Windows 10 Black Screen on login - Explorer.EXE is crashing

2

Problem

On logging in to Windows 10 after update, there is a black screen.

Ctrl + Alt + Del opens the task manager.

Research

From the Task Manager, we are able to run the Event Viewer thru File > Run > eventvwr.

The Event Viewer's Windows Logs show the following Application Error: 

Faulting application name: Explorer.EXE, VERSON 10.0.10586
Faulting module name: SHELL32.dll, version 10.0.10586.11
Exception code: 0x00000fd
Fault offset: 0x0014693e
Faulting process id: 0x1594
Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll

Also within the Task Manager > Process panel, Windows Explorer does not show as a running Process in the Task Manager.

We have tried to start Windows Explorer thru File > Run > explorer.exe.This does not fix the problem, though Windows Explorer does show in the Process panel of the Task Manager.

We have tried restarting in Safe Mode thru File > Run > msconfig > Boot > Safe Boot. This does allow Explorer to start.

Shaun Luttin

Posted 2015-11-30T18:05:53.317

Reputation: 1 911

1Does this behavior if you boot into safe mode? Based on the error, Windows Explorer is crashing, that indicates something is causing it to crash. – Ramhound – 2015-11-30T18:08:50.310

I will try to boot in safe mode. – Shaun Luttin – 2015-11-30T18:09:59.603

@Ramhound Safe mode lets Explorer open. Hmm. Now what? – Shaun Luttin – 2015-11-30T18:18:17.767

1

Determine which process that is automatically starting in normal boot configuration is causing Windows Explorer to crash. You can accomplish that by using a program like Autoruns, and force nothing but the bare essentials to launch, then work backwards until you find the culprit.

– Ramhound – 2015-11-30T18:21:01.940

Found it :) It was the OpenOffice QuickStart at C:\Program Files\OpenOffice.org 3\program\quickstart. https://wiki.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/OOoAuthors_User_Manual/Getting_Started/Using_the_Quickstarter_under_Windows

– Shaun Luttin – 2015-11-30T18:25:32.373

1Why are you putting the solution into the question itself? You should submit an answer. – Ramhound – 2015-12-01T12:37:28.510

Let us continue this discussion in chat.

– Shaun Luttin – 2015-12-01T16:57:12.317

Answers

1

I had added a desktop background image as my upgrade from Win7 had removed my old one. That seems to have caused the crash described (Faulting application name: Explorer.EXE, Faulting module name: SHELL32.dll) for my specific user. Removing the background image in safe mode (e.g. via a visibility enhancement for the visually impaired) cured that crash, setting a standard Microsoft image later caused the same problem again. I hope that helps!

Martin Riemer

Posted 2015-11-30T18:05:53.317

Reputation: 11

1

Use the Task Manager > Startup panel to disable the startup program that was causing Explorer to crash. In our case, this was the OpenOffice Quickstart.

Shaun Luttin

Posted 2015-11-30T18:05:53.317

Reputation: 1 911

Asked: 2015-11-30T18:05:53.317

Viewed: 7 468 times

Active: 2018-09-30T01:55:17.573