PowerShell Start-Service: Complete Guide to Starting Windows Services

Overview

The Start-Service cmdlet starts stopped Windows services on local or remote computers. Use it for service management automation and recovery procedures.

Common Tasks:

• Start stopped services
• Start services on remote computers
• Start dependent services automatically
• Automate service startup procedures
• Troubleshoot service issues

Prerequisites:

• PowerShell 5.1 or later
• Administrator privileges required
• Network access for remote servers

---

Syntax

Start-Service [-Name] <string> [-NoWait] [-PassThru] [-ComputerName <string[]>]
```powershell

### Key Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `-Name` | String | Service name to start |
| `-NoWait` | Switch | Don't wait for service to start |
| `-PassThru` | Switch | Return service object |
| `-ComputerName` | String[] | Start on remote computer |

---

## Examples

### Example 1: Start Service by Name

```powershell
Start-Service -Name "Spooler"
```powershell

### Example 2: Start Multiple Services

```powershell
"Spooler", "BITS" | Start-Service
```powershell

### Example 3: Start Service on Remote Computer

```powershell
Start-Service -Name "Spooler" -ComputerName "server01"
```powershell

### Example 4: Start Service and Wait

```powershell
Start-Service -Name "Spooler" | Wait-Process
```powershell

### Example 5: Start with Confirmation

```powershell
$service = Get-Service -Name "Spooler"
if ($service.Status -eq "Stopped") {
    Start-Service -Name "Spooler" -PassThru
}
```powershell

---

## Error Handling

### Handle Already Running Service
```powershell
try {
    Start-Service -Name "Spooler" -ErrorAction Stop
}
catch {
    Write-Host "Error starting service: $_"
}
```powershell

### Start Only if Stopped
```powershell
$service = Get-Service -Name "ServiceName"
if ($service.Status -eq "Stopped") {
    Start-Service -Name $service.Name
}
```powershell

---

## Best Practices

✅ **Check service status first** - Don't start already running services
✅ **Handle errors** - Use try-catch for production
✅ **Use automation** - Script repetitive startup tasks
✅ **Document dependencies** - Understand required startup order

### Related Commands
- **[Stop-Service](/powershell-stop-service)** - Stop services
- **[Restart-Service](/powershell-restart-service)** - Restart services
- **[Get-Service](/powershell-get-service)** - Query services

---

## See Also

- **[Get-Service](/powershell-get-service)** - Query services
- **[Stop-Service](/powershell-stop-service)** - Stop services
- **Complete PowerShell Guide** - PowerShell overview

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**Last Updated:** February 6, 2026
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Reading Time:** 8 minutes