FIX: The applicationHost.config file may be temporarily inconsistent and you receive the "Configuration file is not well-formed XML" error message in a server that hosts IIS 7.0

View products that this article applies to.

Symptoms

On an Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 server, you may see one or more of the following symptoms. In the system event log, you may see one or more occurrences of event ID 2297 from source Microsoft-Windows-IIS-W3SVC-WP and event ID 5172 from source Microsoft-Windows-WAS that resemble the following.

Message 1

Message 2

Additionally, client requests may receive a response with status code 503 "Service unavailable." You may see entries in the HTTP error logs with a status of "AppOffline."

Performing an IISRESET enables your Web sites to serve requests again.

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Cause

This problem occurs because the configuration system reads the applicationHost.config file without locking it. If the IIS configuration file is being written to while the configuration is being read by the Windows Activation Service (WAS), the configuration may be inconsistent.

The following factors may make the problem more likely to occur:

A large (multi-megabyte) applicationHost.config file.
Frequent updates to the configuration (through direct modification of the applicationHost.config file or through one of the programmatic interfaces to the IIS configuration system (ABO, MWA, WMI).

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Resolution

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

You must have Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

x86-based version

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Admwprox.dll	7.0.6001.22329	51,712	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Ahadmin.dll	7.0.6001.22329	27,136	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Appcmd.exe	7.0.6001.22329	154,112	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Appcmd.xml	Not Applicable	3,654	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Applicationhost.config	Not Applicable	7,989	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Appobj.dll	7.0.6001.22329	311,808	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Aspnetca.exe	7.0.6001.22329	182,784	13-Dec-2008	02:52	x86
Aspnet_schema.xml	Not Applicable	38,786	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Fx_schema.xml	Not Applicable	26,971	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Iismig.dll	7.0.6001.22329	209,408	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86
Iisreg.dll	7.0.6001.22329	89,088	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisres.dll	7.0.6001.22329	193,024	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisreset.exe	7.0.6001.22329	14,848	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisrstap.dll	7.0.6001.22329	8,192	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisrstas.exe	7.0.6001.22329	31,232	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisrtl.dll	7.0.6001.22329	153,600	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iissetup.exe	7.0.6001.22329	228,864	13-Dec-2008	02:52	x86
Iissyspr.dll	7.0.6001.22329	59,392	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisutil.dll	7.0.6001.22329	202,752	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iis_schema.xml	Not Applicable	77,747	09-Sep-2008	22:22	Not Applicable
Nativerd.dll	7.0.6001.22329	331,264	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Redirection.config	Not Applicable	490	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Rsca.dll	7.0.6001.22329	26,624	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Rscaext.dll	6.0.6001.22329	38,912	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Rscaext.xml	Not Applicable	8,363	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
W3ctrlps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	9,216	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86
Wamregps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	10,752	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86

x64-based version

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Admwprox.dll	7.0.6001.22329	54,784	13-Dec-2008	04:58	x64
Ahadmin.dll	7.0.6001.22329	61,440	13-Dec-2008	04:58	x64
Appcmd.exe	7.0.6001.22329	191,488	13-Dec-2008	03:22	x64
Appcmd.xml	Not Applicable	3,654	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Applicationhost.config	Not Applicable	7,989	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Appobj.dll	7.0.6001.22329	379,392	13-Dec-2008	04:58	x64
Aspnetca.exe	7.0.6001.22329	218,624	13-Dec-2008	03:22	x64
Aspnet_schema.xml	Not Applicable	38,786	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
Fx_schema.xml	Not Applicable	26,971	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
Iismig.dll	7.0.6001.22329	242,688	13-Dec-2008	05:06	x64
Iisreg.dll	7.0.6001.22329	111,616	13-Dec-2008	05:01	x64
Iisres.dll	7.0.6001.22329	193,024	13-Dec-2008	03:22	x64
Iisreset.exe	7.0.6001.22329	16,896	13-Dec-2008	03:21	x64
Iisrstap.dll	7.0.6001.22329	11,264	13-Dec-2008	05:01	x64
Iisrstas.exe	7.0.6001.22329	34,816	13-Dec-2008	03:21	x64
Iisrtl.dll	7.0.6001.22329	192,512	13-Dec-2008	05:01	x64
Iissetup.exe	7.0.6001.22329	280,064	13-Dec-2008	03:22	x64
Iissyspr.dll	7.0.6001.22329	66,560	13-Dec-2008	05:01	x64
Iisutil.dll	7.0.6001.22329	275,456	13-Dec-2008	05:01	x64
Iis_schema.xml	Not Applicable	77,747	09-Sep-2008	23:02	Not Applicable
Nativerd.dll	7.0.6001.22329	416,768	13-Dec-2008	05:03	x64
Redirection.config	Not Applicable	490	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
Rsca.dll	7.0.6001.22329	31,232	13-Dec-2008	05:05	x64
Rscaext.dll	6.0.6001.22329	44,032	13-Dec-2008	05:05	x64
Rscaext.xml	Not Applicable	8,363	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
W3ctrlps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	13,824	13-Dec-2008	05:07	x64
Wamregps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	15,872	13-Dec-2008	05:07	x64
Admwprox.dll	7.0.6001.22329	51,712	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Ahadmin.dll	7.0.6001.22329	27,136	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Appcmd.exe	7.0.6001.22329	154,112	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Appcmd.xml	Not Applicable	3,654	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Appobj.dll	7.0.6001.22329	311,808	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Aspnetca.exe	7.0.6001.22329	182,784	13-Dec-2008	02:52	x86
Iismig.dll	7.0.6001.22329	209,408	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86
Iisreg.dll	7.0.6001.22329	89,088	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisres.dll	7.0.6001.22329	193,024	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisreset.exe	7.0.6001.22329	14,848	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisrstap.dll	7.0.6001.22329	8,192	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisrtl.dll	7.0.6001.22329	153,600	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iissetup.exe	7.0.6001.22329	228,864	13-Dec-2008	02:52	x86
Iissyspr.dll	7.0.6001.22329	59,392	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisutil.dll	7.0.6001.22329	202,752	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Nativerd.dll	7.0.6001.22329	331,264	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Rsca.dll	7.0.6001.22329	26,624	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Rscaext.dll	6.0.6001.22329	38,912	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
W3ctrlps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	9,216	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86
Wamregps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	10,752	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86

