WMI repository on this computer is broken! What does that mean, and how do I fix it?

SQL DATA LENS may display a message such as the following during activation:

If you’re getting that error this means that part of the operating system is broken. This is usually caused by partial (and failed) driver installation and/or “cleaner utilities”. The good news is that these errors can be fixed.

Do each of the following steps:

  1. Update all of your network adapter drivers. If you don’t know how, google for generic instructions.
  2. Remove all anti-virus software except Microsoft’s Defender anti-virus.
  3. Remove any “cleaner” utilities. They are often poorly written and do more harm than good. The built in “Disk Cleanup” utility does everything (and more) compared to the adware and malware infested alternatives.
  4. Next, open a command prompt with Administrative privileges. Like so:
    1. Click the “Start button”
    2. Type “cmd”
    3. Right click “Command Prompt” and click “Run as administrator”:Run cmd as adminA “User Account Control” window will ask you if you want to proceed. Click “Yes”.
    4. Now you should have a command prompt window that, in the title bar” says “Administrator: Command Prompt”:cmd as admin
  5. Type the following commands (lines) one after another:
    cd C:\Windows\System32\wbem mofcomp
    C:\Windows\System32\wbem\NetAdapterCim.mof mofcomp
    C:\Windows\System32\wbem\en-US\NetAdapterCim.mfl
    The first command navigates to the directory where the files need to be fixed. The next 2 commands attempt to fix the necessary broken files.

Now open a PowerShell command prompt (which is different than a “cmd” prompt), and run the following command:

Get-WMIObject MSFT_NetAdapter -Namespace root\StandardCimv2

If you’re on Windows 8.x, 10, or 11 (or equivalent Windows Server version 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, etc.), you should get a full list of your network adapters whether they’re connected to the internet or not. If you’re on those Windows versions, and that PowerShell command gives you an error, then you still have WMI corruption. Contact your system admin and tell them to fix it. Or re-install Windows for the easiest fix.