The “Please wait for the GPSVC” loop in Windows is a frustrating issue that can cause the system to get stuck upon a shutdown attempt. This loop is related to the Group Policy Client Service (GPSVC).
Below, we take a look at the different causes of this problem, followed by the solutions you may try to fix it.
What Does “Please Wait for the GPSVC” Mean?
The “Please wait for the GPSVC” statement occurs while the system is waiting for the Group Policy Client Service (GPSVC) to complete certain active processes. This service works by managing and applying the group policies in your Windows system.
The time this service takes to complete the process can depend upon factors such as the complexity of the Group Policy settings, network connectivity, and the performance of the system. While it is generally recommended to avoid interrupting the process till it completes, there are times when this loop can take forever to end.
This normally happens due to one or more of the following reasons:
It is essential to note that the exact cause of this loop can vary, depending upon different circumstances. However, regardless of what the cause might be, the troubleshooting methods we have listed below are sure to help you fix the issue for good.
Setting Up Your PC for Troubleshooting
To start the troubleshooting, you must be able to access your system. This can be done in two ways; you can eitherperform a Windows rebootto break the loop using the Ctrl + Alt + Delete menu or enter the Safe Mode.
If you have tried rebooting but the error pops up again, you can boot into the Safe Mode through Windows Recovery Environment.
This will launch the system with a set of only the necessary drivers and services. Once you are in Safe Mode, you’re able to take further steps to diagnose the issue and fix it.
Here is how you can do that:
Once you are in Safe Mode, proceed with the solutions we have listed below.
1. Restart the Group Policy Client Service
The GPSVC service itself might be dealing with a temporary glitch or a corruption error that is causing it to malfunction. The easiest way to fix issues with the service is by restarting it.
You can now exit the Services window and check if the issue is resolved.
2. Reset the Local Group Policy Settings
As we mentioned earlier, there can be an issue with the Local Group Policy settings. To check if this is the case in your situation, you may reset the Local Group Policy settings. This will restore the configurations to the default state, eliminating any potential conflicts that may have caused the issue.
However, before you proceed, it is important to note that this will also remove any customizations or modifications you made via GPE.
If that is not a problem, follow these steps to proceed:
3. Modify the GPSVC Registry File
There is also a chance that the GPSVC registry keys are missing or corrupt, which is preventing the service from functioning properly. Such issues can be fixed by modifying the relevant values as shown below.
Before proceeding, we recommend that youcreate a Registry backup, just to be safe. Once that is done, follow these steps to proceed:
Apart from these specific fixes, you can also tryperforming a system restoreor scanning the systemusing the built-in SFC and DISM Windows tools. The former will help revert the system to an older, error-free state, while performing a system scan will help fix any corruption errors in the system that might be contributing to the problem.
GPSVC Loops on Windows, Fixed
The “Please Wait for the GPSVC” loop doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. Hopefully, the solutions above will help you fix this issue for good. If the problem persists, it is always recommended to seek assistance from technical experts or Microsoft support.
