After installing the Windows 11 update KB5034765 released on February 13, 2024, in some environments, the message "explorer.exe - Application Error" may appear and the PC may freeze when shutting down or restarting.
Microsoft has stated that it has fixed the explorer.exe error, but it appears that it has not been fixed completely.
Recently, we received a comment from a user saying that after connecting an Xbox Wireless Controller + USB-C via a wired connection, they started getting an "explorer.exe - Application Error."
The error appears whether the controller is connected or disconnected, but if you start up the computer without connecting the controller and then shut down or restart the computer, the error does not appear.
This error also appears to occur in Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2, and is caused by the Explorer.exe process accessing memory that has already been released during the shutdown process.
2024 / 02 / 21:
There does not appear to be any correlation between "Xbox Accessory Management Service" (a service that manages connected Xbox accessories) or whether fast startup is enabled or disabled and "explorer.exe - Application Error."
If the problem is what Microsoft says, "This occurs because memory that has already been freed is being accessed," then the root cause is likely a programming error.
Continuing to access memory that has already been freed can cause a memory leak (a gradual decrease in the amount of memory available to programs) and freeze your PC.
Also, if there is unsaved data at this time, the data may be corrupted.
If you are using a gamepad (controller) and have not installed KB5034765, we recommend that you wait a while to see what happens.
The error does not seem to occur in environments where a gamepad (controller) is not being used, but I hope Microsoft will address this issue as soon as possible.
Win11 Solved! KB5034765 Desktop and taskbar display is slow
postscript:
There is also information that the error will not occur if you connect the controller wirelessly instead of with a cable.
The current possible cause is the explorer.exe itself or the system file "explorerframe.dllThere may be a problem (programming error) with the file ".
* Explorer will not work if "ExplorerFrame.dll" is not present.
KB5034204 and KB5034765 update both "explorer.exe" and "ExplorerFrame.dll" to newer versions, so this is a strong possibility.
Information from users:
- Fast startup is disabled and enabled, both of which result in an error when shutting down or restarting.
- If the controller is powered off (but is recognized in Device Manager), and you shut down and restart the computer with the controller still connected or disconnected, the error will not occur.
- Turning the power on or keeping it on triggers the error
2024 / 03 / 01:
reddit.com According to user comments, the cause of "explorer.exe - Application Error" appears to be "GameInput Service".
There are two "GameInput Services", and it appears that the newer service is the cause.
"GameInput Service (Enables keyboards, mice, gamepads, and other input devices to be used with the GameInput API.)"
Google Translate: "GameInput Service (allows keyboards, mice, gamepads, and other input devices to be used with the GameInput API)"
"GameInput Service (Enables keyboards, mice, gamepads, and other input devices to be used with the GameInput API.)" is set to "Manual" by default, so the service will probably start when you connect (turn on) a gamepad (controller).
If this "GameInput Service" is started and you shut down or restart the computer while the gamepad (controller) is still turned on, an "explorer.exe - Application Error" message appears.
According to users, stopping the "GameInput Service" and setting it to "Disabled" will fix the "explorer.exe - Application Error" issue.
However, disabling the GameInput Service may cause some controllers to stop working properly, so until Microsoft fixes it, you may be able to avoid the error by stopping the GameInput Service before shutting down or restarting your computer.
By creating a batch file and running it as an administrator, you can easily stop the "GameInput Service" and then restart or shut down the system.
What is a batch file? How to create and run a batch file
Command to stop "GameInput Service":
sc stop GameInputSvcReboot command:
Shutdown /r /t 0Shutdown command:
Shutdown /s /t 0For example, the command to stop and restart the "GameInput Service" would be as follows:
sc stop GameInputSvc
Shutdown /r /t 0Please see the information provided by users who have implemented the workaround.
Comment: (Chino – March 6, 2024, 2:35 AM)
2024 / 03 / 25:
We have received new information from our users. (Thank you for the information.)
- If you switch to "DirectInput" using a controller that can switch between "XInput" and "DirectInput," the "explorer.exe - Application Error" message does not appear when shutting down.
- Switching from "XInput" to "DirectInput" seems to have the same effect as disconnecting the Xbox gamepad.
- The "GameInput Service" will not stop automatically even if you switch from "XInput" to "DirectInput" or turn off a switch-type USB hub.
From the above, it appears that this problem is caused by Windows 11 recognizing that an Xbox controller is connected.
