Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
“NT AUTHORITYLocalService cannot be found” is not one specific Windows error code. It means the component doing an account lookup or authorization check could not resolve, access, or correctly name the built-in LocalService identity. The safest fix is to identify whether the failure is in a Windows service installation, a service start, a SQL Server login, or an application connection, then use the invariant account name NT AUTHORITYLocalService where the Service Control Manager API expects it. Do not create a replacement user or grant administrators’ rights simply to hide the message.
What does “NT AUTHORITYLocalService cannot be found” mean?
LocalService is a predefined Windows service account managed by the Service Control Manager (SCM), not an ordinary local user that you should recreate. Microsoft describes it as “a predefined local account used by the service control manager.” It runs with minimum local privileges and presents anonymous credentials to remote systems.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
When Windows starts a service, the SCM loads the configured account, logs that account on, and attaches an access token to the service process. A wrong account name, an unavailable security principal, a missing right, or a lookup performed in the wrong context can stop that sequence. The same wording can therefore appear during an installer run, a service configuration change, a SQL Server security operation, or an application connection.
The title alone does not reveal which of those operations failed. Record the exact application, Windows edition and locale, SQL Server version and instance (if applicable), complete account string, and any numeric error code before changing permissions.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Why does the exact account spelling matter on a localized Windows server?
For service APIs, the accepted name is the English invariant string NT AUTHORITYLocalService, even when Windows displays a translated label. Calls to CreateService and ChangeServiceConfig must use that invariant form; a localized equivalent of “Local Service” can be displayed in a console yet still be rejected by the API.
Use the invariant name in installer fields, scripts, deployment definitions, and API calls. Treat the name shown in a localized graphical interface as a display label, not as proof of the string that an API accepts. This distinction is a common cause of failures on non-English servers and in Advanced Installer projects.
Which operation is actually failing?
Separate the four common situations before applying a fix. A service identity and a SQL Server database login are different objects, even if both contain the words “Local Service.”
| Where the message appears | What Windows or SQL Server is trying to do | First thing to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Service installation or installer | Create or reconfigure a Windows service account | Use NT AUTHORITYLocalService exactly and check the service’s rights and resource ACLs. |
| Service start | SCM logs on the configured identity and creates the process token | Inspect the service’s Log On configuration, required “Log on as a service” right, and permissions on files, folders, registry keys, and other resources. |
| SQL Server login or Visual Studio data-tier project | Resolve a Windows principal and create or map a SQL Server security object | Confirm the target instance can resolve the principal, then inspect Security > Logins and database User Mappings in SQL Server Management Studio. |
| Application connection or network task | Authenticate a process or resolve a computer or domain identity | Check the account context, domain membership, and DNS, WINS, HOSTS, or LMHOSTS conditions reported in the system logs. |
How do I diagnose the problem step by step?
Use this order so that a naming problem is not mistaken for a SQL permission problem, or vice versa.
- Capture the context. Write down the product or service name, Windows version and display language, SQL Server version and instance, the exact account string, and every numeric error code. Preserve the original wording from the installer or event log.
- Classify the failing action. Decide whether the error occurs while installing a service, starting one, changing its account, creating a SQL login, building a data-tier project, or connecting from an application. The remedy depends on this distinction.
- Check the invariant name. If a service API or installer is involved, replace a translated label with
NT AUTHORITYLocalService. Do not add spaces, change the slash, or substitute a localized display name. - Inspect service configuration. Review the service’s Log On tab and the permissions on every resource it must use. Confirm that the identity has the required “Log on as a service” right and that a security policy has not removed it.
- Use the correct SQL administration path. For the SQL Server Database Engine or SQL Server Agent, change startup accounts with SQL Server Configuration Manager. Microsoft specifically advises against changing those accounts from the generic Windows Services console.
- Check SQL security objects separately. In SQL Server Management Studio, look under Security > Logins for the Windows principal and inspect its database User Mappings. A login can exist without the required database user or permissions, and creating a login is not required for every service-account problem.
- Validate identity resolution. Third-party reports associate similar messages with a missing Windows login, duplicate security identifier, domain mismatch, or WINS/DNS/HOSTS/LMHOSTS resolution issue. Confirm the condition in the affected environment and its logs before changing group membership or access control.
- Retest with least privilege. After correcting the name or mapping, retry the original operation. Grant only the rights the service needs; Microsoft recommends the lowest possible rights and favors managed, group-managed, or virtual accounts where they fit the deployment.
How do I fix a Windows service or installer that cannot find LocalService?
Give the Service Control Manager the invariant account name and then verify rights independently. The account is built in, so creating an interactive user called “LocalService” is not a repair.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Use the invariant service account name
Set the account field passed to the installer or to CreateService/ChangeServiceConfig to NT AUTHORITYLocalService. This remains the required API spelling on localized Windows. If the installer has separate user-name and password fields, select the predefined LocalService option when available or enter the invariant name; do not invent a password for the built-in identity.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsVerify logon and resource permissions
After the name is accepted, confirm the service has the “Log on as a service” user right and access to its executable, configuration files, data directories, registry keys, certificates, named pipes, and other dependencies. A successful account lookup does not grant those resource permissions automatically. Remove stale or translated account entries from ACLs and add the correct principal only where the service needs access.
Check the service’s configured identity after installation
If installation succeeds but startup fails, inspect the service’s Log On setting again. An installer may have written a different name than the one shown in its wizard, or a security policy may have changed the right after deployment. Correct the configuration, restart the service, and use the resulting event-log error rather than the original installer message to guide the next check.
How do I fix the SQL Server or Visual Studio version of the error?
