WaaSMedicSvc Failed to Read Description. Error Code: 2

gtspeck · May 11, 2025

Reviewing SERVICES I came upon the above error. I'm not sure if it’s something I should be concerned with or not.

Windows update seems to be working fine and SFC or DISM does not show any errors. Additionally I’m not an insider.

If it’s an error that needs attention, any help to fix it would be appreciated.

glasskuter · May 11, 2025

I have 3 machines running latest release version and all 3 get the error code 2 when running Windows update troubleshooter. This was an old bug in Windows 10 but making the registry changes that worked in 10 has not fixed it for me. I have submitted it to feedback hub.

kimmydotzip · Dec 23, 2025

It's harmless. I did a deep dive of the reason on reddit.

Part 1:

https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1ohtcsv/comment/nvmbxqe

Part 2:

https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1ohtcsv/comment/nvmbz6b

DJNelson · Dec 23, 2025

WaasMedicSvc is legitimate but very annoying. It can be removed if you get tired of drive-by downloads of annoying and useless features, like MS Edge.

XxXxX · Dec 23, 2025

in Windows services change the WaaSMedicSvc from automatic to manual
the service will run as and when required but with no error messages.

if unable to change the setting to manual in Windows services please find this registry key
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaaSMedicSvc
and in the righthand window change 'Start' to 3 (0x00000003)

close the Windows registry and restart your computer
this will set the service to manual in Windows services.

best of luck Steve ..

kimmydotzip · Dec 23, 2025

XxXxX said:
in Windows services change the WaaSMedicSvc from automatic to manual
the service will run as and when required but with no error messages.

if unable to change the setting to manual in Windows services please find this registry key
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaaSMedicSvc
and in the righthand window change 'Start' to 3 (0x00000003)

close the Windows registry and restart your computer
this will set the service to manual in Windows services.

best of luck Steve ..

Mine was already set to manual. Is that not default?

DJNelson · Dec 23, 2025

It has to be manually deleted in order to keep it from running and changing settings, but you don't want to do that unless you're also willing to forego windows updates.

NormanF · Dec 23, 2025

Copilot will tell you traceback is usually harmless unless something stops working. You can safely ignore it.

XxXxX · Dec 23, 2025

kimmydotzip said:
Mine was already set to manual. Is that not default?

mine was set to Auto when i last checked but i found that disabling WaaMedicSvc causes issues
so i set it to manual via the registry, but i do have 61 other services set to disabled and another 83 services set to manual.
only required services are set to Auto. but thats just me.

best of luck Steve ..

KevTech · Dec 24, 2025

kimmydotzip said:
Mine was already set to manual. Is that not default?

Yes, manual is the default setting for that service as it only runs when needed to repair Windows Update components.

WaaSMedicSvc Failed to Read Description. Error Code: 2

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