How to Fix Explorer.exe Error at Shutdown on Windows 11?

Ever faced the situation when you’re shutting down your Windows 11 PC, only for a pesky “Explorer.exe – Application Error” to pop up? You know the one: “The instruction at [memory address] referenced memory at [another memory address].

The memory could not be ‘read’ or ‘written’.” It’s like your computer wants to tell you something at the last minute but just ends up throwing a digital error.

You’re not alone, and it’s not a good look for an otherwise smooth shutdown experience. While it often doesn’t stop your PC from powering off, this persistent Explorer.exe error can be unsettling.

But don’t worry, I’m here, and we’re going to dive deep into what causes this frustrating Explorer.exe error and, more importantly, how to banish it from your Windows 11 device for good.

Is Your Windows 11 Saying Goodbye with an “Explorer.exe Error”? Here’s How to Fix It!

Why Does the Explorer.exe Error Appear?

Before we jump into the fixes, let’s briefly understand what’s happening. Explorer.exe is the process that controls your Windows graphical shell – everything from your desktop, taskbar, and File Explorer itself.

When you see this Explorer.exe error during shutdown, it usually means that Explorer.exe is trying to access a piece of memory that has already been cleared or is no longer available as the system prepares to power down.

So, why does this memory access issue occur specifically during shutdown? It often boils down to:

• Lingering Processes or Services: Sometimes, a program or service hasn’t fully shut down by the time Explorer.exe is tidying up, leading to a conflict.
• Corrupted System Files: Windows relies on many interconnected files. If some of these related to Explorer.exe or the shutdown process become corrupted, it can lead to instability.
• Outdated or Conflicting Drivers: Drivers act as translators between your hardware and software. An old or buggy driver can cause unexpected behavior, including this Explorer.exe error.
• Gaming Input Services (The Sneaky One!): This is a surprisingly common culprit, as many users have discovered. Services related to gaming peripherals, particularly the “GameInput Service,” can sometimes interfere with the shutdown sequence.

Now that we’ve got a clearer picture, let’s roll up our sleeves and tackle this Explorer.exe error.

A Step-by-Step Guide to a Smooth Shutdown

We’re going to start with the most common and effective solutions and work our way through. Remember to restart your PC after each major step to check if the issue is resolved.

1. Disabling the “GameInput Service”

This is often the reason for many users experiencing the Explorer.exe error at shutdown. If you’re a gamer or have ever connected an Xbox controller or other gaming devices to your PC, this is the first place to look.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter. This will open the Services window.

3. Scroll down the list until you find “GameInput Service.”

4. Right-click on “GameInput Service” and select “Properties.”
5. In the “Startup type” dropdown menu, select “Disabled.”

6. If the “Service status” shows “Running,” click the “Stop” button.
7. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
8. Restart your computer and check if the Explorer.exe error is gone.

Many users have reported that this single step resolved their issue completely!

2. SFC and DISM Scans

Windows has built-in tools designed to fix system file corruption, which can be a significant cause of the Explorer.exe error. These are your first line of defense against corrupted Windows files.

Running the System File Checker (SFC):

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).” This opens an elevated command prompt.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

2. Let the scan complete. It will check for and attempt to repair any corrupted Windows system files.
3. Once finished, you might see messages like “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations” (good!) or “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them” (also good!).

Running Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Commands:

If SFC found issues it couldn’t fix, or even if it didn’t, running DISM commands is a powerful follow-up. These commands can repair your Windows image, providing a healthier source for SFC to work with.

1. Open “Terminal (Admin)” again (as described above).
2. Enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each, and waiting for each to complete:
   • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth (This checks for any corruption.)
   • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth (This repairs any detected corruption.)

3. After both commands have finished, restart your PC.

These scans are crucial for maintaining system integrity and often resolve deep-seated issues that lead to an Explorer.exe error.

3. Restarting Windows Explorer

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Explorer.exe can sometimes get into a bad state during a long session. A quick restart of the process itself might clear the temporary glitch.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. If it’s in compact mode, click “More details.”
3. Under the “Processes” tab, scroll down until you find “Windows Explorer.”
4. Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and select “Restart.”

5. Your desktop and taskbar will briefly disappear and then reappear. Try shutting down your PC normally after this.

4. Clearing File Explorer Cache and History

An overloaded or corrupted File Explorer cache can sometimes cause performance issues and even errors like the Explorer.exe error. Clearing it out is a quick step.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the three dots (…) in the toolbar at the top (or “View” then “Options” in older versions).

3. Select “Options” to open “Folder Options.”

4. In the “General” tab, under the “Privacy” section, click the “Clear” button next to “Clear File Explorer history.”

5. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
6. Restart your computer.

5. Update and Reinstall

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers, in particular, have been linked to the Explorer.exe error at shutdown. Ensuring all your drivers are current is good practice anyway.

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand “Display adapters.”
3. Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD Radeon, Intel Graphics) and select “Update driver.”

4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”

5. If Windows doesn’t find a newer driver, it’s a good idea to visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) directly and download the latest driver for your specific model.
6. You might also consider uninstalling the current display driver (by selecting “Uninstall device” in Device Manager) and then reinstalling a fresh copy from the manufacturer’s website. This ensures a clean installation.
7. While you’re there, check other critical drivers like the chipset and network adapters for updates.

6. Keep Windows Updated

Microsoft regularly releases updates that include bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility enhancements. A known Explorer.exe error might already have a patch waiting for you.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to “Windows Update.”
3. Click “Check for updates.”

4. Download and install any available updates.
5. Restart your PC as prompted.

Pro Tips for a Healthier Windows 11

• Review Startup Programs: Too many programs launching with Windows can slow down your PC and potentially interfere with shutdown. Use Task Manager (Startup tab) to disable unnecessary startup items.
• Scan for Malware: While less common for this specific Explorer.exe error, malware can cause unpredictable system behavior. Run a full scan with your antivirus software.
• Monitor Event Viewer: For the more technically curious, Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) can provide more detailed logs about system errors. Look under “Windows Logs” -> “Application” and “System” around the time of the shutdown error for more clues.

For easy understand you can refer this video:

Wrapping It Up

The Explorer.exe error at shutdown on Windows 11 can be an annoyance, but as you’ve seen, it’s often a solvable problem.

By systematically applying the troubleshooting steps, especially checking that “GameInput Service,” you’ll likely restore your Windows 11 to its smooth, error-free shutdown glory.

Keep your system tidy, your drivers updated, and your Windows installation fresh, and your PC will thank you with seamless performance, from startup to shutdown!