Help Guide for Windows 8 Error 1297

The error reportedly appears while starting Windows Audio service. It also appears with different applications and games including the World of Warcraft.

Create Global Objects Properties

You may have to change Local Security Policy settings. Verify if the Local Service object is added into User/ Group textbox. If it does not exist, please add it manually.

For Windows 8.1/ 8

1. Press Windows Key + C simultaneously.
2. Charms Bar will be displayed.
3. Click Settings icon, and then Control Panel.
4. Click System and Security | Administrative Tools.
5. Double-click Local Security Policy.
6. From left-hand side panel expand the following nodes:
   Security Settings | Local Policies | User Rights Assignment
7. Double click “Create global objects” policy in the right panel.
8. Click Local Security Setting tab.
9. Make sure “Local service” is listed in the list box.
10. If it is unlisted, click “Add User or Group” button. In subsequent dialog type “LOCAL SERVICE” under “Enter the object names to select” textbox. Click OK | Apply | OK.
11. Restart your computer for new changes to take effects.

For Windows 7/ Vista

1. Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | Run.
2. Type “secpol.msc” and click OK.
3. Refer Steps # 6-11 from Windows 8.1/ 8 user’s section.

Re-execute Essential Services

Some of the essential services might be stopped. Enable Windows Audio service to interact with your desktop. Make sure other services are also set to automatically start.

For Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Run dialog box will open.
3. Type “Services.msc” in the Open textbox, press ENTER.
4. Scroll down the page. Right click “Windows Audio” service, select Properties.
5. From the General tab, start the service immediately.
6. Set Startup type: Automatic.
7. Click Log On tab.
8. Select “Local system account” option.
9. Check-up “Allow service to interact with desktop” box.
10. Click Apply | OK.
11. Start following services in the same manner and change their Startup Type to Automatic. Do not change settings in the Log On tab.
    • Multimedia Class Schedule
    • Remote Procedure call
    • Windows Audio
    • Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
    • Windows Defender
12. Exit.

Re-register DLL File Registration Entries

Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file registry entries could be corrupt. RegSvr32 <FileName> will automatically re-register concerning DLL files.

For Windows 8.1/ 8

1. Press Windows Key + X.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Type following commands. Press ENTER at the end of every command.
4. Finally, type EXIT and press ENTER to quit Command Prompt (Admin).

For Windows 7/ Vista

1. Click Start button on your Taskbar.
2. Click All Programs | Accessories.
3. Right-click Command Prompt, select Run as administrator.
4. Refer Steps # 3-4 from Windows 8.1/ 8 user’s section.

Provide Privileges to Service Registry Entries

Review your computer’s Registry privileges. Some essential services may not have security privileges to access and change Registry data. Define the service privileges carefully to sort out this issue.

For Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type “RegEdit” in new dialog box, click OK.
3. Registry Editor will open.
4. Locate the following subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SYSTEM | CurrentControlSet | Services
5. Right click “defragsvc” sub key, select Permissions.
6. Permissions for defragsvc dialog will open. Check-up “Full control” box under Allow column to provide all security privileges.
7. Click Apply | OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor.

Use Audio Troubleshooter

Windows comes with a Troubleshooter program to automatically diagnose issues. Scan and sort out your computer’s hardware and sound problems using Audio Troubleshooter.

For Windows 8.1/ 8

1. Press Windows Key + X simultaneously.
2. Select Search.
3. Type “Find and fix problems” in Search Box.
4. Click Settings icon.
5. Open the keyword from the Search Results.
6. Open the following:
   Hardware and Sound | Playing Audio
7. Follow the troubleshooting wizard. Restart your computer after finishing the operation.

For Windows 7/ Vista

1. Click Start button.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Press F3 key on your keyboard.
4. Type “troubleshooter” in Search Box located on top right corner.
5. Open the keyword from Search Results.
6. Click Troubleshoot audio playback under Hardware and Sound category.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Repair Audio Service

There may be some problems starting audio services. Here are steps to fix Windows 8 error 1297.

For Windows 8.1/ 8

1. Press Windows Key + X.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. Type following command and press ENTER:
   secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose
4. Exit Command Prompt and restart your PC.

For Windows 7/ Vista

1. Click Start button, type “CMD” in Search Box.
2. Right-click the keyword from Search Results, select Run as administrator.
3. Refer Steps # 3-4 from Windows 8.1/ 8 user’s section.

Modify Environment Variables

Add a new path followed by a semi-colon in Path variable in your computer’s Environment Variables. If the Path variable is already missing, create a new one with the new path.

For Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista

1. Right-click Computer icon on Desktop.
2. Select Properties.
3. Click “Advanced system settings” link on the left panel.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Click Environment Variables button.
6. Scroll down System Variables list box and check whether “Path” variable exists.
7. If it doesn’t exist, click New button. Specify the following values and click OK.
   Variable Name: PathVariable Value: %SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM
8. If it already exists, double-click “Path” variable. Insert the following value at the end of existing Variable Value textbox without replacing existing value. Click OK.
   ;%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM
   Note: There is a semi-colon at the end of above path.
9. Click OK | OK.
10. Restart your machine.

Activate OpenGL through Launcher Options

If you’re receiving error 1297 while using World of Warcraft, please activate OpenGL feature. The problem reportedly appears when OpenGL is turned off.

For Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7/ Vista

1. Exit the game completely.
2. Right-click its Desktop shortcut, select Properties from context menu.
3. Click Shortcut tab.
4. Add the following command at the end of the existing value in the Target textbox:
   “ -opengl” (without quotes)Example: C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Launcher.exe” -opengl
5. Click Apply | OK.