) and findBackground Intelligence Transfer Service. Right-click BITS and selectProperties.

  4. If BITS service is started, leave it as is; if it’s stopped, clickStart, and ensure the Startup type option in BITS properties is set toAutomatic.

If nothing else works, reset your computer as a last resort.

  1. OpenSettings>Update & Security.

  2. ClickRecovery>Reset this PC.

  3. ClickGet Started, and then selectKeep my filesorRemove everything.  All settings will be returned to default and apps uninstalled, so you’re better off going with theKeep my filesoption.

  4. ClickNext, and select whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. ClickResetand wait for Windows to finish the process. Once it’s done, clickContinue, restart the computer and see if BITS works normally again.

  5. Restart your computer and check if the BITS error is resolved.

Elsie is a technology writer and editor with a special focus on Windows, Android and iOS. She writes about software, electronics and other tech subjects, her ultimate goal being to help people out with useful solutions to their daily tech issues in a simple, straightforward and unbiased style. She has a BCom degree in Marketing and currently pursuing her Masters in Communications and New Media.Read Elsie’s Full Bio

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