How to fix “Circular service dependency was specified. [ERROR_CIRCULAR_DEPENDENCY (0x423)]” – Error Code 1059

Overview

In this article, we’ll focus on resolving the issue described as: “Circular service dependency was specified. [ERROR_CIRCULAR_DEPENDENCY (0x423)]”. This error, identified by the error code Error Code 1059, can impede your system’s performance, and here’s how you can fix it.

Identifying the Problem

Error Code 1059 typically occurs when attempting to configure services in Windows. This issue arises when two or more services are configured to depend on each other, creating a circular dependency. The affected services cannot be started or stopped, resulting in system instability.

Common Fixes

1. Enable Services in the Correct Order:

• Open the “Services” window (search for “Services” in the Start menu).
• Identify the services that are part of the circular dependency.
• Right-click on each service, select “Properties,” then go to the “Dependencies” tab.
• Ensure that the order of dependencies is correct. Services with “This service depends on the following services:” should be listed first.

2. Disable and Re-enable the Services:

• In the “Services” window, right-click on each service involved in the dependency loop and select “Disable.”
• Once all services are disabled, restart your computer.
• Re-open the “Services” window and right-click on each service to select “Enable.”

3. Use the Command Prompt:

• Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Enter the following commands:

net stop "Service Name 1"
net start "Service Name 2"
* Repeat for each pair of services in the circular dependency.

Advanced Troubleshooting

1. Edit the Registry:

• Open the Registry Editor (regedit) as an administrator.
• Navigate to:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
• Find the registry key for each service involved in the circular dependency.
• Right-click on the “DependOnService” key and select “Modify.”
• Remove any circular dependencies listed in the DWORD value data.

2. Disable the Dependency:

• In the “Services” window, right-click on one of the services and select “Properties.”
• Click on the “Dependencies” tab.
• Locate the service that causes the circular dependency.
• Uncheck the checkbox next to the service name under “This service depends on the following services.”

Conclusion

Error Code 1059 can be resolved by addressing the circular dependency between services. The common fixes and advanced troubleshooting methods outlined in this article should assist in resolving the issue. To prevent future occurrences, it’s important to carefully configure service dependencies and ensure they are logical and free of loops.