Fix Reliability Monitor Not Working in Windows

If the Reliability Monitor in Windows is blank, stuck on “collecting data,” or not showing any events, the fix is usually to restart the diagnostic policy service, clear the reliability data store, or run the system file checker. This article explains why the monitor stops working and walks through the most effective fixes step by step.

What the Reliability Monitor Does

The Reliability Monitor is a built-in Windows tool that tracks system stability over time. It records critical events such as application crashes, Windows errors, driver failures, and unexpected shutdowns, and displays them on a timeline. It also shows a stability index from 1 to 10, where 10 is the most stable. The monitor is part of the Action Center (Windows 7) or the Security and Maintenance section (Windows 10 and 11). It is useful for identifying patterns that lead to crashes or freezes, and for seeing whether a recent update or software install is causing problems.

Why the Reliability Monitor Stops Working

The monitor depends on several background services and a data store. Common reasons it fails include:

• The Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) is disabled or stopped.
• The data store files are corrupted or locked.
• System files that support the monitor are damaged.
• Power settings or group policies disable the collection of reliability data.
• Disk cleanup or a third-party cleaner removed the data store.

In many cases, the monitor appears to work but shows no events, or it shows a message like “Reliability Monitor is currently collecting data.” This usually means the service is not running or the data store is empty.

Fix 1: Restart the Diagnostic Policy Service

The Reliability Monitor relies on the Diagnostic Policy Service. If it is not running, the monitor cannot collect or display data. To restart it:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Diagnostic Policy Service.
3. Right-click it and select Restart. If it is not running, select Start.
4. Double-click the service, set the startup type to Automatic, and click OK.
5. Restart the Reliability Monitor (see below) and check if it now shows data.

If the service fails to start, check that the Diagnostic Service Host and Diagnostic System Host services are also set to Automatic and running. These three services work together.

Fix 2: Clear and Rebuild the Reliability Data Store

If the service is running but the monitor is still blank, the data store may be corrupted. The data is stored in a hidden folder. To rebuild it:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Reliability. (You may need to enable hidden files.)
2. Close the Reliability Monitor if it is open.
3. Delete the contents of the Reliability folder. You may need to take ownership or run as administrator.
4. Restart the Diagnostic Policy Service (as above).
5. Open the Reliability Monitor again. It will start collecting data from that point onward.

Note that deleting the data store erases the history, so you will lose the previous timeline. If you want to keep a record, export the current report first (see below).

Fix 3: Run System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files can also break the monitor. The System File Checker (SFC) scans and repairs protected system files. To run it:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd”, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”).
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
3. If SFC finds issues but cannot fix them, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and then run SFC again.
4. Restart your PC and check the Reliability Monitor.

This fix addresses deeper system corruption that may not be obvious.

Fix 4: Check Group Policy and Privacy Settings

In Windows 10 and 11, the Reliability Monitor is tied to the “Diagnostic data” settings. If you have set diagnostic data to “Basic” or “Off” (on some versions), the monitor may not collect events. To adjust:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback (Windows 11) or Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback (Windows 10).
• Set “Send optional diagnostic data” to On (or at least “Required diagnostic data”).
• If you are on a work PC, group policy may override this. The relevant policy is Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Management > Internet Communication settings – but be cautious: changing group policy can affect other features.

Also, if you use a third-party privacy tool that blocks telemetry, it may disable the services that feed the Reliability Monitor. Temporarily disabling such tools can help diagnose the issue.

How to Open the Reliability Monitor

There are several ways to open it, depending on your Windows version:

• Press Win + R, type perfmon /rel, and press Enter.
• In Windows 7, open Control Panel > Action Center > Maintenance > View reliability history.
• In Windows 10/11, open Control Panel > Security and Maintenance > Maintenance > View reliability history.
• Alternatively, search for “Reliability Monitor” in the Start menu.

If the window opens but shows nothing, try the fixes above. If it opens with an error, note the exact error message – it often points to a specific service or permission issue.

What to Do If the Monitor Still Shows Nothing

If none of the above works, consider these additional steps:

• Check if the Windows Event Log service is running. The Reliability Monitor reads from event logs, so if they are disabled, it will be blank.
• Create a new user account and see if the monitor works there. If it does, the problem is with your user profile.
• Use the Reliability Monitor in Safe Mode. If it works there, a third-party application or driver is interfering.
• As a last resort, perform a Windows repair installation using the Media Creation Tool (keeps your files) or a system restore to a point before the issue started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Reliability Monitor stuck on “collecting data”?

This message appears when the data store is empty or the Diagnostic Policy Service is not running. Restart the service and wait a few minutes. If it persists, clear the data store as described above.

Can I recover deleted reliability history?

If you deleted the data store folder, the old history is gone unless you had exported a report. In the Reliability Monitor, you can click “View all problem reports” and then “Export” to save a copy. After a rebuild, only new events will appear.

Does the Reliability Monitor affect system performance?

No, it runs in the background with minimal overhead. It only records events and does not actively scan or consume significant resources.

Is the Reliability Monitor the same as Event Viewer?

No, but they are related. Event Viewer shows all raw event logs, while Reliability Monitor presents a curated, graphical timeline of significant events. Reliability Monitor uses data from event logs, but it is easier to spot patterns.

Will resetting my PC fix the Reliability Monitor?

Yes, a full reset will reinstall Windows and restore all default services. But try the simpler fixes first – they are less disruptive and often work.

Why does the Reliability Monitor show no events after a Windows update?

Sometimes a Windows update changes service settings or resets the data store. Reapplying the fixes above, especially restarting the Diagnostic Policy Service, usually resolves it. Also, ensure the update didn’t disable the diagnostic services.

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