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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...
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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.

  • 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