If you get either of the errors 0x80004005 or 0x80070003, here is the solution. Aka, here is a possible fix for “A problem is preventing the troubleshooter from starting“.
Steps to verify & fix:
- Run “explorer” (Windows+E).
- Right click on “This PC“.
- Select “Properties“.
- Select “Advanced system settings“.
- Select “Environment Variables“.
At this point, you should be presented with the options to set the ‘user’ variables “TEMP” and “TMP“. (Double click or choose ‘Edit’)
This is where you need to point to an existing folder. (If the folders do not exist, go create them.)
Go back to explorer and verify that you can navigate to the folders specified in the variable. For example: on this computer, the user variable “TEMP” is pointing to “E:Temp“. (Your system may be different.)
You are now halfway done! Now, you also need to verify the other two system variables “TEMP” and “TMP” are pointing to existing folders. (Again, if the folders do not exist, go create them.)
Now, click on “OK” after all four variables are set. And “OK” again to close the “System Properties” dialog box.
Try your Windows “Troubleshooting Problems” again.. if all goes well it should work now.
Summary: Make sure all 4 of Windows “temp” environment variables are pointing to a valid (existing) folder.
Update: If the User TMP variable points to a drive marked as Removable it will cause the troubleshooter to fail.
