Fix: Windows Could Not Start the Windows Firewall on Local Computer

When you try to run the Windows Firewall service, you could encounter another error message saying, “Windows Could Not Start the Windows Firewall on Local Computer.” This often happens due to incorrect firewall rules in the registry editor or when your account does not have permission to run the Windows Defender Firewall service.

Make sure you don’t have any third-party antivirus installed on your Windows. If there is, then you need to uninstall it because Windows overrides the third-party antivirus firewall instead of your Defender Firewall. Hence, before moving out to the following methods, make sure to uninstall the antivirus software.

1. Delete Firewall Rules from Registry Editor

The first thing you need to do is delete the incorrect firewall rules from the registry editor. Incorrect firewall rules can be created by third-party antivirus software or pirated malware application to disable the Windows Firewall from functioning. Hence, delete the firewall rules folder from the registry editor by using the following instructions.

Before following the steps, make sure to back up your registry files, as they can be used later if you mess up something in the registry editor.

1. Press the Win + R keys to open Run Program.
2. Here type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   
3. Click Yes when you prompt to UAC.
4. Once you are in the registry editor, navigate to the following destination using the left sidebar.

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules

5. Here right-click the FirewallRules and select Delete.
   
6. Once it is deleted, right-click RestrictedServices and select Delete.
   
7. Once done, close the registry editor, and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
8. Then, navigate to the Services Window and try running the Windows Defender Firewall service.

2. Configure Windows Defender Firewall Service Permissions

You should have permission on your account to run the Windows Defender Firewall. If you don’t have permission to run the Windows Defender Firewall, it will display this error. Hence, configure the Windows Defender Firewall service to run under Local Service, which means the Windows Defender Firewall service will run with every account on your Windows.

To do so, follow the steps:

1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Run to open Run Window.
   
2. Enter services.msc command in the search box and click OK to navigate.
   
3. Find Windows Defender Firewall service and right-click on it.
4. Go to the Properties and click Log On from the top.
   
5. Select This account and click Browse.
   
6. Then, click Advanced, and click Find Now.
7. Select Local Service from the search results and click OK.
   
8. Again, click OK.
9. Now set the password of the Local Service according to your preference.
10. Then, click Apply.
    
11. Now, go to the General tab and try starting the service by clicking the Start button.
    

3. Windows Firewall Troubleshooter

Windows Firewall Troubleshooter is a utility that allows users to repair problems automatically. Since this error is related to the Windows Defender Firewall service, it can be fixed by running the Windows Firewall troubleshooter. To do so, follow the steps:

1. First, go to the link to download Windows Firewall Troubleshooter.
2. Once it is downloaded, simply run the troubleshooter and follow the simple instructions to fix your firewall.
   
3. Once done, now your Windows Defender Firewall should automatically turn on after running the troubleshooter.

4. Reset Windows Firewall Settings to default

Resetting the Windows Firewall settings to default is a way to reset the firewall settings that you have configured for all network locations. So if your Windows Defender firewall service is not running due to misconfigured firewall settings, resetting it will fix this error. Follow the steps to reset the firewall settings.

1. Press the Windows key and type Control Panel.
2. Launch the Control Panel and go to Windows and Security.
   
3. Then, go to Windows Defender Firewall settings.
4. Click Restore defaults from the left sidebar.
   
5. Click Restore defaults and click Yes to continue or confirm the action.
   

5. Use a System Restore

If you are still facing the error, unfortunately, you cannot do anything from your side except use a system restore utility or reset your Windows. System Restore is a utility that allows users to create a restore point, which will use later to restore the previous version of Windows if something unusual happens, such as facing this type of error.

If you don’t have created a restore point in the past, then consider resetting your Windows or using the best third-party antivirus software to protect your Windows.

To use a system restore utility, follow the steps:

1. Press the Windows key and enter rstrui in the search box.
2. Click the Rstrui run command from the start menu results to run the system restore utility.
   
3. Click Next and select a restore point.
   
4. Once again, click Next and click Finish to restore your Windows to the previous state.

6. Reset your Windows

If you don’t have a restore point or you don’t want to use third-party antivirus software to use its firewalls, then either you need to reset or reinstall Windows. These are the last two solutions that you can use to get rid of this error message.

You cannot use your Windows Firewall without fixing this error. Hence, it is recommended not to avoid this error and move on to resetting or reinstalling Windows. If you are going to reset Windows, you can follow the steps. If your plan is to reinstall Windows, visit the article.

1. Press the Windows key and type Reset this PC.
   
2. Click on the Reset this PC option from the start menu results to navigate into settings.
3. Click Reset PC under Recovery options.
   
4. Choose Keep my files option.
   
   Selecting the Keep my files option won’t remove your data, such as images, documents, and videos saved in the system disk. However, it will remove the applications and drivers.
5. Select Local Reinstall and click Next.
   
6. Now click Reset to start resetting your Windows.
   
7. Wait for the Windows to be fully reset.

-Windows Could Not Start the Windows Firewall on Local Computer. (Error Code 13) FAQs

What causes Windows Could Not Start Windows Firewall on Local Computer error message?

This error is mostly caused by incorrect firewall entries in the registry editor. Incorrect registry entries can be generated by third-party or untrusted applications.

How do I fix Windows Could Not Start the Windows Firewall on Local Compute?

To fix this error, go to the registry editor and delete the incorrect firewall rules folder, which might be preventing the Windows Defender Firewall from running properly. Once done, restart your computer.

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