How to fix Error 1342 on Windows 11

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Why This Error Happens

Error 1342 typically occurs when the Routing and Remote Access (RRAS) service or a related network server component is in a conflicting state where the system reports it as “enabled” but the underlying service handler cannot properly acknowledge or reinitialize the connection. This usually stems from a corrupted service configuration in the registry, a stale lock left over from an improper shutdown, or a permissions mismatch preventing the Local System account from re-negotiating the server state. In some cases, a third-party VPN or firewall tool interferes with the native RRAS/Server service handshake, triggering this error message.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Verify Current Service Status

  • Open Services.msc (Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter).
  • Locate Routing and Remote Access and check if the Status column shows “Running” despite the feature being disabled in Server Manager or Network Settings.
  • Right-click the service and select Stop.

Step 2: Reset the Service Configuration

  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  • Run: sc config RemoteAccess start= demand
  • Run: net stop RemoteAccess followed by net start RemoteAccess
  • If the command returns Error 1342 again, proceed to registry validation.

Step 3: Validate Registry Keys

  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess
  • Check the Start value; it should be set to 3 (Manual) or 2 (Automatic), not 4 (Disabled).
  • Export the key as a backup before making any changes.
  • Correct the value if it conflicts with the intended state, then restart the machine.

Step 4: Check for Conflicting Third-Party Software

  • Temporarily disable any third-party VPN, antivirus, or firewall software that hooks into network services.
  • Re-attempt enabling the server feature through Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings or via Server Manager if applicable.
  • If the error disappears, whitelist the RRAS process in the third-party tool’s exclusion list.

Step 5: Reinstall the Network Role/Feature

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features (or Server Manager > Remove Roles and Features on server SKUs).
  • Remove the Routing and Remote Access or related networking role.
  • Restart the PC, then reinstall the feature to force a clean configuration rebuild.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • After completing the steps, run sc query RemoteAccess in an elevated Command Prompt — the state should correctly reflect either “STOPPED” or “RUNNING” without triggering Error 1342.
  • If the issue persists, use the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) and DISM (DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) to rule out deeper system file corruption affecting the service manager.