Start-Service

Use Start-Service to start a stopped Windows service by name or display name.

Command 1 min read Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7

Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Start-Service

Written and tested by Dhrub Bharali · Updated 02 October 2026

Syntax

1PS> Start-Service [-Name] <String[]> [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

2PS> Start-Service -DisplayName <String[]> [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

3PS> Start-Service [-InputObject] <ServiceController[]> [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

See the command anatomy

Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.

Start-Service [-Name] <String[]> [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Stage 1Start-Service-Name -PassThru -WhatIf -Confirm

Try it

Windows PowerShell

PowerShell example · browser support is limited.

Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.

Command

Interactive simulation · fictional data

Examples

Start with Start-Service

1PS> Start-Service Spooler

Show reference output

Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

(No output — Start-Service is silent on success. Add -PassThru to see the service.)

Start-Service -PassThru

1PS> Start-Service Spooler -PassThru

Show reference output

Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing

Status Name    DisplayName
------ ----    -----------
Running Spooler Print Spooler

Parameters

Parameter definitions:

-Name
-PassThru
-WhatIf
-Confirm

Start-Service on Microsoft Learn

Practical use and troubleshooting

Practical scenario: Use Start-Service when you need to start a stopped Windows service by name or display name. Review syntax and sample output, then try an example in the browser lab. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.

Common error and fix: A disabled service cannot be started until its startup configuration is changed by an authorised administrator. Check StartType and dependencies; do not change configuration merely to make a test pass. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.

See also: Stop-Service. Start-Service requests that a service start; Stop-Service requests that it stop. The request is separate from the service actually reaching its final state. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.

Start-Service reference on Microsoft Learn

Recap

Start-Service Use Start-Service to start a stopped Windows service by name or display name.

Next: Get-Service