How To

Ways To Fix The “Please Wait For The GPSVC” Message In Windows

The “Please Wait For The GPSVC” message appears during Windows startup or login when the system applies Group Policy settings. This message usually indicates delays in processing or applying policies, often due to network issues, service delays, or large policy configurations. Let us try to understand and fix this issue to ensure a smoother and quicker login experience.

What Is GPSVC

GPSVC stands for Group Policy Client Service. It’s a crucial component in Windows operating systems that handles the application of Group Policy settings. A feature used in Windows networks to manage and configure operating system settings, applications, and user settings in an Active Directory environment.

Why Does The “Please Wait For The GPSVC” Message Occur

The message typically appears during the Windows startup or login process when the system applies Group Policy settings. This message indicates that the Group Policy Client Service (GPSVC) is processing and using the policies defined by administrators. Here are some common reasons why you might see this message:

  • Too many policies are running to process or involve complex settings.
  • The system might be waiting for a network connection to complete the policy application.
  • The system might take longer to apply if there are many Group Policy settings or complex configurations.
  • Corrupted system files related to Group Policy settings or issues with the configuration can cause delays.
  • Malware can cause the problem.

Different Methods On Fixing The Error

The error message appears when there are issues with the group policy editor. Below is a list of solutions you can apply.

We suggest you use a PC optimization tool Alongside fixing the problems to optimize PC performance and keep it running smoothly. 

Method 1: Try Ctrl + Alt + Del

Occasionally, a problem with the Taskbar might result in the “Please Wait for the GPSVC” message appearing on the shutdown screen. To address this, try using the CTRL + ALT + DEL key combination, open the Security Options window, and shut down your computer. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to launch The Security Options.

Step 2: Locate the Power icon in the bottom right corner.

Step 3: Click on it to reveal options and choose Shutdown.
Step 4: Reboot Your PC.

Method 2: Restart the Group Policy Service

The GPSVC service might be encountering a temporary glitch or corruption issue. Restarting the service is an effective way to resolve these problems.

Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Step 2. Type Services.msc and press OK.
Step 3. In the list of services that appears, find Group Policy Client, right-click it, and select Properties from the context menu.

Step 4. In the Properties window, click the Stop button, then wait 10 seconds before clicking Start.
Step 5. Set the Startup Type to Automatic.

Step 6. Click Apply, then OK to save your changes.

Method 3: Reset The Local Group Policy Settings

In certain situations, the “Please Wait for the GPSVC” message may occur due to an underlying issue or misconfigured Local Group Policy settings. To address this, reset the Local Group Policy settings to restore default configurations and resolve conflicts or problems.

Note : This will erase any customizations made through the Group Policy Editor (GPE).

Step 1. Press Win + S to open the Search Box.
Step 2. Type Command Prompt, and the app will appear under the Best Match results.
Step 3. Select Run as Administrator to open Command Prompt with elevated privileges.
Step 4. If the User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes.
Step 5. Please copy and paste the following command, then press Enter to execute it.

RD /S /Q “%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers” && RD /S /Q “%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy”

Step 6: Next, type the following command followed by the Enter key.

gpupdate.exe /force

Step 7: Restart your computer and check.

Method 4: Alter The Windows Registry

The message may sometimes appear due to missing or corrupted GPSVC registry keys. To resolve this issue, you can alter the relevant registry settings.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
Step 2: Type Regedit and click on the OK button.

Step 3: Copy and paste the following path in the address bar of the Windows Registry, followed by Enter.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Svchost.

Step 4: Right-click on the Svchost entry and Select New > Key.

Step 5: Rename the entry as GPSvcGroup.
Step 6: Double-click on it, and it will open.
Step 7: Right-click on the right side and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.


Step 8: Rename this entry as AuthenticationCapabilities
Step 9: Double-click on this new entry, and a box will open.
Step 10: Click the circular button next to Decimal under Base and type “12320” under Value data.

Step 11: Click on the OK button.
Step 12: Repeat Step 7 and rename the new entry as ColnitializeSecurityParam.
Step 13: Double-click on this entry to open a box. Choose Base as Hexadecimal and Value data as 1.
Step 14: Click OK, exit all windows, and reboot your PC.

Method 5: Run A Malware Scan

Group Policy issues can also arise from a virus or malware attack. We recommend using T9 Antivirus, which offers real-time scanning to detect malware and other vulnerabilities on your PC. This antivirus provides exploit protection and safeguards your system from known malware. Additionally, it includes features such as customizable startup programs, an adblocker extension, and a software updater.

Method 6: Execute SFC And DISM Scans On Your PC

SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) are Windows tools used to repair system files and resolve issues related to the operating system.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click it, and select “Run as administrator”).
Step 2: Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete. It will display a message with the results, indicating whether any issues were found and if any repairs were made.
Step 4: Next, run the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.

Step 5: After completing DISM, you may want to rerun sfc /scannow to check for and repair any remaining issues.

Method 7: Download DLL File

Step 1: Download the GPSVC DLL file.

Step 2: Press Win + E to open the File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32.
Step 3: Copy the downloaded compressed file into the above folder and extract the contents here.
Step 4: Reboot Your PC.

Method 8: Restore Your System To An Earlier Point

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run box.
Step 2: Type rstrui in the text box and Press the Enter key.
Step 3: A new window will open where you have to click on Next.


Step 4: Choose the Restore Point and Click on Next.


Step 5: Click on the Finish button and restart your PC.

The Please Wait For The GPSVC Message In Windows – Fixed

The “Please Wait for the GPSVC” message is frustrating and can hinder users from shutting down their Windows computers. This unexpected problem often arises due to issues with Group Policy or missing or corrupted system files.

Although this error can be puzzling, there’s no need to panic. Utilize the methods outlined above to resolve it. If the problem persists despite these efforts, consider resetting your computer or performing a clean installation of Windows as a last resort. Be sure to back up your data before resetting your system.

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Dheeraj Manghnani

Dheeraj Manghnani likes to read and write about latest technological developments that make life simpler in today's intricate world. He has been fascinated by technology since he got his first computer and is on a never ending quest to know more and share his knowledge with others.

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