"Peer Name Resolution Protocol" Service Could not be Started and HomeGroup Is not Working

SYMPTOM

You cannot join a HomeGroup with an error message "Windows cannot set up a HomeGroup on this computer. Error code: 0x80630801".

In addition, you may observe the issue that "Peer Networking Grouping" service cannot be started on this computer.

CAUSE

The error code 0x80630801 means PEER_E_CERT_STORE_CORRUPTED. The Identity Store has been corrupted.

(Location: "C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking\idstore.sst")

SOLUTION

To resolve this issue, we need to delete idstore.sst from the %appdata%\peernetworking folder. Please follow the steps below:

1. From an elevated CMD prompt, type in the following command:

Net stop p2pimsvc /y

2. Delete the following file:

"C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking\idstore.sst"

3. Reboot the computer.

Then you should be able to join HomeGroup.

REFERENCE

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/a85eaa65-d73a-4324-ad0c-e9a2c1469bd7

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itpronetworking/Thread/6B5A72EB-6523-4AF9-85AB-3694D7CC457A

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/932e85c6-b141-4bc5-8be7-daa7e0ff714b

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/79ce2aad-0508-478b-b2d7-b89f70821c37

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/62491022-bd42-4e0e-bfaf-7fb172f70e78