Request to add or remove features on the specified server failed

Add or remove features - fix dotnet framework issues

While setting up your server and planning to do some deployment on the server there could be some features that are part of the requirement for the deployment. In this guide, I will show you how to fix “the request to add or remove features on the specified server failed”. Please see Check .NET Framework version on Windows, and Steps to enable DotNet Framework in Windows 11. Also, see DotNet Framework in Windows 11, and how to integrate TestRail with Jira.

For example, you could need to install .NET Framework 3.5 as part of what is needed to make a particular deployment successful. But while installing these features you can encounter an error like ”The request to add or remove features on the specified server failed”.

The steps below show how to go about fixing this error so you can complete the installation of the .Net Framework 3.5. Here is a YouTube video for more information.

If you need to read more on some Windows errors you can read these: How to Fix Windows Error 0x80070057. How to fix Unknown Hard Error on Windows Server and Windows 10, and how to Fix “Unknown hard error” on Windows Server and Windows 10.

Fix the request to add or remove features failed

The image below shows the process of installing the .Net Framework 3.5 Features after going through the Add Roles Features from the Server Manager.

In the image below while installing the .Net Framework 3.5 Features. It gets halted and displays this error “The request to add or remove features on the specified server failed. Installation of one or more roles, role services, or features failed. The source files could not be found”.

What you need to do is to locate the source of the file. This is exactly what we will be doing next.

Please see how to RUN Command on AWS, and how to Allow RDP access for non-administrators: Add User to Remote Desktop Users Group in Active Directory. Also, see how to enable or disable DotNet Framework (NetFx3) via PowerShell, Control Panel, and DISM in Windows. Learn about Security Best Practicse to secure your Cisco Router and Switches.

Resolution to the installation of one or more roles, role services, or features failed

1: Go ahead and close this Installation progress page and restart the installation.

2. When you get to the Confirm installation selections page. Click on Specify an alternate source path and locate where the files are located.

3. The .Net Framework 3.5 files can be located in this location sourcessxs

This is the location displayed in the image below sourcessxs

Specify the alternate source path

Also, see how to Fix “Insufficient System Resources Exist to Complete the Requested Service” error, how to Fix DISM Error 87: The package is unknown, and Hard Drive is Not Accessible: How to fix Cyclic Redundancy Check Data Error.

4. Now copy the directory where the file is located into the Specify Alternate Source Path and click Ok.

5. After doing all this the installation will continue and will complete successfully

FAQs

Can I use PowerShell to add or remove features as an alternative to Server Manager?

You can use PowerShell to add or remove features on a Windows server. PowerShell provides the Install-WindowsFeature and Uninstall-WindowsFeature cmdlets for this purpose.
– Here is how to add a feature: Install-WindowsFeature -Name
– Here is how to uninstall a feature: Uninstall-WindowsFeature -Name

Can this error also occur during updates or patch installations?

The error can also occur during the installation of updates or patches if there are issues with the update process. Similar troubleshooting steps, such as checking permissions and verifying installation sources, can be applied.

How do you fix failed to install .Net framework on Windows Server?

What you need to do is locate the source of the file and install .Net Framework from it. This video or this article on how to add or remove features on the specified server failed to discuss this issue.

What is included in the .NET Framework 3.5?

This includes all that is required to build existing apps and programs that rely on the .net framework

What are the differences between .NET Framework versions

Each version of .NET Framework contains the common language runtime (CLR), the base class libraries, and other managed libraries. Each new version of .NET Framework adds new features but retains features from previous versions.

I hope you found this blog post on how to fix error the request to add or remove features on the specified server failed interesting and helpful. In case you have any questions do not hesitate to ask in the comment section.