Fix: Win32Bridge Server Problem – Incorrect Function

You may get the Win32Bridge problem due to the corrupt installation of the Cortana application. Moreover, the corrupt installation of Windows may also result in the error at hand.

Then user encounters the error message when he boots into his system (mainly after a Windows update) but in some cases, it occurred when a user installed/runs a utility like iTunes or Glary App. For some of the users, it resulted in a BSOD.

Solution 1: Repair or Reset the Cortana Application to Defaults

You may encounter the Win32Bridge problem if the Cortana installation is corrupt. In this context, repairing or resetting the Cortana application to defaults may solve the problem.

1. Hit the Windows key and type Cortana. Then, in the list of results, right-click on Cortana and select the App Settings.

   

2. Now scroll down and click on the Repair button (in the Reset section).

   

3. Then reboot your PC and check if it is clear of the Win32Bridge problem.
4. If not, then repeat step 1 to open the App Settings of Cortana and then click on the Reset button (keep in mind, all the application data will be erased).

   

5. Now reboot your PC and check if the Win32Bridge problem is solved.

Solution 2: Disable or Remove the Cortana Application

If resetting the Cortana application did not do the trick for you, then disabling Cortana at the system startup or removing it may solve the problem (if you are one of the users who do not use Cortana or Cortana is not available to you due to the geographic restrictions).

1. Hit the Windows key and type Cortana. Then, in the results, right-click on Cortana and select App Settings.
2. Then toggle the switch of Runs at Log-in to the Off position.

   

3. Now, right-click on the system’s Taskbar, and in the resulting menu, select the Task Manager.

   

4. Then navigate to the Startup tab and right-click on Cortana. Now select Disable and then reboot your PC.

   

5. Then check if the Win32Bridge issue is resolved.
6. If not, then check if removing the Cortana solves the problem.

Solution 3: Use SFC & DISM Commands

You may encounter the Win34Bridge problem if the files essential for the operation of your system are corrupt. In this context, performing the SFC & DISM scans may clear the files’ corruption and thus solve the problem. But keep in mind that these commands may take some time to complete, so, try them when you can spare your system for plenty of time.

1. Perform an SFC scan of your system and check if the issue is resolved.
2. If not, then check if using the DISM command resolves the issue.

Solution 4: Remove the Buggy Update

Microsoft has a history of releasing buggy updates and the Win32Bridge problem could also be the result of a buggy update. In this case, removing the buggy update may solve the problem.

1. Hit the Windows key and open Settings.
2. Then select Update & Security and in the right half of the window, open View Update History.

   

3. Now click on Uninstall Updates (near the top of the window) and then select the update.

   

4. Then click on Uninstall to remove the update and check if the Win32Bridge problem is solved.

If you have started to encounter the issue after a feature update, then you may have to revert to an older version of Windows 10.

1. Open Update & Security (as discussed above, in steps 1 to 2) and then, in the left half of the windows, choose Recovery.
2. Then, in the right half, choose to Get Started (just under Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows 10) and then follow the prompts to complete the revert process.

   

3. Now check if your system is clear of the Win32Bridge problem.

If so, then you may try the following commands in an Elevated Command Prompt and then retry the updates to check if the issue was caused by a corrupt update installation.

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

Solution 5: Perform an In-Place Upgrade

If the issue persists, then performing an in-place upgrade of your system may solve the problem. But do not forget to select the option of Keep Files and Applications (whenever asked during the upgrade process). But before attempting that, it will be a good idea to check if performing a system restore resolves the issue.

1. Create a system restore point, just in case.
2. Now launch a web browser and steer to the Windows 10 page of the Microsoft website.
3. Now, under Create Windows 10 Installation Media, click on Download Tool Now.

   

4. After completion of the download, launch the downloaded file as administrator and “Accept the License Agreement” (when prompted).

   

5. Then select Upgrade This PC Now and follow the prompts to complete the upgrade process.
6. Then check if your PC is clear of the Win32Bridge problem.
7. If not, repeat Step 3 to launch the downloaded file as administrator and select the option of Installation Media for Another PC.

   

8. On the next screen, choose ISO and let the download complete.

   

9. Then extract the ISO file and open the extracted folder.
10. In the folder, right-click on Setup.exe and select Run as Administrator.

    

11. Then follow the prompts to complete the upgrade process and check if the Win32Bridge issue is resolved.
12. If not, then you may have to create a bootable USB with the ISO file downloaded at step 8. Now use it to perform the in-place upgrade and hopefully, the Win32Bridge problem is solved.