0x80370114 The Operation Could Not Be Started Because a Required Feature Is Not Installed

Are you unable to access the Linux environment, as a required feature, typically the Virtual Machine Platform, is disabled or not installed on your computer, causing the WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114? Then, you are in the right place. 

While the error looks frustrating, it is easily solved with some simple workarounds, such as enabling the Virtual Machine, repairing the system files, disabling Windows Defender, restarting the LxssManager, and performing a clean boot. In this article, we explain all these tried and tested solutions to the WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error 0x80370114 in detail. 

However, before that, let’s have a quick overview of the error and its causes for better understanding. 

What Is WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114

WSL means Windows Subsystem for Linux for Windows 10. It is essential for developers to operate a Linux platform on a Windows computer without switching their operating system. 

The WSL error 0x80370114 indicates that your system is experiencing problems installing or configuring the Linux distribution within the Windows Subsystem for Linux due to reasons such as disabled virtualization, missing or corrupted system files, interference from the antivirus, or outdated Windows versions. Let’s understand these factors in the next section. 

Causes of WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114

The following factors may be responsible for the WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error 0x80370114 on your computer. 

• Disabled virtualization: WSL uses virtualization technology to operate Linux distributions. Hence, the WSL function cannot function smoothly if the Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Subsystem for Linux are disabled on your PC.

• Corrupted or missing system files: If WSL or virtualization-related system files are corrupted or missing from your system, it may cause the WSL error 0x80370114.

• Antivirus interference: Your antivirus software may restrict the WSL installation or registration, leading to the error: 0x80370114. The operation could not be started because a required feature is not installed.

• Outdated version of Windows: You might be using an unsupported and old Windows version that does not support WSL, leading to the error you are experiencing.

The above are some possible reasons you may struggle with the wsl/installdistro/service/registerdistro/createvm/hcs/hcs_e_service_not_available

error code. After getting familiar with the error and its causes, let’s learn how to fix it. 

Fixes for WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114

You can apply the following solutions sequentially until the problem is resolved to fix the WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114. 

Fix 1: Activate Virtual Machine

Your computer must have the Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Subsystem for Linux to ensure WSL functions correctly. Hence, below is how to activate them to fix the WSL error 0x80370114. 

• First, click on the Windows icon (Start button) and type Turn Windows Features on and off in the on-screen search bar.

• Second, choose Turn Windows Features on and off settings from the search results.

• Once the Windows Features appear on your screen, scroll down and check the Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Subsystem for Linux features, and click OK.

• Lastly, restart your computer to complete the process.

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Fix 2: Check and repair system files

Missing or corrupted system files are often the culprit behind the WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114. Hence, you can follow the steps below to check and repair your system files. 

• In the first step, click on the Windows icon and type Command Prompt in the on-screen search bar.

• Second, click on the first search result to open Command Prompt.

• In this step, type the following commands one after the other in the Command Prompt window and press Enter after each command.

sfc /scannow

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

• After executing the above steps, restart your computer.

• Lastly, you can perform the WSL installation to complete the process.

Fix 3: Disable Windows Security or your antivirus

Your antivirus software or Windows Security may interfere with the WSL installation. Hence, below is how to disable the antivirus or Windows Security to solve the problem. 

• First, click on the Start button, type Windows Security in the on-screen search bar, and then click on the first search result to open it.

• In this step, choose Virus and threat protection from the on-screen security options.

• Next, click Manage Settings and then toggle off Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Automatic sample submission.

• Lastly, restart your computer to apply the changes you have made in the previous steps.

Fix 4: Restart your LXSS Manager

The LXSS Manager enables your computer system to access Linux apps on Windows, including the file system. It installs, configures, and executes Linux distributions within your WSL or Windows systems. Stopping and starting this service again helps resolve the WSL installation problems. Hence, below is how to restart this service. 

• In the first step, use the Windows logo key+R key combination to access the Run utility.

• Next, type services.msc in the on-screen Run box and press OK.

• Once the Windows services appear, find the LxssManager service.

• Right-click the LxssManager service and choose Stop from the on-screen menu.

• Next, click Apply and OK to save the changes.

• In this step, exit the services panel and then open it again.

• Next, find and right-click the LxssManager service and then choose Restart from the available options.

• Lastly, restart your computer and install WSL again.

Fix 5: Clean boot your computer

Performing a clean boot can help identify apps that may have caused the error: 0x80370114. The operation could not be started because a required feature is not installed. Thus, below is how to clean boot your computer so that you can detect and fix the issue. 

• First, access the Run utility using the Windows key+R key combination.

• Second, type msconfig in the on-screen Run box and click OK.

• Next, navigate to the Services tab in the System Configuration window and check the Load system services and Load startup items boxes.

• In this step, check the Hide all Microsoft services box and then click on the Disable All button.

• Next, navigate to the Startup tab in the System Configuration window and click on the link to Open Task Manager.

• In this step, right-click each task one by one and choose Disable from the on-screen options.

• Lastly, complete the process by restarting your computer.

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WslRegisterDistribution Failed with Error: 0x80370114 (the operation could not be started because a required feature is not installed). Fixed

That’s all for how to fix the error: 0x80370114. The operation could not be started because a required feature is not installed.  You can resolve the WSL Register Distribution failed problem by applying the above solutions one by one, beginning with the first solution and stopping when the issue disappears. 

However, do not hesitate to contact us through the comments section if you have any doubts, questions, or concerns about this guide. You can also leave your suggestions (if any) about this article in the comments section. Also, get more free tech guides like this by subscribing to our newsletter.