Rundll32 is responsible for loading and running 32-bit dynamic-link libraries. It is also a software component of Microsoft Windows. Being a normal Windows user, you won’t directly come into the contact pf rundll32.exe file. There are no configurable settings for Rundll32. The rundll32 command should only be run from the Command prompt running as administrator.<\/p>
What does Rundll32.exe Do?<\/strong><\/h2>Rundll32.exe is an executable file that allows applications to load their library code to run smoothly. No application can load the library code without this file. It acts as a gateway for all the apps to access libraries that allow them to perform multiple functions, including<\/p>
\n- Showing Windows and its objects for GUI<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Storing data in system memory<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Playing sounds using the system’s audio device and driver<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accessing accessories connected to the system and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>
What does the Windows host process Rundll32 Error mean?<\/strong><\/h2>‘Windows host process (rundll32) has stopped working’ error occurs whenever you try to access any program, such as while viewing the file properties or editing accounts from Mail options<\/strong> under Program and features<\/strong>. Some users have also reported that they encountered this error while printing the documents.<\/p>The error usually occurs due to a missing or corrupted Rundll32.exe file, improperly configured settings, or conflicting software. Even malware on your system may also cause the problem by using the same file name and disguising itself as Rundll32.<\/p>
How do I Fix the Rundll32 Error?<\/strong><\/h2>Certainly, Windows host process rundll32 is a problematic error that may occur without any warning. However, some fixes we’ve discussed here can help you remove this error. You can try them out and see which works best for you. Let’s start!<\/p>
#1 Disable Thumbnails in Folder Option Settings<\/strong><\/h3>If you get to see the error on accessing File properties, you can change the folder settings and disable thumbnails in the folder option\/file explorer settings. Follow the given steps:<\/p>
\n- Press Windows + S<\/strong> to access Windows Search and open the Control Panel <\/strong>from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There, click the Folder option or File Explorer Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"select-file-explorer-options\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-file-explorer-options.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- On the File Explorer Options<\/strong> window, go to the View <\/strong>tab and then select Always show icons, never thumbnails > Apply > OK.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"select-always-show-icons-never-thumbnails\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-always-show-icons-never-thumbnails.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- Once done, reboot your system and re-try to access File properties<\/strong> to see if the error persists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#2 Run File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/strong><\/h3>If you keep getting the Rundll error while accessing files and folders despite disabling thumbnail options, you can run File and Folder Troubleshooter with the following steps:<\/p>
\n- Download File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/a> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open the file and select Advanced<\/strong> on the troubleshooting window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"select-Advanced-on-file-and-folder-troubleshooter\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-Advanced-on-file-and-folder-troubleshooter.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- ON selecting Advanced<\/strong>, it will show Apply repairs automatically<\/strong>. Click Next<\/strong> to proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"choose-apply-repairs-automatically-and-click-next\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/choose-apply-repairs-automatically-and-click-next.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- On the next prompt, either select the relevant option for you or select all and click Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"select-the-boxes-describing-your-problems-and-click-next\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-the-boxes-describing-your-problems-and-click-next.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- The troubleshooting utility will start resolving the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"troubleshooting-process-will-start\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/troubleshooting-process-will-start.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Apply the fixes it suggests and close the window. Finally, restart the system to see if the rundll32 not responding is solved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#3 Perform Clean Boot<\/strong><\/h3>If you’re having issues with some third-party app\/programs or service, you can try to boot your system in clean boot. The Clean Boot environment is where Windows starts with a minimal set of drivers, and startup apps\/programs\/software so you can pinpoint which background program or service is indeed causing issues. To perform a clean boot, you can follow the given steps:<\/p>
\n- Go to Windows Search by pressing Windows + S<\/strong> and then open System Configurations<\/strong> from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Next, move to the Services<\/strong> tab and then click Hide all Microsoft services > Apply > OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"select-hide-all-microsoft-services-then-click-ok\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-hide-all-microsoft-services-then-click-ok.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- Now, go to the Startup<\/strong> tab and click Open Task Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"open-task-manager-from-startup-tab\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/open-task-manager-from-startup-tab.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- Select the third-party startup services\/programs and click Disable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"select-the-program-and-click-disable\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-the-program-and-click-disable.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- Now, close Task Manager<\/strong> and click OK<\/strong> on the Startup<\/strong> tab to complete the process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Now, reboot your system and see if the error occurs. You can also uninstall the software\/service from your system if you seldom use it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>
