FileSystemWatcher not working when running as a Windows service in .NET 8

Question

I have an app that works well as a cmd line app, but when running as a service, the FileSystemWatcher stops working.

I have validated that the service has access to the files as it's using the same files elsewhere in the service.

My BackgroundService is setup like this:

public class Worker : BackgroundService
{
    private readonly ILogger<Worker> _logger;
    private FileSystemWatcher _watcher, _watcher2;

    public Worker(ILogger<Worker> logger)
    {
        _logger = logger;
    }

    public override async Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
    {
        await base.StartAsync(cancellationToken);
    }

    public override async Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
    {
        await base.StopAsync(cancellationToken);
    }

    protected override Task ExecuteAsync(CancellationToken stoppingToken)
    {
        SetupFileSystemWatchers();
        return Task.CompletedTask;
    }
}

Here is how my FileSystemWatchers are set up:

    private void SetupFileSystemWatchers()
    {
        try
        {
            _watcher = new FileSystemWatcher
            {
                Path = @"\\10.10.1.10\files$\1\2\3\",
                IncludeSubdirectories = true,
                NotifyFilter = NotifyFilters.DirectoryName | NotifyFilters.FileName
            };
            _watcher.Created += async (sender, e) =>
            {
               _logger.LogInformation("Created");
               await FileWatcherFileChanged(sender, e);
            };
            _watcher.EnableRaisingEvents = true;

            _watcher2 = new FileSystemWatcher
            {
                Path = @"\\10.10.1.10\files$\1\2\4\",
                IncludeSubdirectories = true,
                NotifyFilter = NotifyFilters.DirectoryName | NotifyFilters.FileName
            };

            _watcher2.Created += async (sender, e) =>
            {                   
               _logger.LogInformation("Created");
               await FileWatcherFileChanged(sender, e);
            };
            _watcher2.EnableRaisingEvents = true;

            _logger.LogInformation("Watchers set up successfully.");
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            _logger.LogError(ex, "Error setting up file system watchers.");
        }
    }

    private async Task FileWatcherFileChanged(object source, FileSystemEventArgs e)
    {
        await _manage.RepoChanged(e.FullPath);
    }
}

I have traces all over my code to figure what happens and it seems everything is initialized properly, but then event just does not get triggered when run as a service. Same exact code run as a console app on the same server and it works perfectly.

CoreTech · Accepted Answer · 2024-07-02 14:21:28Z

0

Is your service running in the Local System account? That's the default, but that account may not have access to your network. You should try running in a regular user account that you know has access to the network and see if your code works then.

To check/change the account, start the Services app (run services.msc) and switch to the "Log On" tab. Enter your user name and password there.

answered Jul 2, 2024 at 14:21

CoreTech

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1 Comment

user3704628 Over a year ago

No I tried that and I have the same result. I Run the same function to read files and modify them on a periodic timer(daily) as well as on a FileChange. On a period timer it works, I access all files, but on a File change never gets called. But exact same code as a Console App works for periodic as well as a File change.

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