I am running:
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Version 10.0.18363 Build 18363
x64-based PC
AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor, 4000 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 32.0 GB
Norton version as of 8/11/2020.
For some time I have not been able to start "Windows Defender Firewall" service because "Base Filtering Engine" service would not start. I suspected (90%) that I had a virus or malware but couldn't determine what to do (or even try for that matter). So a couple of days ago I decided to get serious and fix the problem; unable to start "Base Filtering Engine".
First step was to find a Virus Protection Software package to find and fix the problem. I tried what some considered the top 5 Virus Protection Software packages. 4 of the packages didn't even recognize that the "Base Filtering Engine" had issues. Norton, on the other hand, recognized the problem, clearly communicated to issue, tried to fix it but couldn't.
The Norton Error was 5013,3 and sent me to this document:
DOCID: v67301753
Operating System: Windows
Last modified: 06/28/2020
The key items in this document (DOCID: v67301753 ) are:
STEP 1 Download and run Norton Power Eraser
STEP 2 Turn on Norton Product Tamper Protection
STEP 3 Enable the Base Filtering Engine service
Steps 1-3 did NOT work.
STEP 4 Download and run the fix tool (BaseFilterEngineFix.exe)
Step 4 appeared to work, I thought this wold do the job, but "Base Filtering Engine" would still not start.
Ste 4 did NOT work.
I contacted Norton support and the folks jumped on my system and tried to fix the "Base Filtering Engine", but couldn't and suggested I contact Microsoft for help (right). Norton Opened [Removed].
After reading a ton of information on the BFE issue, I checked the Registry on my Lap Top (Duh - why I didn't do this sooner escapes me).
So this is what I did:
RegEdit Opened: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BFE
Changed "ImagePath" from:
%systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork
Changed "ImagePath" to (from my laptop):
%systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetworkFirewall -p
For a "Path to Execute" of:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetworkFirewall -p
After I did this simple change "Base Filtering Engine" started as did the "Windows Defender Firewall".
I then proceeded to clean up my system, "sfc /scannow" failed so I ran "chkdsk /F /R", then these steps.
Ultimately, all these steps run successfully; not the first time but they did finally work.
Open: "Administrator Command Prompt"
or "PowerShell (Administrator)"
chkdsk /F /R (set and restart)
sfc /scannow
Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Execution 30+ minutes, depends on system config
Check Windows update status, and updated as necessary.
I hope this helps others with this or similar problems.
[Edit: Masked case ID to conform with the Participation Guidelines and Terms of Service]