#4 Run SFC Scan<\/strong><\/h3>Corrupted, missing, or damaged system files, such as Rundll32.exe can cause this error. You can take the help of the System File Checker utility. It is a Windows built-in troubleshooting utility to remove the corrupted or damaged versions of system files and replace them with the correct ones, thus solving the issue. To do so, follow the below steps:<\/p>
\n- Open and run Command Prompt as administrator from Windows Search.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"run-command-prompt-as-administrator\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/run-command-prompt-as-administrator-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- In the elevated cmd Window, type sfc\/scannow<\/strong> and hit Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"run](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/run-sfc-scannow-command-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- The process will take a few minutes to complete. Wait until it’s done. Once completed, see if there are any further instructions to follow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Finally, reboot the system and check if the problem has been resolved.<\/p>
What does the Windows host process Rundll32 Error mean?<\/strong><\/h2>‘Windows host process (rundll32) has stopped working’ error occurs whenever you try to access any program, such as while viewing the file properties or editing accounts from Mail options<\/strong> under Program and features<\/strong>. Some users have also reported that they encountered this error while printing the documents.<\/p>The error usually occurs due to a missing or corrupted Rundll32.exe file, improperly configured settings, or conflicting software. Even malware on your system may also cause the problem by using the same file name and disguising itself as Rundll32.<\/p>
How do I Fix the Rundll32 Error?<\/strong><\/h2>Certainly, Windows host process rundll32 is a problematic error that may occur without any warning. However, some fixes we’ve discussed here can help you remove this error. You can try them out and see which works best for you. Let’s start!<\/p>
#1 Disable Thumbnails in Folder Option Settings<\/strong><\/h3>If you get to see the error on accessing File properties, you can change the folder settings and disable thumbnails in the folder option\/file explorer settings. Follow the given steps:<\/p>
\n- Press Windows + S<\/strong> to access Windows Search and open the Control Panel <\/strong>from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There, click the Folder option or File Explorer Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- On the File Explorer Options<\/strong> window, go to the View <\/strong>tab and then select Always show icons, never thumbnails > Apply > OK.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Once done, reboot your system and re-try to access File properties<\/strong> to see if the error persists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#2 Run File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/strong><\/h3>If you keep getting the Rundll error while accessing files and folders despite disabling thumbnail options, you can run File and Folder Troubleshooter with the following steps:<\/p>
\n- Download File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/a> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open the file and select Advanced<\/strong> on the troubleshooting window.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- ON selecting Advanced<\/strong>, it will show Apply repairs automatically<\/strong>. Click Next<\/strong> to proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- On the next prompt, either select the relevant option for you or select all and click Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- The troubleshooting utility will start resolving the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Apply the fixes it suggests and close the window. Finally, restart the system to see if the rundll32 not responding is solved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#3 Perform Clean Boot<\/strong><\/h3>If you’re having issues with some third-party app\/programs or service, you can try to boot your system in clean boot. The Clean Boot environment is where Windows starts with a minimal set of drivers, and startup apps\/programs\/software so you can pinpoint which background program or service is indeed causing issues. To perform a clean boot, you can follow the given steps:<\/p>
\n- Go to Windows Search by pressing Windows + S<\/strong> and then open System Configurations<\/strong> from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Next, move to the Services<\/strong> tab and then click Hide all Microsoft services > Apply > OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Now, go to the Startup<\/strong> tab and click Open Task Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Select the third-party startup services\/programs and click Disable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Now, close Task Manager<\/strong> and click OK<\/strong> on the Startup<\/strong> tab to complete the process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Now, reboot your system and see if the error occurs. You can also uninstall the software\/service from your system if you seldom use it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>
#4 Run SFC Scan<\/strong><\/h3>Corrupted, missing, or damaged system files, such as Rundll32.exe can cause this error. You can take the help of the System File Checker utility. It is a Windows built-in troubleshooting utility to remove the corrupted or damaged versions of system files and replace them with the correct ones, thus solving the issue. To do so, follow the below steps:<\/p>
