nats-io/nats-server · error

could not access service: %v

Error message

could not access service: %v

What it means

Windows ProcessSignal: the Windows service manager (mgr.Connect succeeded) but OpenService failed for the named service (default 'nats-server'), so the service does not exist or the user lacks access. The underlying mgr error is appended; this is the Windows equivalent of a signal target not found.

Source

Thrown at server/signal_windows.go:66

}

// ProcessSignal sends the given signal command to the running nats-server service.
// If service is empty, this signals the "nats-server" service. This returns an
// error is the given service is not running or the command is invalid.
func ProcessSignal(command Command, service string) error {
	if service == "" {
		service = serviceName
	}

	m, err := mgr.Connect()
	if err != nil {
		return err
	}
	defer m.Disconnect()

	s, err := m.OpenService(service)
	if err != nil {
		return fmt.Errorf("could not access service: %v", err)
	}
	defer s.Close()

	var (
		cmd svc.Cmd
		to  svc.State
	)

	switch command {
	case CommandStop, CommandQuit:
		cmd = svc.Stop
		to = svc.Stopped
	case CommandReopen:
		cmd = reopenLogCmd
		to = svc.Running
	case CommandReload:
		cmd = svc.ParamChange
		to = svc.Running

View on GitHub (pinned to 3a66a489d2)

Solutions

1. Verify the service exists: sc query nats-server (or the name you passed)
2. Run the command from an elevated/authorized shell
3. Install the service first (nats-server --service install) or pass the correct service name

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at server/signal_windows.go:66 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of nats-io/nats-server@3a66a489d2 (2026-09-02). Data as JSON: /api/errors/5591a345ba377b65. Report an issue: GitHub.