Guide on How to Deal With Windows 10, 11 dwm.exe Error

Windows 10, 11 dwm.exe error

In this article you will find out:

how to deal with this issue

how to protect your data

Are you ready? Let's read!

About This Issue

Dwm.exe is the main Windows 10, 11 process, otherwise known as the desktop window manager. When something is wrong with this process, if it gets damaged and starts working incorrectly, the monitor screen turns black. This can happen while playing a game, working with an application, etc. Although it is an important process, many users have reported problems with dwm.exe in Windows 10, 11. The dwm.exe Windows 10, 11 error may appear several times a day and may go away on its own. However, this affects the comfortable operation of the computer, therefore, it is recommended to fix it. Moreover, this system error can cause damage to your personal files.

Dwm.exe error fix

1. Work with Gamepad Software

If you've recently installed a new Xbox controller, you may well receive a dwm error. In this case, download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store and install any available firmware updates. Next, restart the game to check if the error persists.

You can also try replacing the controller, according to some users, this helps. If your controller is connected via USB, unplug it - that might also solve the problem.

2. Look For Viruses

Your computer may be infected with a virus or malware. If dwm.exe uses a lot of resources, this indicates that it is most likely a virus. Therefore, be sure to run a scan of your computer and remove any suspicious files. Any good third-party application or built-in Windows Defender will work for scanning your computer.

On the other hand, any antivirus can cause system errors and the dwm.exe Windows 10, 11 error as well. Therefore, if the system scan did not help, try uninstalling third-party antivirus programs. You can find out how to do it correctly on the official website of the application manufacturer.

3. Refresh Explorer Process

Another way to fix the situation is to restart explorer.exe.

To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open the Task Manager.

In the Details tab, find explorer.exe. Right-click it and select End Task.

After that, go to the File tab and select Run a new task.

These actions should reduce the resources used and thus fix the dwm.exe issue.

4. Turn Off Side Processes

Try to solve the problem by turning off the problematic services, namely the Skype Updater, Google Update, and Google Update (gupdatem) services.

So, press Windows Key + R and in the new window type services.msc, press Enter or OK.

You will be taken to the Services dialog box. Now just select the service you need by double-clicking the left mouse button and open the properties window. Change the Startup Type to Disabled and click Apply. Do this with all problematic services and check if the problem is gone.

5. Get Rid of mdi264.dll

You can delete the mdi264.dll file as follows:

Click the Start button, then hold Shift and click the Restart button.

The computer will restart, select the Troubleshoot option, then open Advanced options and finally click on Command Prompt.

When Command Prompt opens, you need to enter the following:

cd C:\Users\Your name here\App\Data\Local\Temp, press Enter.

del mdi264.dll, press Enter.

These steps will help you delete the problematic file. Then restart your computer in the usual way.

6. SFC and DISM

SFC scan and in addition to it DISM scan will enable you to deal with various kinds of system errors. Thus, you can fix the dwm.exe file and forget about the black screen on the monitor.

First, go to Search and type cmd. Open a command line as an administrator, then input the following command and press Enter:

sfc/scannow

The process will end after a while. Restart your computer and reopen the command prompt as administrator.

Input these two commands one after the other and press Enter after each:

DISM / online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth

DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth

This scan will take a little longer. When it finishes, restart your computer.

7. Troubleshooting

If the previous scan did not help, run the performance troubleshooter. This can be done with just one command. First Open a command prompt as administrator and enter the following command:

themsdt.exe / id Performance Diagnostics and press Enter.

After the process is complete, restart your computer and check if the dwm File error is still present.

8. Change Hardware Preferences

You can also turn off hardware acceleration in your Office programs to fix the problem you are experiencing.

To do this, open any Office application. In the taskbar, go to the File tab, select Options and click on Advanced.

Find the option for hardware acceleration, right-click it, and disable it.

If you cannot in this way disable hardware acceleration, you will have to open the registry editor and make changes there.

So, open Registry Editor and on the left pane navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office 16.0\General.

Next,right click on the shared key and select New and then Key. Enter the name of the new key - Graphics and select it with the right mouse button. Click on the button New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Next, name the new value DisableHardwareAcceleration and set it to 1. Save the changes and close the registry editor. Then check if the problem is resolved.

If you have previously used the automatic restoration of the system and created a restore point, now you can roll back your operating system to its normal state

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