How to Fix Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working Error? 9 Ways

How to Fix Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working Error

Are you frustrated with the “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” error on your screen? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll provide 9 effective ways to fix this error and get your Windows Explorer running smoothly again.

The 9 ways by which you can fix this error mentioned in this article are to Run Sfcscannow Command, Check the Hard disk for Errors, Update the Graphic Driver, Perform Virus or Malware Check, Test Picture Files, Tweak Internet Explorer Option, Check Startup Services, clear your System memory, and System Restore.

By following the steps mentioned in this article, you will be able to fix the “Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working” error. Keep reading to explore each method in detail.

9 Ways to Fix Windows Explorer Has Stopped Working Error

If you have a blank window screen, press “ctrl+alt+dlt” (a major and common survivor !!)

From various Options, select Task Manager, and a new window will open. Now click the file menu and select the “Run new task” sub-menu. Another window will pop up. In the textbox beside Open, type ‘Explorer.exe‘ and tick the checkbox beneath. Click OK.

Close the window of the Task Manager.

  • Before proceeding to check for an actual reason, check for any Update notification for critical system software or Anti-Virus. So navigate to ‘Control Panel‘ and Click ‘Device Update Option.’ Here you will see all important updates and can select the “Install Updates” Option to install updates regarding necessary software, esp. Anti-Virus. Also, Outdated PC Drivers can cause many Windows errors, so install all your current drivers from the PC manufacturer’s website (never install any updates from 3rd party sites). 
  • After all your drivers are updated, restart or reboot your computer.

See also : [Solved] Fix An Error Has Occurred In The Script On This Page

Now if you still find your Explorer crash, Go One by One to below mentioned possible solutions:

Solution #1: Run Sfcscannow Command

Sfc stands for System File Check, a tool to repair missing or corrupted files. Thus such scanning will inspect all-important window files on your computer, and if it finds an issue with any protected file or folder, it will replace it.

solution 1

  • Go to the Start button. 
  • Navigate to All Programs>>Accessories and right-click “Command Prompt.” 
  • Select “Run as Administrator.” 
  • Command Prompt will open. Type the command sfcscannow and hit Enter.

(Now relax and wait until the scanning completes). If No File is missing or corrupted, then “No Integrity Violation‘ message will occur. Thus proceed to another check.

Solution #2 Check the Hard disk for Errors

Run CHKDSK command: 

solution 2

  • Again Go to the Start button. 
  • In the textbox, type “cmd” and press enter. 
  • Cmd Prompt window will appear. Type the command “chkdsk/r/f” and press Enter. 
  • Press Y (yes). Thus it will check the hard disk for errors when you start your computer next time. 
  • Reboot your computer.

Solution #3 Update Graphic Driver

Windows Explorer might also crash if the video driver fails to perform its task, which can be a situation if the driver is outdated or corrupted.

For such check:

solution 3

  • Go to Control Panel>>Device Manager
  • Click on the triangular icon beside the ‘Display Adapter’ option. 
  • Now right-click on each display adapter and select Update Driver Software option 
  • In the pop window, choose “search automatically.”

Solution #4 Perform Virus or Malware Check

Install any good anti-virus from a trusted website or Download Microsoft Security Essentials. Follow the installation steps, and finally, scan your system. Out of 3 options, Quick Scan is the fastest scan that scans all necessary files and folders and lists the issues you can fix.

solution 4

Install CCleaner, a good software that cleans and repairs Registry errors. Run Cleaner and registry options one by one to scan and fix issues.

Also, you can read our guide on some of the best-rated anti-virus software for Windows.

Solution #5 Test Picture Files

If a crash occurs while opening the folder containing pictures or working (editing) pictures, it might be possible that that folder on the whole or some pictures are corrupted.

For checking such issues:

  • Open my computer.
  • Press Ctrl+F and then select View from the top bar. 
  • Then click on Folder Options or Change folder or search options from the menu.  
  • Tick the checkbox beside “Always show Icons, never Thumbnails.” 
  • Remove Tick for Option “Display File Icon On Thumbnails.” 
  • Click OK.

Such adjustments will cause the default icon as per file type to be displayed for pictures or videos. Thus if the opening folder containing pictures or any particular picture again causes a crash, either 1 or more images are corrupted, or the thumbnail data is corrupted. Delete folders or pictures, clean the recycle bin, refresh your system, and restart your PC.

Solution #6 Tweak Internet Explorer Option

solution 6

  • Click the IE icon
  • Choose the “Use recommended security” option and click the “Ask me Later” option.
  • On the extreme right on top, click Setting>>Internet Options.
  • A new pop-up window will open; select ‘Advance‘ Panel. 
  • Uncheck third-party browser extensions.
  • Click Apply>>OK
  • A pop window will occur for Restart; click Restart.

Solution #7 Check Startup Services

solution 7

  • Go to the Start button. 
  • Type “msconfig” in the text box and hit Enter.
  • A new window will open; click on the Service panel. 
  • Tick the checkbox beside “Hide all Microsoft services.” 
  • Now background or not- MS services will only be displayed. Click Disable All button at the bottom right. 
  • Hit Apply>>OK
  • A pop window will occur, requesting you to restart the PC to apply changes. 
  • Simply restart your computer/PC.

Solution #8

There can be memory-related problems also. So clear your System memory, i.e., RAM:

For this, there is an inbuilt tool Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

solution 8

  • In the textbox of the Start button, type Windows diagnostic tool
  • A new window will open; out of 2 options, select the “Restart now and check for problems” option.
  • Now, wait till it completes 100%.

Solution #9

If your window explorer was stopped while running a 3rd party S/W or application or installing a 3rd party s/w or application, then go for the ‘System Restore‘ Option. It is used to restore or get back old Settings.

solution 9

  • Go to the Start button 
  • In the text box, type system restore and click System Restore Point.
  • A new window will open; click the system Restore option
  • A restore wizard will open>>follow the steps.

FAQs

How do I fix Windows Explorer has stopped working?

To fix 'Windows Explorer has stopped working,' try to run Sfcscannow Command, Check the Hard disk for Errors, Update the Graphic Driver, Perform Virus or Malware Check, Test Picture Files, Tweak Internet Explorer Option, Check Startup Services, clear your System memory, and System Restore.

How do I fix explorer.exe in Windows 10?

To fix explorer.exe in Windows 10, try restarting File Explorer using Task Manager or run a system file checker scan using the command prompt.

Summing Up

In conclusion, encountering the “Windows Explorer has stopped working” error can be frustrating, but several effective solutions are available. By following the nine methods discussed in this article, you can address the issue and fix the Windows Explorer has stopped working error.

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