The “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window is an essential tool in Windows that allows users to enable or disable various features of the operating system. However, sometimes, when users open this window, they may see the “Please wait…” message (Windows 11) or a blank screen (Windows 10) without any features displayed.
This issue can be frustrating, especially when you are in a rush to enable or disable certain features. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to fix the “Please wait…” issue in Windows Features and get the applet working again.
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How to fix Windows Features showing “Please wait” or blank issue
There are several methods to fix the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” showing “Please wait” or appearing blank issue in Windows 11 or Windows 10. We recommend starting with the first solution and working your way down the list until the issue is resolved.
Useful tip: 30+ Windows 11 services you can disable for better gaming performance
Wait it out
Before trying any troubleshooting steps, it’s worth waiting for a few minutes to see if the window is just taking longer than usual to load the features. In some cases, it may take 5-10 minutes for the window to display the features, and the “Please wait…” message may not indicate a problem. This is especially true if you have a slower computer. So, it’s recommended to leave the window open and come back later to see if the features appear.
Run System File Check
System File Check (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans for corrupted system files and repairs them. When you run SFC, it checks all protected system files and replaces the incorrect or corrupt versions with the correct Microsoft versions. Running SFC can help fix the “Please wait…” issue in Windows Features by repairing any corrupted system files that may be preventing the feature list from displaying.
To run SFC in Windows 11 or 10, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “
sfc /scannow” and press Enter. - Wait for the process to complete.
- Restart your computer.
After the scan completes, SFC will display a message indicating if it found any problems or not. If it found any problems, it will try to fix them automatically. After the process completes, restart your computer and check if the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window is displaying the features correctly.
It’s worth noting that SFC may take some time to complete, especially if you have a large number of corrupted files. In some cases, SFC may not be able to fix all the corrupted files, and you may need to try other methods to fix the issue.
Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is another built-in Windows tool that can fix system corruption issues. DISM can repair system files, restore corrupted files from the Windows image, and repair damaged system files. Running DISM can help fix the “Turn Windows Features on or off please wait” issue in Windows Features by repairing any corrupted system files that may be preventing the feature list from displaying.
To run DISM in Windows 11/10, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth” and press Enter. - Wait for the process to complete.
- Type “
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” and press Enter.
- Wait for the process to complete.
- Restart your computer.
The first command, “dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth,” scans the Windows image for any corruption. If it finds any issues, it will report them to the user. The second command, “dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth“, uses the Windows image to repair any corrupted files.
DISM can take some time to complete, especially if you have a large number of corrupted files. Once the process completes, restart your computer and check if the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window is displaying the features correctly.
It’s worth noting that if DISM finds any issues during the scan or repair process, it may prompt you to insert the Windows installation media to repair the corrupted files.
Copy “optionalfeatures.exe” from another computer
In some cases, the “Turn Windows Features on or off please wait” issue may be caused by a corrupted “optionalfeatures.exe” file. If this is the case, you can try copying the file from another computer running the same version and build of Windows and paste it into “C:\Windows\System32” on the affected computer. This method can help fix the issue by replacing the corrupted or missing file with a working version.
To copy the file, follow these steps:
- On the working computer, navigate to “C:\Windows\System32.”
- Copy the “optionalfeatures.exe” file to a USB drive or other external storage.
- Paste the file into “C:\Windows\System32” on the affected computer.
- Restart your computer.
It’s worth noting that the “optionalfeatures.exe” file may not be the only cause of the issue, and copying it from another computer may not always work. Additionally, it’s essential to make sure that the file is from a trusted source to avoid any security issues.
Check if Windows Modules Installer service is running
Windows Modules Installer is a Windows service that is responsible for installing, modifying, and removing Windows updates and optional components. If this service is not running, it can prevent the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window from displaying the features and result in a blank window or the “please wait” message. To fix the issue, you need to check if the service is running and start it if it’s not.
To check if the service is running, follow these steps:
- Go to the Start menu and search for “Services.msc“.
- Select “Services” from the search result to open it.
- Locate the “Windows Modules Installer” service and check if its status is “Running.”
- If the service is not running, right-click on it and select “Start.”
- Restart your computer.
After the computer restarts, check if the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window is displaying the features correctly. If the window is still not working, you may need to try other methods to fix the issue.
It’s worth noting that if the service is set to “Manual” or “Disabled,” it may not start automatically. In such cases, you’ll need to set the service to “Automatic” to ensure that it starts automatically whenever you start your computer. To do this, right-click on the service, select “Properties,” and set the “Startup type” to “Automatic.”
Try to temporarily disable your antivirus software
Sometimes, antivirus software may interfere with the proper functioning of Windows Features, causing the “Please wait…” issue or a blank window. Antivirus software may block certain optional features or components, preventing them from being listed, which can cause the issue.
To fix the issue, you can try temporarily disabling your antivirus software and check if the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window is displaying the features correctly. Here are the general steps to disable antivirus software temporarily:
- Locate the antivirus software icon in the system tray on the taskbar.
- Right-click on the icon and select “Disable” or “Turn off” from the context menu.
- If prompted, choose the option to disable the software temporarily.
- Try opening the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” window and check if the features are displaying correctly.
- Once you’ve checked, enable your antivirus software again.
It’s worth noting that disabling your antivirus software can leave your computer vulnerable to malware and other threats. It’s recommended to enable the software as soon as you’ve finished troubleshooting.
Run Windows Update
In some cases, the “Please wait…” issue or a blank window in the “Turn Windows Features on or off” window may be caused by missing updates or outdated system files (e.g., missing optional features). Running Windows Update can help ensure that your computer has the latest updates and patches, which can help fix the issue.
To run Windows Update, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + i on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
- Click on “Windows Update” from the left pane.
- Click on “Check for updates.”
- If updates are available, download and install them.
- Restart your computer.
It’s worth noting that if your computer has been offline for an extended period, you may need to perform multiple update checks to ensure that you’ve installed all available updates.
Reset or Reinstall Windows 11 or 10
If none of the previous solutions have worked, and if the optional feature(s) you want to enable is absolutely necessary, resetting or reinstalling your Windows may be the last resort to fix the issue.
Resetting Windows can help fix issues with system files, settings, and apps, and can help restore your computer to its original state. When resetting Windows, you have the option to keep your personal files, apps, and settings, or remove them entirely. It’s still a good idea to back up your data before proceeding, just in case.
If resetting Windows does not fix the issue, you may need to reinstall Windows. Reinstalling Windows involves erasing your hard drive and starting fresh with a clean install of Windows. Like resetting Windows, it’s essential to back up your data before proceeding.
It’s worth noting that resetting or reinstalling Windows should be considered as a last resort to fix the issue. Before proceeding with either method, it’s important to try all other solutions and seek professional help if necessary.
Final thoughts
It’s important to remember that while these solutions can be effective to solve the “Turn Windows Features on or off please wait” issue, they may not always work. In some cases, the issue may be caused by factors outside of your control, such as compatibility issues or conflicts with other software.
Additionally, if you’re unsure about any of the troubleshooting steps, especially those that involves entering commands that you may not be familiar with, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help. An experienced technician can help diagnose and fix the issue quickly and safely.
