Understanding SharePoint 2010 Timer Service

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 140 views

Introduction

SharePoint 2010 Timer Service is a crucial component that runs scheduled tasks, also known as timer jobs, to maintain the health and integrity of your SharePoint environment. However, when the timer service is started, but timer jobs are not running, it can be a frustrating and time-consuming issue to resolve. In this article, we will explore the possible causes and solutions to troubleshoot timer jobs not running in SharePoint 2010.

Understanding SharePoint 2010 Timer Service

The SharePoint 2010 Timer Service is a Windows service that runs in the background, executing scheduled tasks, such as:

Content deployment: Deploying content from one SharePoint site to another.
Search: Indexing and crawling content for search functionality.
User profile: Synchronizing user profiles and permissions.
Workflow: Executing workflow tasks, such as approval and assignment.

The timer service is responsible for running these tasks at scheduled intervals, ensuring that your SharePoint environment remains up-to-date and functional.

Symptoms of Timer Jobs Not Running

When timer jobs are not running, you may experience the following symptoms:

Empty Running and Scheduled timer job sections: The "Running" and "Scheduled" sections in the SharePoint Central Administration are empty, indicating that no timer jobs are running or scheduled.
Inbuilt timer jobs not running: Even the inbuilt timer jobs, such as the search indexer, are not running.
Custom timer jobs not running: Custom timer jobs, created by developers or administrators, are also not running.

Causes of Timer Jobs Not Running

There are several possible causes for timer jobs not running in SharePoint 2010:

Timer service not started: The SharePoint 2010 Timer Service may not be started, or it may be stopped.
Incorrect timer service account: The timer service account may be incorrect, preventing the service from running.
Permission issues: The timer service account may not have the necessary permissions to run timer jobs.
Configuration issues: Configuration issues, such as incorrect timer job settings or missing dependencies, may prevent timer jobs from running.
Resource constraints: Resource constraints, such as insufficient CPU or memory, may prevent timer jobs from running.

Troubleshooting Timer Jobs Not Running

To troubleshoot timer jobs not running in SharePoint 2010, follow these steps:

Step 1: Verify Timer Service Status

Check timer service status: Open the Services console (services.msc) and verify that the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service is started.
Check timer service account: Verify that the timer service account is correct and has the necessary permissions.

Step 2: Check Timer Job Settings

Verify timer job settings: Check the timer job settings in the SharePoint Central Administration to ensure that they are correct and not disabled.
Check dependencies: Verify that all dependencies required by the timer job are installed and configured correctly.

Step 3: Check Resource Constraints

Verify resource constraints: Check the resource constraints, such as CPU and memory, to ensure that they are sufficient to run timer jobs.

Step 4: Check Event Viewer Logs

Check event viewer logs: Check the event viewer logs for any errors or warnings related to the timer service or timer jobs.

Step 5: Reset Timer Service

Reset timer service: Reset the timer service by stopping and starting it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, timer jobs not running in SharePoint 2010 can be a frustrating issue to resolve. By understanding the possible causes and following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can identify and resolve the issue, ensuring that your SharePoint environment remains healthy and functional.

Additional Resources

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Timer Service: Microsoft documentation on the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service.
SharePoint 2010 Timer Jobs: Microsoft documentation on timer jobs in SharePoint 2010.
Troubleshooting SharePoint 2010 Timer Jobs: Microsoft documentation on troubleshooting timer jobs in SharePoint 2010.
SharePoint 2010 Timer Service: Troubleshooting Timer Jobs Not Running - Q&A ====================================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the possible causes and solutions to troubleshoot timer jobs not running in SharePoint 2010. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address common questions and concerns related to the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service and timer jobs.

Q&A

Q: What is the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service?

A: The SharePoint 2010 Timer Service is a Windows service that runs in the background, executing scheduled tasks, such as content deployment, search, user profile, and workflow.

Q: Why are my timer jobs not running?

A: There are several possible causes for timer jobs not running, including:

Timer service not started
Incorrect timer service account
Permission issues
Configuration issues
Resource constraints

Q: How do I verify the timer service status?

A: To verify the timer service status, open the Services console (services.msc) and check if the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service is started.

Q: What are the common timer job settings that I should check?

A: The common timer job settings that you should check include:

Timer job schedule
Timer job dependencies
Timer job permissions

Q: How do I reset the timer service?

A: To reset the timer service, stop and start the service.

Q: What are the common resource constraints that can prevent timer jobs from running?

A: The common resource constraints that can prevent timer jobs from running include:

Insufficient CPU
Insufficient memory
Insufficient disk space

Q: How do I check the event viewer logs for errors or warnings related to the timer service or timer jobs?

A: To check the event viewer logs, open the Event Viewer and navigate to the Windows Logs section. Look for errors or warnings related to the timer service or timer jobs.

Q: Can I configure the timer service to run under a specific account?

A: Yes, you can configure the timer service to run under a specific account. To do this, open the Services console (services.msc) and right-click on the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service. Select "Properties" and then click on the "Log On" tab. Select the account that you want the service to run under.

Q: How do I troubleshoot timer jobs that are not running due to permission issues?

A: To troubleshoot timer jobs that are not running due to permission issues, check the permissions of the timer service account and ensure that it has the necessary permissions to run the timer job.

Q: Can I configure the timer service to run at a specific interval?

A: Yes, you can configure the timer service to run at a specific interval. To do this, open the SharePoint Central Administration and navigate to the "Timer Job Definitions" section. Select the timer job that you want to configure and click on the "Edit" button. In the "Schedule" section, select the interval at which you want the timer job to run.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service is a critical component of the SharePoint 2010 platform, and troubleshooting timer jobs not running can be a challenging task. By understanding the possible causes and following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can identify and resolve the issue, ensuring that your SharePoint environment remains healthy and functional.

Additional Resources

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Timer Service: Microsoft documentation on the SharePoint 2010 Timer Service.
SharePoint 2010 Timer Jobs: Microsoft documentation on timer jobs in SharePoint 2010.
Troubleshooting SharePoint 2010 Timer Jobs: Microsoft documentation on troubleshooting timer jobs in SharePoint 2010.