Forum Discussion

mitchn99's avatar
mitchn99
Copper Contributor
Mar 22, 2026

Wifi not working after deleting capability access manager db

is there someone here with some computer windows know how - I was having a problem with the capability accessmanager database consuming all my hard drive space and so every bit of advice I found onli...
accessibility
Application Management
cd-rom777's avatar
cd-rom777
Copper Contributor
Apr 03, 2026

We deleted the CapabilityAccessManager db-wal file in Safe Mode, as recommended by other forums. After that, the system could not detect any Wi-Fi networks. We attempted multiple fixes, including uninstalling the NIC and drivers, running the Windows troubleshooter, and resetting the network adapter.

We also saw that the Settings app would crash when navigating to Settings > System > Power, though it was unclear if this was related.

To resolve the issue, we used Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update. After installing the repair version of 25H2, both Wi-Fi and the Settings app were functioning normally again.

dragonmago's avatar
dragonmago
Copper Contributor
May 08, 2026

Hello everyone:

 

I did the same procedure (you might be referring to a post in learn.microsoft.com on this subject

 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5815087/capabilityaccessmanager-is-devouring-my-hard-drive

 

My experience suggested me that in order for the process to restart and rebuild the files, the permissions and ownership that step 4 of the post redefined with ICACLS

 

icacls "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\CapabilityAccessManager" /grant administrators:F /t

 

 had to be restored to their previous status, which I accomplished by resetting the permisions to default

 

icacls "C:\Path\To\Folder" /reset /T /C

 

Once I accomplished this, I opened the services with Win+R and typed "services.msc", made sure that the CapabilityAccessManager service was up and running (or made sure to start it by right clicking on it and starting).

 

ONLY IF the service started successfully I would restart the computer normally and complete the solution.

 

If you see in services.msc that CapabilityAccessManager is down and won't start, and you performed a file delete procedure such as the one in the link, it's very possible that by restoring the original permissions to the folder you'll get the service back and you'll see your wi-fi networks after a reset.

  • BlessedBoy's avatar
    BlessedBoy
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 02, 2026

    I was troubleshooting a similar issue where the CapabilityAccessManager (camsvc) was failing to initialize. I had previously manually altered the directory ownership to force-delete some bloated files and reclaim C drive space. I didn't realize at the time that stripping those default Access Control Lists (ACLs) would completely break the service and cascade into a total loss of Wi-Fi functionality.

    The root cause was exactly what you pointed out broken permissions on that specific ProgramData directory. Because the service account lacked the necessary rights to access or rebuild its database, it simply hung on startup.

    Running your 

    icacls "C:\Path\To\Folder" /reset /T /C


    command immediately pushed the inherited permissions back down the directory tree. Once the DACLs were restored, the service started up perfectly via services.msc, and my network adapters initialized without a hitch. Thanks for documenting this.

    You saved me from a completely unnecessary OS reinstall.

  • SPISolucionesSAS's avatar
    SPISolucionesSAS
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 24, 2026

    This is the real solution for this problem!  Thank you!  You bring life to my pc again... i'm so gratefull because of this solution.   Many days without wifi, only using USB to connect to my phone until y found your suggestions.

    I deleted a file that make my disc C runt out of space, i follow some steps that found on internet and after that CapabilityAccessManager service related does not start again.  I asked to Claude and suggest to ask for a experienced computer technician.  :(  

     

    The real problem was the permissions on folders that have been modified to delete the problematic file, after follow your steps, everything run normally... service start again and my pc is working awesome.

    Thanks for sharing! 

  • mommyrau's avatar
    mommyrau
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 07, 2026

    Hello! I'm having the same problem. The Internet guided me to delete the .db-wal file and I successfully did it. Now can you please give me step by step instructions to complete getting my wifi back? I don't understand how to do the icacls you have listed. Can you help?

  • Riksos's avatar
    Riksos
    Copper Contributor
    May 22, 2026

    THANK YOU, THIS WORKED IN MAY 2026

    Noticed my hard drive was full despite being...well, fairly empty. Had to download WinDirStat to find out I had an 85 GIGABYTE COMPATABILITY ACCESS MANAGER .wal file. Did some research, couldn't delete it. Had to follow the guide you linked to change permissions and delete the .wal file.

    Well, when I restarted this meant my computer wasn't locating any wifi networks. Ran a network reset, uninstalled and reinstalled the network card, nothing worked.

    Turned out your solution did.

    My understanding is that in order to delete the SUPER BLOATED compatibility access manager file, I needed to switch permissions for the file from my system to my user. Once it was deleted, permission needed to be changed back to the system so the compatibility access manager could resume doing what it needed to for the wifi to function, which is what your fix did. THANK YOU! Thought I deleted some integral system file and permanently disabled my wifi by accident!

  • ztraughber's avatar
    ztraughber
    Copper Contributor
    May 18, 2026

    This is the only real fix on here

  • Afzal786's avatar
    Afzal786
    Copper Contributor
    May 14, 2026

    This worked for me 

    icacls "C:\Path\To\Folder" /reset /T /C

    Thanks