MTA service is not running

[This topic is intended to address a specific issue called out by the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool. You should apply it only to systems that have had the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool run against them and are experiencing that specific issue. The Exchange Server Analyzer Tool, available as a free download, remotely collects configuration data from each server in the topology and automatically analyzes the data. The resulting report details important configuration issues, potential problems, and nondefault product settings. By following these recommendations, you can achieve better performance, scalability, reliability, and uptime. For more information about the tool or to download the latest versions, see "Microsoft Exchange Analyzers" at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34707.]  

Topic Last Modified: 2007-02-19

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_Service Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine whether the value set for following service's Started keys are set to True or False:

  • Microsoft Exchange MTA Stacks service

  • Cluster service

A value of False indicates that the service is not running on this Exchange Server computer. A value of True indicates that the service is running.

The Exchange Server Analyzer also examines the Exchange_Server WMI class in the root\MicrosoftExchangeV2 namespace to determine the value for the IsFrontEndServer key. A value of False indicates that the Exchange Server computer is not a front-end server. A value of True indicates that the Exchange Server computer is a front-end server.

If the value for all three evaluated keys is False, a warning is displayed.

It is recommended that all Exchange Server computers that route mail have the Exchange MTA Stacks service started. This is especially important in a mixed-mode environment where messages are transferred between Exchange Server version 5.5 and Exchange Server 2003 and/or Exchange 2000 Server. Additionally, any X.400 connectors require the Exchange MTA Stacks service, so disabling the service will produce errors and functionality may fail. Mailbox moves also require the Exchange MTA Stacks service to be started.

To resolve this warning, start the Exchange MTA Stacks service.

To start the Exchange MTA Stacks service

  1. From the Start menu, select Programs, Administrative Tools, and then the Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.

  2. Right-click Microsoft Exchange MTA Stacks service, and then click Properties.

  3. On the General tab of the Microsoft Exchange MTA Stacks property page, make sure the Start-up type is set to Automatic. If it is not, click Apply, and then click OK.

  4. Right-click Microsoft Exchange MTA Stacks service, and then click Start.

  5. Close the Services snap-in.

For more information about keeping the Exchange MTA Stacks service running in a mixed-code Exchange environment, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 810489, "MTA Stacks Service Must Remain Enabled on Exchange 2000 and 2003" (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=3052&kbid=810489).