\n- Open and run Command Prompt as administrator from Windows Search.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- In the elevated cmd Window, type sfc\/scannow<\/strong> and hit Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- The process will take a few minutes to complete. Wait until it’s done. Once completed, see if there are any further instructions to follow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Finally, reboot the system and check if the problem has been resolved.<\/p>
The error usually occurs due to a missing or corrupted Rundll32.exe file, improperly configured settings, or conflicting software. Even malware on your system may also cause the problem by using the same file name and disguising itself as Rundll32.<\/p>
How do I Fix the Rundll32 Error?<\/strong><\/h2>Certainly, Windows host process rundll32 is a problematic error that may occur without any warning. However, some fixes we’ve discussed here can help you remove this error. You can try them out and see which works best for you. Let’s start!<\/p>
#1 Disable Thumbnails in Folder Option Settings<\/strong><\/h3>If you get to see the error on accessing File properties, you can change the folder settings and disable thumbnails in the folder option\/file explorer settings. Follow the given steps:<\/p>
\n- Press Windows + S<\/strong> to access Windows Search and open the Control Panel <\/strong>from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There, click the Folder option or File Explorer Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- On the File Explorer Options<\/strong> window, go to the View <\/strong>tab and then select Always show icons, never thumbnails > Apply > OK.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Once done, reboot your system and re-try to access File properties<\/strong> to see if the error persists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#2 Run File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/strong><\/h3>If you keep getting the Rundll error while accessing files and folders despite disabling thumbnail options, you can run File and Folder Troubleshooter with the following steps:<\/p>
\n- Download File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/a> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open the file and select Advanced<\/strong> on the troubleshooting window.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- ON selecting Advanced<\/strong>, it will show Apply repairs automatically<\/strong>. Click Next<\/strong> to proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- On the next prompt, either select the relevant option for you or select all and click Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- The troubleshooting utility will start resolving the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Apply the fixes it suggests and close the window. Finally, restart the system to see if the rundll32 not responding is solved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#3 Perform Clean Boot<\/strong><\/h3>If you’re having issues with some third-party app\/programs or service, you can try to boot your system in clean boot. The Clean Boot environment is where Windows starts with a minimal set of drivers, and startup apps\/programs\/software so you can pinpoint which background program or service is indeed causing issues. To perform a clean boot, you can follow the given steps:<\/p>
\n- Go to Windows Search by pressing Windows + S<\/strong> and then open System Configurations<\/strong> from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Next, move to the Services<\/strong> tab and then click Hide all Microsoft services > Apply > OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Now, go to the Startup<\/strong> tab and click Open Task Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Select the third-party startup services\/programs and click Disable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- Now, close Task Manager<\/strong> and click OK<\/strong> on the Startup<\/strong> tab to complete the process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Now, reboot your system and see if the error occurs. You can also uninstall the software\/service from your system if you seldom use it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>
#4 Run SFC Scan<\/strong><\/h3>Corrupted, missing, or damaged system files, such as Rundll32.exe can cause this error. You can take the help of the System File Checker utility. It is a Windows built-in troubleshooting utility to remove the corrupted or damaged versions of system files and replace them with the correct ones, thus solving the issue. To do so, follow the below steps:<\/p>
\n- Open and run Command Prompt as administrator from Windows Search.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- In the elevated cmd Window, type sfc\/scannow<\/strong> and hit Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
\n- The process will take a few minutes to complete. Wait until it’s done. Once completed, see if there are any further instructions to follow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Finally, reboot the system and check if the problem has been resolved.<\/p>
If you get to see the error on accessing File properties, you can change the folder settings and disable thumbnails in the folder option\/file explorer settings. Follow the given steps:<\/p>
- \n
- Press Windows + S<\/strong> to access Windows Search and open the Control Panel <\/strong>from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There, click the Folder option or File Explorer Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/figure>- \n
- On the File Explorer Options<\/strong> window, go to the View <\/strong>tab and then select Always show icons, never thumbnails > Apply > OK.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- Once done, reboot your system and re-try to access File properties<\/strong> to see if the error persists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#2 Run File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/strong><\/h3>
If you keep getting the Rundll error while accessing files and folders despite disabling thumbnail options, you can run File and Folder Troubleshooter with the following steps:<\/p>
- \n
- Download File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/a> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Open the file and select Advanced<\/strong> on the troubleshooting window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/figure>- \n
