How to Fix Task Host Window Prevents Shut Down on Windows?

Task Host is a vital Windows system program that ensures all previously running programs are properly closed to prevent data and program corruption before a system shutdown. This function is crucial for maintaining the health of your system, as it safeguards against potential damage to programs and loss of data. For instance, if you have an unsaved document open in Notepad or Microsoft Word and attempt to shut down, Task Host will intervene to prevent abrupt termination, thus protecting your data.

How to Fix Task Host Window Prevents Shut Down on Windows?
How to Fix Task Host Window Prevents Shut Down on Windows?

It is recommended to close all running applications before initiating a shutdown or reboot. However, if you encounter the Task Host preventing you from shutting down even when no programs are running, it could be a sign of various issues, ranging from ongoing background processes to pending updates that require management. These could include:

  • Corrupt Windows Update – This error can occur from a Windows update that, for some reason, becomes corrupted after installation. To resolve this, you may need to uninstall certain Windows updates and apply common troubleshooting techniques.
  • Windows Update File Running in the Background – A file associated with installing Windows updates can prompt this issue if it runs in the background. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter can help end this task.
  • Notepad or Other Editor Software Running – The error often occurs due to unsaved work in Notepad or other editing software, such as a video editor that did not close properly, causing this issue.
  • Corrupted Windows Images – Corrupted system files can also prompt this error, which can be repaired by executing commands via the Command Prompt.
  • Enabled Third-Party Antivirus – If a third-party antivirus program is active, attempt to disable it as it may also be responsible for this error.

1. Close the Running Application and Perform a Shutdown

The simplest fix for this error is to close the application from Task Manager. Typically, unsaved work can cause the task host to generate an error message prompting you to close the application.

  1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Select the Notepad or your working application and click End Task.
    End Task Application
    End Task Applications
  3. Now, try shutting down your computer.

2. Turn off Fast Startup

The Fast Startup feature is intended to speed up the boot process by saving the system’s current state to disk. While helpful, it can interfere with the shutdown process. Disabling Fast Startup may resolve the Task Host issue.

  1. Click the Start Menu and type Control Panel.
    Open Control Panel
    Open Control Panel
  2. Open Control Panel, and navigate to Hardware and Sound\Power Options.
  3. Click Choose What The Power Button Does from the left side.
    Click Choose What The Power Button Does
    Click Choose What The Power Button Does
  4. Select Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable.
  5. Uncheck the option for Turn on Fast Startup.
  6. Click Save Changes.
    Changing Power Options Settings
    Changing Power Options Settings
  7. After making this change, restart your computer to see if the problem persists.

3. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The background Windows Update service may cause issues if it cannot be manually stopped or if updates are stuck. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter can help resolve this. The update file is located in the directory:

Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AutomaticAppUpdate
  1. Click the Start Menu and type Settings.
    Launch Settings
    Launch Settings
  2. Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security.
    Head to Windows Update Security
    Head to Windows Update Security
  3. Click Troubleshoot, then select Additional Troubleshooters.
    Click Additional Troubleshooters
    Click Additional Troubleshooters
  4. Choose the Windows Update troubleshooter and click Run The Troubleshooter.
  5. Once complete, restart your computer and verify if the issue has been resolved.

4. Uninstall Windows Updates

Sometimes corrupted Windows updates can trigger this error. If updates are stuck during installation and the PC is shut down, the Task Host error may appear. The solution is to uninstall the problematic updates.

  1. To uninstall a Windows Update, open the Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Programs and Features.
  3. Click View Installed UpdatesView Installed Updates
  4. Select pertinent updates, such as KB5012170 or KB5015730, if they are known to cause issues.
    Uninstalling Windows Update
    Uninstalling Windows Update
  5. After uninstalling the updates, type Check For Updates in the Start Menu.
  6. Open the settings and click Check For Updates.
    Checking For Windows Update
    Checking For Windows Update
  7. Download the updates, reinstall them, and restart your computer. Then, verify if the error has been corrected.

5. Clear the Software Distribution Folder

Clearing the Software Distribution folder, which holds the updates that Windows requires for installation, might resolve the error, particularly if the folder contains corrupted files.

  1. Proceed with the following steps to clear the Software Distribution folder:
  2. Click the Start Menu and type Command Prompt.
  3. Select Run as Administrator.
    Run CMD As Administrator
    Run CMD As Administrator
  4. Type the command to stop the Windows Update service:
    net stop wuauserv
  5. Press Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
  6. Type in the following directory and select OK:
    C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
    Opening Software Distribution Folder
    Opening Software Distribution Folder
  7. Select all files within that folder, right-click, and select Delete.
    Delete Software Distribution Files
    Delete Software Distribution Files
  8. Restart the Windows Update service with the command:
    net start wuauserv
  9. Run Windows Update, download, and install the updates.
  10. Afterward, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

6. Using the Registry Editor

Editing the WaitToKillServiceTimeout registry entry, which sets the duration services are given to shut down properly, could potentially resolve the issue.

It’s important to back up the registry before making changes, to ensure you can restore files if anything goes awry.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and select OK.
  3. Navigate to the following path:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Control
    Open WaitToKillServiceTimeout
    Open WaitToKillServiceTimeout
  4. Double-click WaitToKillServiceTimeout and change its value from 12000 to 2000.
    Changing Value Data
    Changing Value Data
  5. Click OK to apply the changes. If the error persists, navigate to the following path:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SYSTEM -> CurrentControlSet -> Services -> WpnUserService
  6. Double-click the Start entry on the right side and change its value to 4.
  7. Click OK, save the changes, and restart your computer. If the problem continues, go to:
    Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
  8. Right-click in the right pane, hover over New, and select String Value.
    Making a String Entry
    Making a String Entry
  9. Name it AutoEndTasks and change its value data from 0 to 1.
    Editing a String Value
    Editing a String Value
  10. After making these changes, click OK and verify if the issue is fixed.

7. Run DISM Commands

DISM, or Deployment Image Servicing and Management, is a suite of command-line tools that include commands for repairing, scanning, and restoring Windows images. If corrupted Windows components are causing the issue, executing the DISM commands could be beneficial.

  1. Type Command Prompt in the search bar.
  2. Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run As AdministratorOpening Command Prompt in Administrator ModeOpening Command Prompt in Administrator Mode
  3. Enter the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    Executing Repair Commands
    Executing Repair Commands
  4. Wait for the process to complete.
  5. Once finished, shut down your computer and see if the issue has been resolved.

8. Turn Off Third-Party Antivirus

If none of the above methods resolve the error, consider disabling any third-party antivirus software, as it may be interfering with the shutdown process by blocking critical files.

  1. Click on the Up Arrow icon at the bottom right of the taskbar.
  2. Right-click the antivirus icon and navigate to the shield control or disable option.
  3. Select to Disable for 10 Minutes or similar option.
    Disabling Third-Party Antivirus
    Disabling Third-Party Antivirus
  4. After disabling the antivirus, restart your computer to check if the error is fixed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamil Anwar


Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.