First decide whether the application needs a SQL Server database principal for LocalService or whether someone is incorrectly trying to use LocalService as the SQL Server service startup account. These are separate configurations.
Create a database login only when the application needs one
If a Windows process really connects to SQL Server as LocalService, create the Windows login and map it to a database user on the target instance. The basic pattern is:
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
CREATE LOGIN [NT AUTHORITYLOCAL SERVICE] FROM WINDOWS;
CREATE USER [NT AUTHORITYLOCAL SERVICE] FOR LOGIN [NT AUTHORITYLOCAL SERVICE];Run this only after confirming that the instance resolves the Windows principal and that the application is supposed to use it. Grant the database permissions required by the application, no more. In SQL Server Management Studio, verify the login under Security > Logins and its database mappings rather than assuming that a successful CREATE LOGIN also grants access to tables or procedures.
Do not use LocalService as a Database Engine or Agent startup account
LocalService is a built-in service identity, but the troubleshooting guidance for this error does not support it as the startup account for the SQL Server Database Engine or SQL Server Agent. Those services need their own supported startup-account configuration. Microsoft’s SQL Server guidance says to use SQL Server Configuration Manager whenever changing the account used by either service.
Use SQL Server Configuration Manager for service-account changes
Open SQL Server Configuration Manager, select the relevant SQL Server service, and change its account through the service properties there. The tool applies SQL Server-specific permissions and settings that the generic Services applet does not manage. Restart the service when prompted, then test the instance and the application connection separately.
Resolve the principal before troubleshooting permissions
A Visual Studio data-tier build or deployment can fail before SQL permission evaluation if the target machine cannot resolve the Windows identity. Check the exact instance, domain or local computer context, and spelling first. Only after resolution succeeds should you investigate login existence, user mapping, role membership, or object permissions.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What should I do on an Advanced Installer project or localized server?
Replace the translated account label in the project with NT AUTHORITYLocalService, then rebuild or redeploy the service definition. The security subsystem may continue to display a localized name after installation; that is normal and does not change the invariant API value.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Test the package on the same Windows language and edition as the affected machine. Confirm that the service is created with the intended identity, that “Log on as a service” is present, and that the executable and data paths have the required ACLs. If the package still fails, capture the installer’s numeric error and the SCM event rather than repeatedly changing the account text.
Should I add LocalService to the Administrators group?
No. Adding a built-in service identity to Administrators is not a general fix for an account-resolution error and increases the impact of a compromised service. Microsoft recommends the lowest possible rights, so correct the name, service right, ACL, or SQL mapping that is actually missing.
A Microsoft Q&A thread records one user reporting that adding NT AuthorityLocal Service to the local Administrators group, resetting Winsock, and rebooting restored DHCP access. That is an anecdotal, context-specific network report, not evidence that administrator membership repairs SQL Server, installer, or service-name lookup failures. Treat such a step as a last-resort investigation under change control, not as a standard procedure.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHow does LocalService compare with NetworkService and LocalSystem?
The choice affects both local damage potential and the credentials a service presents over the network. Use the least-privileged identity that satisfies the service’s actual requirements.
| Account | Local privilege level | Network credentials | Operational implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| LocalService | Minimum local privileges | Presents anonymous credentials | Good fit when the service needs limited local access and no authenticated computer identity on remote systems. |
| NetworkService | More local privilege than LocalService, but below LocalSystem | Presents the computer account | Useful when a service must authenticate to network resources as the machine. |
| LocalSystem | Highly privileged local identity | Acts as the computer on the network | Largest blast radius if the service is compromised; use only when its requirements justify the risk. |
These names also follow Windows’ invariant service-account handling. A localized display label does not change the account string expected by service APIs. For SQL Server services, select a supported account and configure it through SQL Server Configuration Manager rather than choosing solely by convenience.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Recreating the account: LocalService is predefined; a similarly named user is a different security principal.
- Using the translated label: Service APIs require
NT AUTHORITYLocalService, regardless of display language. - Confusing a login with a startup account: A SQL Server login grants database identity; it does not configure how the Database Engine starts.
- Changing SQL accounts in Services: Use SQL Server Configuration Manager so SQL-specific rights and settings are handled correctly.
- Granting broad rights first: Administrator or sysadmin membership can mask the missing ACL or mapping while creating unnecessary exposure.
- Ignoring name-resolution failures: Domain, DNS, WINS, HOSTS, LMHOSTS, duplicate-SID, and instance-context problems can produce similar symptoms and require environment-specific validation.
What should I record if the error remains?
Keep the exact account string, localized display name, Windows and SQL Server versions, instance name, installer or application name, numeric error code, SCM or SQL error text, and the step that triggered the failure. Also note whether the account can be resolved on the machine, whether the service has “Log on as a service,” and whether the failure occurs before or after SQL login creation. Those details distinguish a naming defect from a permission, domain, or service-configuration problem and make escalation reproducible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Local Service” the same account as “LocalService”?
Yes. Windows may show a localized or spaced display label, but service APIs use the invariant identity name NT AUTHORITYLocalService. A display-label translation does not create a separate account.
Can I fix this by creating a local user named LocalService?
No. A newly created user has a different security identifier and does not replace the predefined service identity. Correct the configured principal and its rights instead.
Why can a SQL login exist while the Windows service still will not start?
A SQL login is a database security object, while service startup is performed by the Service Control Manager. The service can fail its account lookup or logon before SQL Server ever evaluates that login.
Does giving LocalService administrator rights permanently solve the problem?
Not reliably. Administrator membership may hide one missing permission while increasing the service’s compromise impact; account spelling, service rights, resource ACLs, and SQL configuration should be corrected directly.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