- ON selecting Advanced<\/strong>, it will show Apply repairs automatically<\/strong>. Click Next<\/strong> to proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- On the next prompt, either select the relevant option for you or select all and click Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- The troubleshooting utility will start resolving the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Apply the fixes it suggests and close the window. Finally, restart the system to see if the rundll32 not responding is solved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
#3 Perform Clean Boot<\/strong><\/h3>
If you’re having issues with some third-party app\/programs or service, you can try to boot your system in clean boot. The Clean Boot environment is where Windows starts with a minimal set of drivers, and startup apps\/programs\/software so you can pinpoint which background program or service is indeed causing issues. To perform a clean boot, you can follow the given steps:<\/p>
- \n
- Go to Windows Search by pressing Windows + S<\/strong> and then open System Configurations<\/strong> from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Next, move to the Services<\/strong> tab and then click Hide all Microsoft services > Apply > OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/figure>- \n
- Now, go to the Startup<\/strong> tab and click Open Task Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- Select the third-party startup services\/programs and click Disable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- Now, close Task Manager<\/strong> and click OK<\/strong> on the Startup<\/strong> tab to complete the process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Now, reboot your system and see if the error occurs. You can also uninstall the software\/service from your system if you seldom use it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>
#4 Run SFC Scan<\/strong><\/h3>
Corrupted, missing, or damaged system files, such as Rundll32.exe can cause this error. You can take the help of the System File Checker utility. It is a Windows built-in troubleshooting utility to remove the corrupted or damaged versions of system files and replace them with the correct ones, thus solving the issue. To do so, follow the below steps:<\/p>
- \n
- Open and run Command Prompt as administrator from Windows Search.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- In the elevated cmd Window, type sfc\/scannow<\/strong> and hit Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/figure>
- \n
- The process will take a few minutes to complete. Wait until it’s done. Once completed, see if there are any further instructions to follow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Finally, reboot the system and check if the problem has been resolved.<\/p>
- The process will take a few minutes to complete. Wait until it’s done. Once completed, see if there are any further instructions to follow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- In the elevated cmd Window, type sfc\/scannow<\/strong> and hit Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Now, reboot your system and see if the error occurs. You can also uninstall the software\/service from your system if you seldom use it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Now, close Task Manager<\/strong> and click OK<\/strong> on the Startup<\/strong> tab to complete the process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select the third-party startup services\/programs and click Disable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Next, move to the Services<\/strong> tab and then click Hide all Microsoft services > Apply > OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Go to Windows Search by pressing Windows + S<\/strong> and then open System Configurations<\/strong> from there.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Apply the fixes it suggests and close the window. Finally, restart the system to see if the rundll32 not responding is solved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- The troubleshooting utility will start resolving the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- On the next prompt, either select the relevant option for you or select all and click Next<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Open the file and select Advanced<\/strong> on the troubleshooting window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Download File and Folder Troubleshooter<\/a> from Microsoft’s official site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Once done, reboot your system and re-try to access File properties<\/strong> to see if the error persists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- There, click the Folder option or File Explorer Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"run-bcdedit.exe](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/run-bcdedit.exe-set-current-nx-AlwaysOff-command.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"run-bcdedit.exe-set-current-nx-AlwaysOn-command\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/run-bcdedit.exe-set-current-nx-AlwaysOn-command.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"open-device-manager-from-start\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/open-device-manager-from-start.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"select-update-driver\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-update-driver.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"search-automatically-for-drivers\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/search-automatically-for-drivers.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"open-drivers-properties\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/open-drivers-properties.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"roll-back-driver\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/roll-back-driver.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"virus-and-threat-protection\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/virus-and-threat-protection.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"select-scan-options\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/select-scan-options.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"microsoft-defender-offline-scan\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/microsoft-defender-offline-scan.jpg\")
<\/figure>