ERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_FAIL - 1068 (0x42C)
The dependency service or group failed to start.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
The ERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_FAIL error code indicates that a service failed to start due to an issue with one of its dependencies. This can occur when the dependent service or group did not start successfully, preventing the primary service from starting as well.
Error Details
This error is typically encountered during the startup process of services in the Windows operating system. It suggests that there was a failure in the dependency chain, where a required service or group of services failed to initialize properly before the dependent service could start.
Usage Context
The ERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_FAIL can be observed when troubleshooting issues related to service dependencies during system startup or service management operations. This error is often encountered in scenarios such as:
- System boot-up process
- Service control manager (SCM) operations
- Manual service start attempts
Developer Interpretation
When encountering this error, developers should consider the following aspects of their application's design and implementation:
- Ensure that all required services are correctly identified and configured as dependencies.
- Verify that dependent services or groups are set to appropriate startup types (e.g., Automatic) so they start before the dependent service.
- Check for any potential issues with the dependent services, such as configuration errors, missing files, or incorrect permissions.
Related Errors
Related error codes and conditions include:
ERROR_SERVICE_START_HANG(3000): Indicates that a service failed to respond within the time limit during startup.ERROR_DEPENDENCY_NOT_FOUND(1069): Suggests that a required dependency was not found or could not be loaded.
FAQ
Q: What does the ERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_FAIL error mean?
A: It indicates that a service failed to start because one of its dependencies did not start successfully.
Q: How can I resolve this issue?
A: Review and correct any issues with the dependent services, ensure they are set to appropriate startup types, and verify their configurations.
Summary
The ERROR_SERVICE_DEPENDENCY_FAIL error is a generic indication that a service failed to start due to dependency issues. Developers should focus on ensuring proper configuration of dependencies and verifying the health of all required services during system initialization or service management operations.