Windows Explorer Keeps Crashing or Restarting
Windows Explorer, also known as explorer.exe, controls several major parts of the Windows interface, including:
The taskbar
Start menu
Desktop
File Explorer
System tray
Desktop icons
If Explorer crashes or restarts repeatedly, you may notice the taskbar disappearing, desktop icons refreshing, File Explorer closing, or the screen briefly flashing.
Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer
Press:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
to open Task Manager.
Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select:
Restart
Your taskbar and desktop may briefly disappear while Explorer restarts.
This is normal.
Step 2: Restart Your PC
If Explorer continues crashing, perform a full Windows restart.
A temporary process, failed update, or background application may be interfering with Explorer.
Step 3: Repair Windows System Files
Corrupted Windows files can cause Explorer instability.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthAfter DISM completes, run:
sfc /scannowRestart your PC once both scans are complete.
Step 4: Check for Windows Updates
Open:
Settings → Windows Update
Install any available updates and restart your PC.
If the issue began immediately after a Windows update, note which update was installed before the problem started.
Step 5: Check Recently Installed Software
Explorer crashes can sometimes be caused by third-party software that integrates with Windows.
Examples include:
File management utilities
Context menu extensions
Archive software
RGB software
Desktop customization tools
Shell modification software
If the issue started immediately after installing or updating an application, temporarily uninstall or disable it and test again.
Step 6: Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot can help determine whether a third-party service or startup application is causing Explorer to crash.
If Explorer works normally during a clean boot, gradually re-enable services and startup applications until the issue returns.
See our How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows guide for instructions.
Step 7: Check Reliability Monitor
Windows Reliability Monitor can help identify when Explorer started crashing and what application or update may have caused it.
Search Windows for:
Reliability Monitor
Open View reliability history and look for red error icons around the time Explorer crashed.
Look for entries involving:
Windows Explorer
Explorer.exe
Windows Shell
Recently installed applications
Step 8: Test Safe Mode
If Explorer continues crashing, boot Windows into Safe Mode.
If the problem does not occur in Safe Mode, a third-party application, driver, or service may be responsible.
Still Having Problems?
If Windows Explorer continues restarting after completing these steps, the issue may involve:
Corrupted Windows files
A problematic driver
Third-party shell software
A recent Windows update
A damaged Windows user profile
If the issue started immediately after an EXM optimization, revert the most recent change and test again.