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WINDOWS SERVICE

WlanSvc: WLAN AutoConfig

Provides the logic to configure, discover, connect to and disconnect from a wireless network (WLAN) as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standards. Microsoft notes it also contains the logic that turns the computer into a software access point, so that other devices can connect to it wirelessly.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Service nameWlanSvc
Display nameWLAN AutoConfig
Runs fromC:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
Command linesvchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p -s Wlansvc
Runs asLocalSystem
VerdictDepends on what you use

Paths, signer and service account observed on Windows 11 build 26300 on 11 November 2026. Run the commands below to check your own PC.

Should you touch it?

Depends on what you use

Microsoft says stopping or disabling it makes every WLAN adapter inaccessible from the Windows networking interface, and that disabling it is not recommended on a computer with a WLAN adapter. Its default startup type is Manual: on the desktop PC used for this page, which has only wired Ethernet, it was stopped, so there was nothing to turn off.

What PC Tweaker does with it

PC Tweaker does not change this service. No control in the catalogue stops it, disables it or edits its start type.

Check it yourself

  1. See its state and start type

    Get-Service WlanSvc | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType
    sc qc WlanSvc
    PowerShell
  2. Let it start only when needed (administrator)

    Note the START_TYPE that sc qc printed first, so you can put it back.

    sc config WlanSvc start= demand
    cmd
  3. Put it back

    Use the start type you noted.

    sc config WlanSvc start= <auto|delayed-auto|demand>
    cmd

Common questions

What does the WlanSvc service do?

Provides the logic to configure, discover, connect to and disconnect from a wireless network (WLAN) as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standards. Microsoft notes it also contains the logic that turns the computer into a software access point, so that other devices can connect to it wirelessly. It runs C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe (svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p -s Wlansvc) as LocalSystem.

Can I disable WlanSvc?

Depends on what you use. Microsoft says stopping or disabling it makes every WLAN adapter inaccessible from the Windows networking interface, and that disabling it is not recommended on a computer with a WLAN adapter. Its default startup type is Manual: on the desktop PC used for this page, which has only wired Ethernet, it was stopped, so there was nothing to turn off.

Wi-Fi says wlansvc is not running. What do I check?

First that the service exists and can start: Get-Service WlanSvc, then net start WlanSvc from an administrator prompt. On Windows 11 build 26300 it depends on nativewifip, RpcSs, Ndisuio and Wcmsvc (Windows Connection Manager), so if one of those is disabled, WLAN AutoConfig cannot start either.

How do I check that it is the real service?

On build 26300 the service is registered as svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p -s Wlansvc, runs as LocalSystem and loads C:\Windows\System32\wlansvc.dll, signed by Microsoft Windows. sc qc WlanSvc prints the same on your PC.