How to Solve the wslregisterdistribution failed with error 0x80073cfc

If you're a Windows user who frequently uses the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you may have encountered the error "wslregisterdistribution failed with error 0x80073cfc". This error can be frustrating, as it prevents you from running Linux applications and commands in the Windows environment. In this blog post, we'll go over what causes this error and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.

What Causes the WSL Register Distribution Error?

The WSL Register Distribution Error (0x80073cfc) occurs when the registration of a Linux distribution in WSL fails. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:

• A corrupted installation of WSL or a particular distribution
• Outdated or corrupted Windows files
• An antivirus program blocking the WSL registration process
• An issue with the WSL service or file system permissions

How to Fix the WSL Register Distribution Error (0x80073cfc)

Here are some steps you can follow to fix the WSL Register Distribution Error on Windows 10:

Step 1: Run the Windows System File Checker (SFC)

The first step is to check for and repair any corrupted Windows files. To do this, you can run the Windows System File Checker (SFC) utility, which scans your system for corrupted files and repairs them automatically. Here's how to run SFC:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter
3. Wait for the scan to complete (this may take some time)
4. If any corrupted files are found, SFC will repair them automatically

Step 2: Run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool

If the SFC scan doesn't fix the WSL Register Distribution Error, you can also try running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool, which is another Windows utility that can repair system files. Here's how to run DISM:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Type the command dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and press Enter
3. Wait for the scan to complete (this may take some time)
4. If any corrupted files are found, DISM will attempt to repair them automatically

Step 3: Uninstall and Re-install the WSL Distribution

If the SFC and DISM scans don't fix the error, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the problematic WSL distribution. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Control Panel"
2. Click on "Programs" and then "Programs and Features"
3. Find the Linux distribution that's causing the error and click on "Uninstall"
4. Restart your computer
5. Open the Microsoft Store
6. Search for the same Linux distribution and click on "Get"
7. Wait for the installation to complete

Step 4: Temporarily Disable Antivirus Programs

If you have an antivirus program installed on your computer, it may be interfering with the WSL registration process. Try disabling your antivirus temporarily to see if that fixes the error. If it does, you can add an exception for WSL in your antivirus settings to prevent it from blocking the registration process in the future.

Step 5: Restart the WSL Service

If the WSL service is not running properly, it can cause the WSL Register Distribution Error. Here's how to restart the WSL service:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Type the command net stop LxssManager and press Enter
3. Type the command net start LxssManager and press Enter
4. Wait for the service to restart

Step 6: Check File System Permissions

If the file system permissions are not set correctly, it can cause the WSL Register Distribution Error. Here's how to check the file system permissions:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Type the command icacls %userprofile% and press Enter
3. Check that the output shows the correct file system permissions for your user profile folder
4. If the permissions are incorrect, you can reset them by typing the command icacls %userprofile% /reset /t /c /l and pressing Enter

Conclusion

The WSL Register Distribution Error (0x80073cfc) can be frustrating, but by following these steps, you should be able to fix it and get your Windows Subsystem for Linux up and running again. If none of these steps work, you may need to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a technical expert. Remember to always keep your system and WSL distributions up to date, and avoid making any system modifications unless you're sure about what you're doing.