Getting Error - Failed to start the Marketing Automation Engine service - While installing Sitecore 9.2 via SIA

Question

I am getting the error "Failed to start the Marketing Automation Engine service" - While installing Sitecore 9.2 on my local machine via Sitecore Install Assistant (SIA). I have installed SOLR 7.5 and it is running perfectly fine. I also have installed all the prerequisite by SIA itself.

Below is the screenshot attached for reference :-

I have checked the logs and found different error on different time stamp.

[Error] Error initializing XConnect client.
System.AggregateException: One or more errors occurred. ---> Sitecore.XConnect.XdbCollectionUnavailableException: The HTTP response was not successful: Forbidden
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.WebApi.ConfigurationWebApiClient.<Refresh>d__6.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.XConnectClientConfiguration.<InitializeAsync>d__32.MoveNext()

[Error] Failed to start the Marketing Automation Engine service.
System.InvalidOperationException: This configuration has not been initialized. Please call the initialize method before using it.
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.XConnectClientConfiguration.CheckInitialized()
   at Sitecore.XConnect.Client.XConnectClientConfiguration.get_CurrentModel()
   at Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection.ServiceLookup.CallSiteRuntimeResolver.VisitScoped(ScopedCallSite scopedCallSite, ServiceProviderEngineScope scope)
   at Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection.ServiceLookup.DynamicServiceProviderEngine.<>c__DisplayClass1_0.<RealizeService>b__0(ServiceProviderEngineScope scope)

I have tried to start service manually but again getting below shown error :-

Getting few error in event viewer as well as shown below :-

Earlier I was able to install Sitecore 9.2 with the same steps which I have followed. But this time I have been stuck at this error. I have tried clearing the incomplete instance of Sitecore 9.2 once and the reinstalling again after restarting my laptop but no luck so far.

Did any one faced this issue or have any idea about this issue?

Answer 1

I had a similar issue when installing. I followed the below steps before installing or running the setup exe.

Check for any non-self-signed certificates, execute below PowerShell script to find out:

Get-Childitem cert:\LocalMachine\root -Recurse | Where-Object {$_.Issuer -ne $_.Subject}

If you found any result item from the above PowerShell script then execute the below PowerShell command to move these non-self-signed certificates into the Intermediate Certification Authorities store :

Get-Childitem cert:\LocalMachine\root -Recurse | Where-Object {$_.Issuer -ne $_.Subject} | Move-Item -Destination Cert:\LocalMachine\CA

After doing this, close the PowerShell window and reopen to execute your Sitecore installation script.

Answer 2

For me it worked after moving sc92.xconnect.dev.local certificate from Personal to Trusted Root.

When I executed maengine.exe (inside ...xconnect.dev.local\App_Data\jobs\continuous\AutomationEngine), it shows "certificate was not found". I checked its there in Personal/certificate folder and Intermediate folder.

But when I ran below script, I found sc92.xconnect.dev.local certificate is not in the list.

Get-Childitem cert:\LocalMachine\root -Recurse

Just copied sc92.xconnect.dev.local to Trusted Root in local machine store. and tried running SIA again. It worked like a charm.

Answer 3

Make sure ASP.NET 4.7 is enabled for development in IIS server in Windows features. All the below highlighted features should be checked.

For more details, you can check out this post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sitecore-93-local-installation-raman-gupta/

Answer 4

We had similar issues installing Sitecore 9.2 XP on local machine running 2016. The only solution that worked for us is updating the user permission on inetpub folder.

Steps we followed to fix the issue

1. Removed all the databases from SQL server for the instance created
2. Delete the folders created in inetpub folder
3. removed all the services (by stopping some of the background services running)
4. Update the permissions on inetpub folder to give full control for all users (this is temp step, please revert it back once installation is successful)
5. Install Sitecore 9.2 again

This should install without any issues.

Make sure you change the permissions after installation is done.

Answer 5

Another reason that can cause the error in starting the Marketing service is the Sitecore License expiration. We were facing that issue, after using a valid license it worked fine. You can verify this in the IIS folder xconnect\App_Data\jobs\continuous\AutomationEngine\App_Data\license.xml

Answer 6

Sometimes, if you have tried the installation script more than once, you can have some undesired behavior. Like some said before, you are possibly trying to go forward with the wrong certificates. Also, some of these services were actually created on previous installation attempts.

Here is what I think should help you get through.

Clean your workspace

• Remove your databases that are related to the installation if exists.
• Remove your certificates (using certlm -> you can type in your windows search bar "cert" and then you should be able to pick "Manage computer Certificate".
  • On the left sidebar, Click on Personal > Certificates.
    • Remove your installation-related certificates
      • nameOfYourInstallation.identityserver
      • nameOfYourInstallation.sc
      • nameOfYourInstallation.xconnect
• Open your Windows Services Manager (you can type in your windows search bar "services" and select the services app)
  • You should be able to see those services :
    • Sitecore Marketing Automation Engine - nameOfYourInstallation(might be one of your previous install)
    • Sitecore Processing Engine - nameOfYourInstallation
    • Sitecore XConnect Search Indexer - nameOfYourInstallation.
      • Write those down. Keep your service app open.
  • Using NSSM (probably installed already from some of your previous installed, if not, can use chocolatey ( https://chocolatey.org/packages/NSSM ) remove those services.
  • in a cmd : nssm remove serviceName
    • Note that you can remove them by right clicking etc. I just prefer the nssm way.
• When its done, restart your computer (some services and in a state of removal, that needs a restart to be completely removed)
• Try to install with SIA again.

Answer 7

I faced a similer issue, to resolve it I performed the below steps:

1. Execute MMC command into the Run windows and open Microsoft Management Console.
2. Select Add or Remove Snap-in option from the File Menu.
3. Select Certificate Snap-in from the left panel and click on Add Button. In the next window go with the Computer Account option and click on the Next button.
4. You will get a list of all certificates. Find the name of the certificate with your Sitecore instance and remove all the certificates.
5. Remove all the databases of your Sitecore instance from SQL Server.
6. Remove SC instance and Application Pools from the IIS.
7. Delete your SC instance folder created into the inetpub directory.
8. Remove all your Services of your SC instance.
9. Install the Sitecore instance again and it will work without any issue.

See the blog post for more reference: Sitecore Installation Error: Failed to Start Service 'Sitecore Marketing Automation Engine'

Answer 8

I had a similar issue when installing. And in my case error occurred due to Marketing Automation Engine service of previously installed Sitecore instance was failing to start. Installation succeeded after fixing the existing service.