Error Description

This error occurs when the Windows Remote Management (WinRM / WS-Management) service attempts to interact with the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service, but the underlying WMI provider fails to execute the requested operation. This usually happens due to corrupted WMI repositories, misconfigured WinRM settings, broken WMI provider registrations, or permission conflicts between the services. It commonly interrupts remote PowerShell sessions, server management tools, and automated deployment scripts.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Follow these steps in order to resolve the issue.

Step 1: Restart the WinRM and WMI Services

Sometimes the services enter a deadlocked or glitched state. Restarting them can quickly clear temporary communication errors.

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following command to stop the WinRM service and press Enter:

   net stop winrm

3. Type the following command to stop the WMI service and press Enter (Note: It may ask to stop other dependent services, type Y and press Enter if prompted):

   net stop winmgmt

4. Start the WMI service again:

   net start winmgmt

5. Start the WinRM service again:

   net start winrm

Step 2: Re-register the WMI Components

If a specific WMI provider is failing, re-registering the WMI core dynamic link libraries (.dll) and compiled managed object format (.mof) files will repair the connections.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Navigate to the WMI directory by executing:

   cd %windir%\system32\wbem

3. Re-register all WMI DLL files in the folder by running:

   for /f %s in ('dir /b *.dll') do regsvr32 /s %s

4. Recompile the WMI repository MOF files by running:

   for /f %s in ('dir /b *.mof *.mfl') do mofcomp %s

5. Restart your computer to let the changes take effect.

Step 3: Run the WMI Self-Assessment and Repair

If the repository itself is structurally damaged, Windows can check its integrity and rebuild it.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Check the health of the WMI repository by running:

   winmgmt /verifyrepository

3. If the output says "Repository is NOT consistent", run the repair command:

   winmgmt /salvagerepository

4. If the salvage command fails, you can force a rebuild by running:

   winmgmt /resetrepository

5. Restart the computer after running the reset command.

Step 4: Reset the WinRM Configuration

If WMI is healthy but the WS-Management service has broken listeners or endpoint configurations, resetting WinRM to its default state will resolve the conflict.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Reset the WinRM configuration by executing:

   winrm quickconfig

3. Type y and press Enter to confirm any configuration changes, firewall exceptions, or listener creations prompted by the tool.