IA-64 based version

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Admwprox.dll	7.0.6001.22329	119,808	13-Dec-2008	04:37	IA-64
Ahadmin.dll	7.0.6001.22329	82,432	13-Dec-2008	04:37	IA-64
Appcmd.exe	7.0.6001.22329	404,992	13-Dec-2008	03:13	IA-64
Appcmd.xml	Not Applicable	3,654	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Applicationhost.config	Not Applicable	7,989	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Appobj.dll	7.0.6001.22329	727,552	13-Dec-2008	04:37	IA-64
Aspnetca.exe	7.0.6001.22329	432,128	13-Dec-2008	03:14	IA-64
Aspnet_schema.xml	Not Applicable	38,786	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
Fx_schema.xml	Not Applicable	26,971	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
Iismig.dll	7.0.6001.22329	452,096	13-Dec-2008	04:45	IA-64
Iisreg.dll	7.0.6001.22329	143,872	13-Dec-2008	04:41	IA-64
Iisres.dll	7.0.6001.22329	193,024	13-Dec-2008	03:13	IA-64
Iisreset.exe	7.0.6001.22329	34,816	13-Dec-2008	03:12	IA-64
Iisrstap.dll	7.0.6001.22329	18,944	13-Dec-2008	04:41	IA-64
Iisrstas.exe	7.0.6001.22329	78,336	13-Dec-2008	03:12	IA-64
Iisrtl.dll	7.0.6001.22329	393,216	13-Dec-2008	04:41	IA-64
Iissetup.exe	7.0.6001.22329	543,232	13-Dec-2008	03:14	IA-64
Iissyspr.dll	7.0.6001.22329	134,656	13-Dec-2008	04:41	IA-64
Iisutil.dll	7.0.6001.22329	513,024	13-Dec-2008	04:41	IA-64
Iis_schema.xml	Not Applicable	77,747	09-Sep-2008	23:18	Not Applicable
Nativerd.dll	7.0.6001.22329	899,584	13-Dec-2008	04:43	IA-64
Redirection.config	Not Applicable	490	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
Rsca.dll	7.0.6001.22329	74,240	13-Dec-2008	04:45	IA-64
Rscaext.dll	6.0.6001.22329	111,616	13-Dec-2008	04:45	IA-64
Rscaext.xml	Not Applicable	8,363	18-Dec-2007	21:01	Not Applicable
W3ctrlps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	22,528	13-Dec-2008	04:46	IA-64
Wamregps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	28,160	13-Dec-2008	04:46	IA-64
Admwprox.dll	7.0.6001.22329	51,712	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Ahadmin.dll	7.0.6001.22329	27,136	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Appcmd.exe	7.0.6001.22329	154,112	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Appcmd.xml	Not Applicable	3,654	18-Dec-2007	21:00	Not Applicable
Appobj.dll	7.0.6001.22329	311,808	13-Dec-2008	04:27	x86
Aspnetca.exe	7.0.6001.22329	182,784	13-Dec-2008	02:52	x86
Iismig.dll	7.0.6001.22329	209,408	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86
Iisreg.dll	7.0.6001.22329	89,088	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisres.dll	7.0.6001.22329	193,024	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisreset.exe	7.0.6001.22329	14,848	13-Dec-2008	02:51	x86
Iisrstap.dll	7.0.6001.22329	8,192	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisrtl.dll	7.0.6001.22329	153,600	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iissetup.exe	7.0.6001.22329	228,864	13-Dec-2008	02:52	x86
Iissyspr.dll	7.0.6001.22329	59,392	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Iisutil.dll	7.0.6001.22329	202,752	13-Dec-2008	04:28	x86
Nativerd.dll	7.0.6001.22329	331,264	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Rsca.dll	7.0.6001.22329	26,624	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
Rscaext.dll	6.0.6001.22329	38,912	13-Dec-2008	04:31	x86
W3ctrlps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	9,216	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86
Wamregps.dll	7.0.6001.22329	10,752	13-Dec-2008	04:32	x86

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Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

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References

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

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Applies to:

Internet Information Services

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Keywords: kbhotfixserver, kbautohotfix, kbexpertiseinter, kbexpertiseadvanced, kbqfe, kbsurveynew, kb

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Article Info

Article ID	:	960412
Revision	:	5
Created on	:	9/19/2018
Published on	:	9/19/2018
Exists online	:	False
Views	:	339

Microsoft KB Archive Search

FIX: The applicationHost.config file may be temporarily inconsistent and you receive the "Configuration file is not well-formed XML" error message in a server that hosts IIS 7.0

Symptoms

Cause

Resolution

Hotfix information

Prerequisites

Restart requirement

Hotfix replacement information

File information

x86-based version

x64-based version

IA-64 based version

Status

References

Applies to: