# Inventory Scan failure - WMI Service is Down / Disabled

Last Updated On: 18 Sep 2026

## Problem

You are unable to proceed with manual / scheduled Inventory Scanning and you get an error **"WMI Connection Failed"/"Asset Scan Locked"** during the process.

## Cause

**Note:** If you encounter the error message "Asset Scan is Locked," it indicates that dcinventory.exe has likely crashed. Please reach out to [endpointcentral-support@manageengine.com](mailto:endpointcentral-support@manageengine.com) for further assistance.

You will encounter this error due to one or more of the following reasons:

- Client machine is too slow due to reasons like high CPU/Memory utilization.
- WMI is not configured properly.
- WMI repository corrupted.
- WMI Service Disabled

## Resolution

1. [To check if WMI Service is running](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#running)
2. [To check if WMI Repository is corrupted](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#corrupted)
3. [To perform a repair/re-sync of the WMI repository](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#repair)
4. [To rebuild your WMI repository](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#rebuild)

### To check if WMI Service is running:

- Open **Services** and check the "**Windows Management Instrumentation**" status is **Running** and startup type is **Automatic**.

### To check if WMI Repository is corrupted:

- Run:

```text
wbemtest
```

![WMI repository is corrupted step 1](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/inventory/wmi1.webp)

- Connect to namespace **root\cimV2**.

![WMI repository is corrupted step 2](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/inventory/wmi2.webp)

- Select **query** and enter:

```text
Select * from Win32_operatingsystem
```

![WMI repository is corrupted step 3](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/inventory/wmi3.webp)

- The above image depicts healthy wmi repository.
- Incase error occurs in wbemtest, then [rebuild](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#rebuild)/[repair](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#repair)/[resync](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/inventory/inventory_asset_scan_locked.html#repair) the wmi repository.

### To perform a repair/re-sync of the WMI repository

Run the following commands in **Command Prompt as administrator** on the machine being monitored:

**For Windows XP and Windows 2000 Servers:**

- To clear the WMI performance counter settings.

```text
winmgmt /clearadap
```

- To stop the WMI Service.

```text
winmgmt /kill
```

- To unregister the WMI service.

```text
winmgmt /unregserver
```

- To register the WMI service.

```text
winmgmt /regserver
```

- To re-synchronizes performance counters.

```text
winmgmt /resyncperf
```

**For Windows 2003 Servers:**

- To recompile all MOF Files.

```text
wmiadap.exe /c
```

- To reload the performance library and rebuilds the performance counters.

```text
wmiadap.exe /f
```

- To reload all performance counters and their settings from the Windows registry.

```text
lodctr /R
```

- For Windows 7 and later versions, and Windows Server 2008:

```text
winmgmt /salvagerepository
```

### To rebuild your WMI repository follow the below steps

- Open **Services**, locate the **Windows Management Instrumentation** service. Set the Startup Type to **Disabled** and **Stop** the Service.
- Remove or rename the **Repository** folder from the path:

```text
C:\Windows\System32\wbem\
```

- Once you have removed or renamed the Repository folder, set the Startup Type as **Enable** and **Start** the **Windows Management Instrumentation** Service.
- Open **Command Prompt** as Administrator and execute the following commands:
  1. ```text
     cd C:\Windows\System32\wbem\
     ```
  2. ```text
     for /f %s in ('dir /b *.mof') do mofcomp %s
     ```

     Kindly note that the above command will take a minute or so to complete. Once completed proceed with below command.

  3. ```text
     for /f %s in ('dir /b en-us\*.mfl') do mofcomp en-us\%s
     ```

Open Performance Monitor to verify that all counters can be loaded.

**Note:** If you encounter an error in Performance Monitor, refer the [Microsoft KB](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/performance/manually-rebuild-performance-counters) document for assistance.

## Verification

After completing all the steps, Verify if WMI service is running in the services.

- If the service is running, change the startup type to automatic.
- Restart the WMI service to proceed with asset scan.

If the above settings are already configured:

- Press Windows and R button to open RUN dialog, and enter:

```text
wbemtest
```

- Click Connect and select Query.
- Execute the query:

```text
Select * from Win32_operatingsystem
```

- If this works, resume your inventory scan operation.