{"id":38993,"date":"2026-08-06T15:07:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T09:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/?p=38993"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:55:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:25:00","slug":"fix-killer-network-service-not-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/fix-killer-network-service-not-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Killer Network Service Not Running? Here’s How to Actually Fix It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Killer Intelligence Center is an app that helps manage the network connection by prioritizing gaming traffic over background downloads, streaming or bandwidth heavy tasks. This is why the error “Service Not Running” is a serious issue and sometimes because of it gamers after trying every way to fix it think about reinstalling Windows. If you too think the same, then wait. This is a common problem faced by Dell, Asus, and Acer users because the manufacturers push updates through Windows Update<\/a> which break the service registration causing the error. You can fix it in just 30 minutes without reinstalling anything because it is just a broken service that needs fixing.<\/p>\n

However, before we get into details you need to check a few things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check internet connection speed if it is fine simply disable the service to avoid getting the error message.<\/li>\n
  2. If it isn’t, follow the steps below.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n
    \n
    <\/i><\/div>\n
    \n

    Note : <\/strong>Since Killer Network Service runs to give gaming traffic a priority over background downloads. If the WiFi and Ethernet work perfectly fine without the service, you can disable it.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Causes Killer Network Service Not Working Error<\/h3>\n

    Cause 1: Corrupt or Missing Configuration Files<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The config files for Killer Performance Suite are saved in C:\\ProgramData\\RivetNetworks\\Killer. If these files get corrupted or don\u2019t exist the service is unable to find files and shuts down.<\/p>\n

    Cause 2: Driver Dependency Failed (Netwtw12)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The service needs a Netwtw12.sys driver for working. However, when Windows is updated, this driver is sometimes partially overwritten or it loses compatibility. To check if this is the case go to Event Viewer and see if there are Event IDs 7027, 7005, or 7010.<\/p>\n

    Cause 3: Broken Service Dependency Chain <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Killer service doesn\u2019t run alone, it depends on several system services like NDIS, Tcpip, etc. When you get error 1068 it means: “Windows tried to start the service but couldn’t as the dependent service is not working.<\/p>\n

    How to Fix Killer Network Service Not Running<\/h2>\n

    Preliminary DIAGNOSIS<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Step 1: Check If the Service Is Running<\/h3>\n

    1. Press Windows key + R. Type services.msc and press Enter.
    \n2. Look for Killer Network Service<\/strong> and check the status under the Status tab. If it is blank<\/strong> the service is not running, stopped <\/strong>service was running, now stopped, if running it means what it says.<\/p>\n

    \"Services<\/p>\n

    3. Under\u00a0 Startup Type <\/strong>check the type. If it is automatic<\/strong> it means the service starts on boot. If disabled<\/strong> means it is disabled by Windows due to some error.<\/p>\n

    \"Startup<\/p>\n

    Step 2: Check error code in Event Viewer<\/h3>\n

    1. Press Windows key + R and type eventvwr.mscpress Enter.<\/p>\n

    \"Check<\/p>\n

    2. Click Windows Logs<\/strong> from the left bar. Click System.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Windows<\/p>\n

    3. Check the recent entries from the last hour to see if you find:<\/p>\n

    “Killer”
    \n<\/strong>“Netwtw12”
    \n<\/strong>“RivetNetworks”<\/strong><\/p>\n

    4. Double-click the entries one by one and note down the Event ID<\/strong> number and read the Description<\/strong>.
    \n5. This error ID will tell you what to do.<\/p>\n

    Event ID 7027<\/strong> is related to the Netwtw12 driver and it means your wireless driver files are incomplete or corrupted.<\/p>\n

    Event ID 16 or Event ID 0<\/strong> with error message “Service Starting” \/ “The system cannot find the file specified” \/ “Error Extracting Config file from Structured Storage” means the service cannot find configuration files in ProgramData.<\/p>\n

    Event Viewer Shows Dependency Service Error <\/strong>with error message “The service depended on an event which has already been signaled” OR “Cannot start because a required service failed to start.” It means the service on which Killer depends isn\u2019t running or is disabled.<\/p>\n

    Event Viewer Shows Nothing (No Recent Errors)<\/strong> this means the service is trying to start but unable to before logging as installation is incomplete.<\/p>\n

    To fix it follow these steps: <\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Uninstall Killer Performance Suite. Open Windows Settings > Apps > search “Killer” > Uninstall.<\/li>\n
    2. Restart your computer<\/li>\n
    3. Download fresh Killer Performance Suite from Intel: https:\/\/www.intel.com\/content\/www\/us\/en\/download\/19779\/intel-killer-performance-suite.html<\/li>\n
    4. Install and restart the PC.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If this doesn\u2019t work you will need to update the driver.<\/p>\n

      Step 3: Fix Corrupt Configuration File<\/h3>\n

      If you see\u00a0 Event ID 16, 0, or config file errors only then follow this fix <\/strong><\/p>\n

      1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
      \n2. Go to: C:\\ProgramData\\RivetNetworks\\Killer<\/p>\n

      (If you can\u2019t find ProgramData, click View > Options > check “Show hidden files<\/a> and folders”.)<\/p>\n

      3. You will see a folder called ActivityLog and files: rn.stg, oem.xml, user.xml.<\/p>\n

      Case A: Files are missing<\/strong><\/p>\n

      1. Delete all the files in the Killer folder
      \n2. Restart your computer and the service will auto start at startup.<\/p>\n

      Case B: Fixing corrupted files <\/strong><\/p>\n

      1. Copy the folder and paste it on the Desktop.
      \n2. Delete all the files in: C:\\ProgramData\\RivetNetworks\\Killer\\ConfigurationFiles
      \n3. Do not delete the ActivityLog folder.
      \n4. Restart your computer to rebuild corrupted files.<\/p>\n

      Once the system restarts, check if the service is running.<\/p>\n

      1. Press Windows + R and type Services.msc
      \n2. Look for Killer Network Service and check the Status column. It should be “Running.”
      \n3. If it isn’t, fix dependencies and update drivers.<\/p>\n

      Step 4: Re-Enable the Service & Fix Dependencies<\/h3>\n

      If you see dependency service errors in Event Viewer follow these steps:<\/p>\n

      1. Press Windows + R and type Services.msc.
      \n2. Look for Killer Network Service. <\/strong>Right-click and select Properties<\/strong>.
      \n3. Set Startup type<\/strong> to “Automatic” and click Start.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      In case you get the 1068 error follow these steps: <\/strong><\/p>\n

      1. Click the Dependencies<\/strong> tab to know which services Killer needs to run. Usually they are:<\/p>\n