SepMasterService fails to start

Countless machines running 12.1.6 where the SepMasterService fails to start normally after a reboot.  Already opened a ticket with support over a month ago.

sc.exe \\computername query sepmasterservice

SERVICE_NAME: sepmasterservice
        TYPE               : 10  WIN32_OWN_PROCESS
        STATE              : 1  STOPPED
        WIN32_EXIT_CODE    : 0  (0x0)
        SERVICE_EXIT_CODE  : 0  (0x0)
        CHECKPOINT         : 0x0
        WAIT_HINT          : 0x0

Then you get the dreaded message below when trying to open the Symantec GUI.

"Symantec Endpoint Protection cannot open because some Symantec services are stopped. Restart the Symantec services, and then open Symantec Endpoint Protection".