(AI KB) PCS: Job Services Auto-Restart Setup

Summary:
When the PCS Job Service hangs or fails to process items in the job queue, a common and effective recommendation is to configure automated restarts using the Windows Task Scheduler. This article outlines our recommendations and rationale for using scheduled tasks to ensure continued PCS Job Service operation.

Issue Symptoms

• Queued jobs stuck in queue

• Nightly jobs do not run as scheduled

• Job Service status appears “Running,” but data is not importing/exporting

Use Windows Task Scheduler to Restart PCS Job Services Daily

We recommend configuring a scheduled task to restart the PCS Job Service on a daily basis during off-hours (e.g., early morning). This is a proactive step to reduce the need for manual intervention and ensure consistent data processing.

Step-by-Step: Set Up a Task Scheduler Job to Restart PCS Job Service

Admin permissions are required to configure Task Scheduler.

What You'll Need:

• The name of the PCS Job Service account. If you do not know the Job Service account info,  you can find it by right-clicking PCS Job Services > Properties > Logon to verify the account. 
• Preferred restart time (we recommend early morning, e.g., 2:00 AM)

Instructions:

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler

• Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.
• In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.

Step 2: Create a New Task

• Click Action > Create Task (not “Create Basic Task”).
• On the General tab:
  • Name: Restart PCS Job Service
  • Description: Restarts the PCS Job Service daily to maintain stable operation.
  • Select Run whether user is logged on or not
  • Check Run with highest privileges
  • Choose Configure for: Windows Server 2016 or later

Step 3: Set the Trigger

• Go to the Triggers tab, click New.
• Set Begin the task to “On a schedule.”
  • Daily
  • Repeat every 1 day
  • Start time: e.g., 2:00:00 AM
• Click OK

Step 4: Set the Action

• Go to the Actions tab, click New.
• Action: Start a program
• Program/script: powershell.exe
• Add arguments:
• -Command "Restart-Service -Name 'PCSJobService'"

(replace 'PCSJobService' with your actual service name)

Step 6: Settings

• Go to the Settings tab.
  • Ensure Allow task to be run on demand is checked
  • Check Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed

Step 7: Save & Test

• Click OK and enter admin credentials if prompted.
• Right-click the task in the library and select Run to test it. 

Step 8: Use Event Viewer for Troubleshooting

When encountering persistent or unclear issues, check the Windows Event Viewer on the Job Service machine for application or system logs that could indicate underlying issues.

Additional Information:

Microsoft Knowledgebase Article for Task Scheduler Setup