You have set up Internet Connection Sharing on your Windows 11 PC to share your wired or cellular connection with other devices, but the service refuses to start. The Internet Connection Sharing service, also called SharedAccess, fails to start with error 1068, 1058, or 5. This happens because of missing dependencies, corrupted service configuration, or security software blocking the service. This article explains the exact causes and provides step-by-step fixes to get the ICS service running again.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Internet Connection Sharing Service Startup Failures
- Services console > Windows Firewall > Automatic + Started: The ICS service depends on the Windows Firewall service being running. If the firewall service is disabled, ICS cannot start.
- Services console > Remote Access Connection Manager > Automatic + Started: This dependency must be running before ICS will start. If it is set to Manual or Disabled, change it to Automatic and start it.
- Registry Editor > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess: If the Start value is set to 4 Disabled, change it to 2 Automatic to allow the service to start.
Why the Internet Connection Sharing Service Fails to Start
The Internet Connection Sharing service, whose internal name is SharedAccess, has two key dependencies: the Windows Firewall service and the Remote Access Connection Manager service. If either of these is disabled or not running, ICS will report error 1068 The dependency service or group failed to start. A corrupted service registry entry can also cause error 1058 The service cannot be started because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. Third-party antivirus or firewall software may block the ICS service entirely, returning error 5 Access is denied.
Windows 11 also includes a built-in mobile hotspot feature that replaces ICS for most users, but ICS is still required for certain sharing scenarios such as bridging connections or sharing through a wired Ethernet port. Understanding these dependencies helps you diagnose the exact reason the service will not start.
Error 1068: Dependency Service or Group Failed to Start
This is the most common error. It means the Windows Firewall service or the Remote Access Connection Manager service is not running. Both must be set to Automatic and started before ICS will start.
Error 1058: Service Disabled or No Enabled Devices
This error indicates the ICS service itself is disabled in the registry or Services console. The service Start value in the registry may be 4 Disabled, or the service startup type is set to Disabled in the Services console.
Error 5: Access Denied
This error occurs when a third-party security program or group policy restricts the ICS service. It can also happen if the user account does not have administrator privileges.
Steps to Enable and Start the Internet Connection Sharing Service
Follow these steps in order. After each step, check if the ICS service starts. If it still fails, move to the next step.
Step 1: Start the Windows Firewall Service
- Open the Services console
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. - Locate Windows Firewall
Scroll down and double-click Windows Defender Firewall. - Set startup type to Automatic
In the Startup type dropdown, select Automatic. Click Start if the service is not already running. Click OK.
Step 2: Start the Remote Access Connection Manager Service
- Find Remote Access Connection Manager
In the Services console, locate Remote Access Connection Manager. - Set startup type to Automatic
Double-click it. Set Startup type to Automatic. Click Start if the service is stopped. Click OK.
Step 3: Enable the Internet Connection Sharing Service
- Locate Internet Connection Sharing
In the Services console, find Internet Connection Sharing ICS. - Set startup type to Automatic
Double-click it. Set Startup type to Automatic. Click Start. If it starts, stop here. If it gives an error, proceed to the registry fix.
Step 4: Fix the Registry Entry for SharedAccess
- Open Registry Editor
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes on the UAC prompt. - Navigate to the ICS key
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess. - Check the Start value
In the right pane, double-click Start. If the value is 4, change it to 2. Click OK. - Restart the computer
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC. After reboot, open Services and start the ICS service.
Step 5: Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus or Firewall
- Open your security software
Open your third-party antivirus or firewall application. - Disable real-time protection
Look for an option to disable real-time protection or the firewall temporarily. Follow the software instructions to turn it off. - Start the ICS service
While the protection is off, try to start the ICS service from the Services console. If it starts, add an exclusion for the ICS service in your security software.
If the Internet Connection Sharing Service Still Refuses to Start
ICS Service Starts but Stops Immediately
This usually means the network adapter you are trying to share does not have a valid IP address or the connection is not active. Verify that the source connection Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular is connected and has internet access. In the Network Connections control panel ncpa.cpl, right-click the source adapter and select Diagnose. Windows will attempt to reset the adapter and renew the IP address.
Error 1079: The Account Specified for This Service Is Different from the Account Specified for Other Services Running in the Same Process
This error occurs when the Log On account for the ICS service has been changed from the default LocalSystem account. Open Services, double-click Internet Connection Sharing ICS, go to the Log On tab, select Local System account, and click OK. Then restart the service.
ICS Service Is Missing from Services Console
If the ICS service entry is completely missing, the service binary or registry key may be corrupted. Run the System File Checker by opening Command Prompt as administrator and typing sfc /scannow. After the scan completes, restart the PC. If the service is still missing, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an elevated Command Prompt to repair the Windows image.
Internet Connection Sharing vs Mobile Hotspot: Key Differences
| Item | Internet Connection Sharing ICS | Windows 11 Mobile Hotspot |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Shares one internet connection with other devices through a second network adapter | Shares a Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular connection over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth |
| Setup location | Network Connections control panel ncpa.cpl | Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot |
| Dependencies | Windows Firewall and Remote Access Connection Manager services | None beyond standard network services |
| Supported sharing methods | Wired Ethernet to Ethernet, Ethernet to Wi-Fi, cellular to Ethernet | Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi, Ethernet to Wi-Fi, cellular to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth tethering |
| Common errors | 1068, 1058, 5, 1079 | Rare service errors |
| Best for | Bridging two wired networks or sharing from a PC with two Ethernet ports | Quick wireless sharing from a laptop or desktop with Wi-Fi |
You can now diagnose why the Internet Connection Sharing service refuses to start on Windows 11 by checking its dependencies, registry settings, and third-party software conflicts. Start with the Services console to verify that the Windows Firewall and Remote Access Connection Manager services are running. If the registry fix does not help, run the System File Checker to repair corrupted system files. For most wireless sharing scenarios, consider using the Mobile Hotspot feature in Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot, which does not depend on the ICS service.