ERROR_SERVICE_EXISTS 0x80070431

Error code 1073 · HRESULT 0x80070431

WINDOWS

The specified service already exists.

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_SERVICE_EXISTS is a Windows error code (system error 1073, returned as HRESULT 0x80070431) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The specified service already exists.”

How to fix ERROR_SERVICE_EXISTS

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_FAILERROR_SERVICE_DISABLEDERROR_SERVICE_REQUEST_TIMEOUTERROR_SERVICE_MARKED_FOR_DELETEERROR_ALREADY_RUNNING_LKGERROR_INVALID_SERVICE_LOCKERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_DELETED

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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