Search Host Controller Service ‘Starting’ does not start

I’ve tried everything from Registry Permissions to unprovisioning search and recreating search. Finally i found the solution. Do not use port 808 for any Web App. Apparently Windows Communication Foundation Service uses port 808 and Search SP 2013 Host Controller uses WCF.

 ULS logs had “Could not connect to net.tcp://server/ceres/hostcontroller/nettcp” …. and “connected host has failed to respond XX.XXX.XXX.XX:808”

I had to extend that site to another port then delete the IIS Web app that was using port 808.