Uninstall Errors 1603 & 1622

[Jake Taylor]

I’m trying to uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection on several of our machines using only the command prompt and not requiring any user input. This is the command I’ve been using:

wmic product where (name = “symantec endpoint protection”) call uninstall

This worked for the majority of the time, but some machines (~40) say that the method has completed, but return an error code and don't actually uninstall. They either return a 1603 or a 1622. 

Here is a link to the error code meanings: https://cloudywindows.io/windowsinstallererrorcodes/

1603    Fatal error during installation
1622    Error opening installation log file. Verify that the specified log file location exists and is writable

The command prompt is elevated to SYSTEM, so it shouldn't be a permissions issue. 

I've also tried doing this in PowerShell with similar results using this command:

(Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product -Filter "Name='Symantec Endpoint Protection'" -ComputerName COMPUTERNAME).Uninstall()

Does anyone know what the issue is, or know of any Symantec uninstall utility that can be run from the command line? I'd like to not have to restart the computer and not require user input as well.

Thanks in advance!

[Rafeeq]

Hi Jake,

this happens when the current install is corrupted, you will see the same error even if you try to uinstall from add/remove programs manually.

run the clienwipe tool attached to this document for the failed ones

Download the CleanWipe removal tool to uninstall Endpoint Protection

https://support.symantec.com/us/en/article.howto124983.html

[Jake Taylor]

Hi Rafeeq,

I really appreciate your quick response! I assume there's no way to do this silently from the command line with no computer restart?

Either way, thank you very much for your help!

[Rafeeq]

Hi Jake,

Unfortunately No, this tool dosen't have a silent switch as of now. It does need a restart. HTH have a wonderful day.

P.S: On the latest versions ,you can find this tool under

<SePM Install Drive>:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager\Tools

Regards,

Rafeeq

[k.cardenas]

Hi Rafeeq,

I've encountered similar issues with a few clients, is there a way to confirm which component is corrupted on the SEP client?

Best,
Karen