Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working Windows Server 2016

Hello Dev, welcome to our journal article on troubleshooting the “Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working” error on Windows Server 2016. This error can be frustrating and can cause disruption to your workflow, but fear not! We have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you resolve this issue and get your server up and running smoothly.

What is the Shell Infrastructure Host?

The Shell Infrastructure Host is a Windows process that is responsible for managing the visual elements of the operating system. This includes the taskbar, Start menu, and other graphical user interface (GUI) components. When this process crashes, you may encounter the “Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working” error message.

What Causes the Shell Infrastructure Host to Crash?

There are several reasons why the Shell Infrastructure Host may crash on your Windows Server 2016 system. Some common causes include:

How to Fix the Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working Error

Method 1: Restart the Shell Infrastructure Host Process

The first and simplest solution to try is to restart the Shell Infrastructure Host process. Here’s how:

1. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard.
2. Click “Task Manager”.
3. Locate the “Windows Explorer” process in the list, right-click it, and select “End task”.
4. Click “File” and select “Run new task”.
5. Type “explorer.exe” in the “Open” field, and click “OK”.

This should restart the Shell Infrastructure Host process and resolve the error. If not, continue to the next method.

Method 2: Run System File Checker

The System File Checker tool is a built-in Windows utility that can scan your system for corrupted or missing system files and repair them. To run this tool, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete, and restart your system.

If the scan finds any corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them automatically. After restarting your system, check if the error has been resolved. If not, continue to the next method.

Method 3: Perform a System Restore

If you recently made changes to your system that may have caused the error, such as installing new software or updates, you can use the System Restore feature to revert your system to a previous state. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start menu and type “system restore” in the search bar.
2. Select “Create a restore point”.
3. Click “System Restore”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and restore your system.

Note that this method will undo any changes made to your system since the selected restore point, so make sure to save any important files or data before proceeding.

Method 4: Perform a System Reset

If none of the above methods work, you may need to perform a system reset to reinstall Windows and start fresh. Before doing this, make sure to back up any important files or data, as this process will erase all data on your system drive. Here’s how:

1. Click the Start menu and select “Settings”.
2. Select “Update & security”.
3. Select “Recovery”.
4. Under “Reset this PC”, click “Get started”.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your system.

After the reset is complete, you will need to reinstall any software or drivers that were not included with Windows. Check if the error has been resolved.

Conclusion

The “Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working” error can be frustrating, but with the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve it and get your Windows Server 2016 system running smoothly once again. Remember to always back up your important files and data, and to keep your system up to date with the latest software and security updates.

FAQ

What is the Shell Infrastructure Host?

The Shell Infrastructure Host is a Windows process responsible for managing the visual elements of the operating system, such as the taskbar and Start menu.

What causes the Shell Infrastructure Host to crash?

The Shell Infrastructure Host may crash due to corrupt system files, incompatible software, or malware/virus infections.

How can I fix the “Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working” error?

You can try restarting the Shell Infrastructure Host process, running System File Checker, performing a system restore, or performing a system reset.