Exchange Service Error 1068: IT Administrator’s Guide for 2026

What is the Exchange Service 1068 Error?

Error 1068: Exchange Service is a Windows service dependency error. It means the Exchange service you are trying to start depends on another Windows service that is currently stopped, disabled, or unable to start. Instead of starting normally, Windows displays:

• Windows could not start the service.
• Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start.
• Until the missing dependency is restored, the Exchange service will remain unavailable.

Common Symptoms of Exchange Server Error 1068

• Microsoft Exchange services fail to start.
• Outlook cannot connect to Exchange.
• Users cannot send or receive emails.
• Exchange Admin Center becomes inaccessible.
• Event Viewer records multiple service-related errors.
• Exchange Health Checker reports failed services.

Possible Solutions to Fix Exchange Service Error 1068

If you’re seeing Exchange Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start, don’t panic. In most cases, the issue can be resolved by checking Windows services, Exchange health, or server resources. Follow the solutions below one by one until the problem is fixed.

1st Solution: Check and Start the Required Exchange Services

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Locate the Exchange services that are stopped.
• Right-click each service and select Properties.
• Set the Startup Type to Automatic.
• Click Start if the service is not running.
• Restart the server and verify whether the issue is resolved.

2nd Solution: Check the Dependent Services

• First, open Services (services.msc) and right-click the Exchange service that is failing.
• Now, select Properties and open the Dependencies tab.
• Check whether all the listed services are running.

3rd Solution: Review the Event Viewer Logs

• Press Windows + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter.
• Go to Windows Logs > System.
• Look for recent Error or Warning events related to Exchange or the Service Control Manager.
• Open the event details to identify which service failed.

4th Solution: Check the Health of Your Exchange Server

• Open the Exchange Management Shell and run:
• Get-ServerHealth -Identity <ServerName> | Format-Table Server,CurrentHealthSetState,Name,HealthSetName,AlertValue,HealthGroupName -Auto
• Replace <ServerName> with the name of your Exchange Server.
• The command displays the health status of Exchange services and highlights any components reporting errors or warnings.

5th Solution: Verify Server Resources

• Low system resources can also prevent Exchange services from starting.
• Check the following: Available CPU usage, Free RAM, Disk space on the system drive, Free space on Exchange database and log drives.
• If the server is running low on resources, free up disk space, stop unnecessary applications, or increase available storage before trying to start the Exchange services again.

6th Solution: Review Recent Changes on the Server

• If the error appeared recently, think about what changed before the problem started.
• Check for: Windows Updates, Exchange Updates, Newly installed software, Antivirus changes, Security policies, Firewall modifications, and Configuration changes made by administrators.

7th Solution: Rebuild the Exchange Server (Last Option)

You can then reinstall Exchange using Recovery Mode to restore the server while preserving its configuration.

Note: Rebuilding an Exchange Server should only be considered after all other troubleshooting methods have failed. If you’re managing a production environment, it’s recommended to perform this task during a maintenance window or with assistance from an experienced Exchange administrator.

Backup Your Exchange Server Data Before Troubleshooting

The DRS Softech Exchange Server Backup Tool is a quick, reliable, and hassle-free solution. It allows users to backup your emails, contacts, calendars, and attachments with no data loss. This tool preserves the original email formatting, structure, and metadata during the entire process. Offer several features, like Remove Duplicates, Date Filter, Custom Folder Name, Skip Existing Exports, and more. The demo version of this tool is available to test its features and functions.

Simple Steps to Backup Exchange Emails and Data

1. Download and install the Exchange Server Backup & Restore Tool. Click Backup and Continue.
2. Use Modern Authentication/Admin Impersonation or Client Secret ID to Sign In.
3. Select Backup option (Primary, Online Archive, Public Folder). Tick the Source User ID to backup. Press Next.
4. Preview and select the emails, contacts, calendars, and attachments to backup. 
5. Choose Saving Format as per your needs (File Formats or Email Clients).
6. In the end, apply features and filters, such as Date Filter, Fast Mode, and more. Press Backup.

Conclusion

Exchange Service Error 1068 is mainly caused by failed or stopped dependency services in Windows. In most cases, the issue can be resolved by using different manual methods. It includes checking and starting the Exchange service, checking the dependent service, verifying server sources, and more. Also, take a backup of your important emails with the help of the DRS Softech Exchange Server Backup Tool. You can download the demo version of this tool to understand its features and performance.

Frequently Askes Questions