waaSMedicSvc failed to read descripton error code 2

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

I'm glad to help you.

Error code 2, it can be concluded that background services files were missing from the system. 

You can try the following steps first.

1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type Regedit in the Run dialog box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the following location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MUI

3. Now right-click on the MUI key and select New -> Key. Name the newly created key as StringCacheSettings.

In the right pane of this newly created key, create a new DWORD value, and name it as StringCacheGeneration. Double-click this newly created DWORD to modify its Value data:

4. In the above-shown box, type the Value data as 38b. Make sure you have selected Hexadecimal base here. Click OK. You may now close the Registry Editor and reboot to get fixed up.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thank you Derrick but I have already tried this option and it didn't work. I checked it this morning and stringcachegeneration is set to 38b and waasmedicsvc still says failed to read description error code 2 after restart.

Hi Sharon,

Error 2 means ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND. I think the "Windows Update Medic Service" service DLL is missing from the system. The other WU-related services may also be missing. Download Malwarebytes and run a thorough scan. Let's know how it goes.

The missing files can be restored by running SFC /SCANNOW from admin Command Prompt.

The next step is to check for and restore the missing service registration for WU-related services, such as UsoSvc, BITS, Wuauserv, etc.

I did both of those and it still did not work and the waaSMedicSvc media is still giving me a

It's due to a bug in 22H2.

As a workaround, go to the following branch in the Registry Editor.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaaSMedicSvc

Double-click "Description" and type in the following description:

Enables remediation and protection of Windows Update components.

Double-click "DisplayName" and type the following:

Windows Update Medic Service

Exit the Registry Editor.

Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

I did that step by step instruction and found the Windows Update would say there was an update but it seemed to flash and no update was done, then hitting Update again I saw another file which seemed to look the same do the same with the previous still showing.

So I decided in order to see what this file was, I would record on my iPhone so I could scroll to that screen that flashed to see what it was and it's the same file trying to upload saying it was completed, but why so many duplicates? Shouldn't it just disappear once completed?

The files all say the following:
Update for Windows Security Platform antimalware platform - KB5007651 (Version 1.0.2303.28002)

I then went to the Troubleshooter and did a scan and here's what came through. It's also saying I have Windows 10

But I have:
Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎16/‎10/‎2022

OS build 22621.1928

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22644.1000.0

Clearly the Windows Update isn't detecting the fact my computer is running Windows 11 Home Version 22H2

So what the heck is going on Microsoft???!!!

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

I'm glad to help you.

Error code 2, it can be concluded that background services files were missing from the system. 

You can try the following steps first.

1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type Regedit in the Run dialog box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the following location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MUI

3. Now right-click on the MUI key and select New -> Key. Name the newly created key as StringCacheSettings.

In the right pane of this newly created key, create a new DWORD value, and name it as StringCacheGeneration. Double-click this newly created DWORD to modify its Value data:

4. In the above-shown box, type the Value data as 38b. Make sure you have selected Hexadecimal base here. Click OK. You may now close the Registry Editor and reboot to get fixed up.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

I did that but then after I restarted the laptop I found the Value Data changed to e6 on it's own ??

I did both of those and it still did not work and the waaSMedicSvc media is still giving me a

Same it's so frustrating!
I wish I'd never went to Version 22H2

It's given nothing but trouble I had issues before with Microsoft Store updates not working now this..

Hi Sharon,

Error 2 means ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND. I think the "Windows Update Medic Service" service DLL is missing from the system. The other WU-related services may also be missing. Download Malwarebytes and run a thorough scan. Let's know how it goes.

The missing files can be restored by running SFC /SCANNOW from admin Command Prompt.

The next step is to check for and restore the missing service registration for WU-related services, such as UsoSvc, BITS, Wuauserv, etc.

I did that and it said everything was repaired, I restarted and still have the same issues.

The file I was able to see attempting to be downloaded and claiming to have been downloaded but still repeating a download on was this... I only managed to get an image of it because I used the video record option on my phone then took the screenshot because it disappeared so fast.

Where can I download Malwarebytes
I am wary about downloading from a Google search as you could end up downloading a virus from someone, if there's a legit Windows download link you can provide I'd really appreciate it because that appears to be what may be required.

Here's what came up in the Troubleshooting report.

Hooray! I found how to fix the problem!
Believe it or not I joined the Insider Program and it said I had to have critical updates so I clicked the button and low and behold it started downloading in Windows Updates correctly!

Damn!! Whodathunk?!