File Explorer is a very important part of the Windows operating system. Not just on Windows, but File Explorer or Manager is something you need to access your files for.
Users can access their saved files by opening the file explorer on Windows. However, many Windows users have been experiencing issues with File Explorer recently.
Several users have reported that the Windows file explorer crashes and displays the error message ‘NTDLL.DLL’. The file explorer crash is accompanied by the NTDLL.DLL message, preventing users from using the file explorer.
If you are a Windows user and have recently faced the same problem, continue reading the guide. The File Explorer NTDLL.dll crashes problem in Windows appears due to various reasons. The reasons can range from compatibility issues to operating system bugs.
Fix File Explorer NTDLL.dll crashes in Windows
The good thing is that the File Explorer NTDLL.dll crash error message can be easily resolved by following some methods that we have shared below. Here’s how fix Windows file explorer crashing issue.
1. Restart your computer
The first thing to do if your file explorer crashes out of the blue is to restart your PC. Restarting your PC will terminate all background apps, processes, and services, which may resolve the file explorer issue.
To restart your Windows PC, click the Windows Start button and click Power Options. Select ‘Restart’ in the power options. After rebooting, start using your PC normally; you will not encounter the File Explorer NTDLL.dll error if it appears due to background apps or processes.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
If restarting the PC did not help, then you need to restart your Windows Explorer. Many Windows users on Microsoft Forum claimed to solve the File Explorer NTDLL.dll error message by restarting the Windows Explorer from the Task Manager. Here’s what to do.
1. First click on Find Windows and type Task Manager. Then open the Task Manager app from the list.
2. In Task Manager, switch to the processes tab.
3. Now file Windows Explorer. Right click on it and select ‘Restarting‘. Or select Windows Explorer and select ‘Restart job‘ in the upper right corner.
That is it! Your screen will go black for a second. This confirms that the file explorer has been restarted on Windows.
3. Update your graphics drivers
The ntdll.dll is a very important file and it is responsible for the timing, threading, messaging and synchronization of the operating system. Outdated graphics drivers are often a reason for File Explorer ntdll.dll crashing errors. Therefore, you need to update your graphics driver to solve the problem.
1. First click on Search Windows 11 and type in Device administrator. Then open the Device Manager app from the list.
2. When Device Manager opens, expand it Display adapters.
3. Now right click on your graphics adapter and select ‘Update driver‘.
4. At the Update Driver prompt, select ‘Automatically search for the drivers‘.
That is it! You must follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process.
4. Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter
A system maintenance troubleshooter is a very important tool that can solve most of the Windows problems. It is part of Windows OS, but few users know about it. Here’s how to run the System Maintenance troubleshooter on Windows.
1. First click on Find Windows and type System maintenance. Select ‘Perform recommended maintenance automatically‘.
2. This will open it System maintenance troubleshooter. Click the Next one knob.
3. Now the system maintenance troubleshooter will run and find the problem. You can also try running this troubleshooter as a administrator.
You must follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system maintenance troubleshooting process. Once done, restart your Windows PC.
5. Clear the file explorer history
File explorer corrupted history is another prominent reason for file explorer ntdll.dll error message. Therefore, you can clear the file explorer history to solve the problem. Here’s what to do.
1. Click Windows Search and type File Explorer Options.
2. Then open it Explorer options from the list of matching results.
3. In the File Explorer options, switch to the General tab.
4. In the Privacy section, tap the Clearly knob. When you’re done, click the OK button to close the file explorer options.
That is it! It is that easy to clear the file explorer options on the Windows operating system.
6. Perform a clean boot
Let’s say you have about 40-50 programs installed on your computer. Some apps can run in the background even when you’re not actively using them. In that case it is recommended to perform a clean boot.
Clean boot means that all third-party software is disabled at startup. This way, when you restart your PC, only those Microsoft services that are important for the proper functioning of a PC will run. Here’s how to perform a clean boot.
1. Click Windows Search and type msconfig. Then open the System Configuration app from the list.
2. In the system configuration, switch to the Services tab.
3. Then check the Hide all Microsoft services option in the lower left corner.
4. When you are done, click the Turn off everything button in the lower right corner. After making the changes, close the System Configuration window.
That is it! Now restart your Windows computer. This should solve the File Explorer NTDll.dll crashing problem on Windows.
7. Run the SFC command
If you still get the error then it is best to run the SFC command. SFC or System File Checker is a very important tool of Windows that scans and repairs corrupted Windows files. Here’s how to run it.
1. Click on search windows and type command prompt. Then right-click on the command prompt and select ‘Run as administrator‘.
2. When the Command Prompt opens, run the given command:
sfc /scannow
3. Now wait patiently for the scan to complete. When you’re done, restart your computer.
That is it! It’s that easy to run the System File Checker tool on Windows. This should fix file explorer crashing on Windows.
8. Update your Windows operating system
Updating the operating system is an evergreen way to fix various system-related issues. Chances are that the File Explorer NTDll.dll crashing problem is a result of a glitch or bug that is only present in the version of Windows you are using.
While there’s not much you can do here to confirm if it’s a bug, glitch, or some other issue, you’ll need to update the operating system.
An updated operating system has many benefits. You can use new features, rule out the incompatibility issue, etc. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates to update the Windows operating system. This will automatically check and install the latest version of Windows on your PC.
So, these are the working methods to fix File Explorer NTDLL.dll crashing issue. If you need more help troubleshooting this issue, let us know in the comments. And if the article helped you, share it with your friends.
