Task Host Window Is Stopping Background Tasks [Resolved]

Sometimes whenever you are trying to shut down your Windows 10 device an error message saying ‘Task Host Window is stopping background tasks’ might appear on the screen anytime. this error message probably appears when a task is unclosed. 

Numerous reasons can be responsible for this task host is stopping background tasks to occur. For example, in case the Fast Startup option is enabled, an issue with the Windows update and registry editor.

Also due to the conflict with the third-party software, corrupt system files might be considered as other valid reasons for the occurrence of this error message.

Solve Task Host Windows 10 Issue with Some Reliable Hacks:

You can easily overcome the situation by applying these easy techniques described below.

Solution 1 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

To fix the Task Host Window Is Stopping Background Tasks error, at first, you are suggested to run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

Following the below points in order to implement the task host is stopping background tasks windows 10 solution.

  1. Tap on the Start menu and choose Settings from the available options.
  2. Within the Settings, scroll down and select the Updates & Security option. Furthermore, click on the Troubleshoot option.
  3. From the available options, locate the Windows update troubleshooter and thereafter, run it.

Wait for the completion of the procedure. When finished exit from the page and reboot your Windows 10 and check the error status. 

If you are still unable to normally shut down your device, then have a look at the next remedy.

Solution 2 – Restart the Windows Update Service

According to some users, by restarting the Windows update service the issue can be resolved easily. This is quite an easy task. To perform it, first press the Windows and R keys together on the keyboard.

It will then open the Run dialog box. Now, type ‘ services.msc’ in the run field. Press the Enter key to open the Service Window. Under the Service tab, scroll down and find out the Windows update service.

Furthermore, right-click on the service. After that, tap on the Restart option. After rebooting, a check can you normally shut down your device or not. If not, then, here is another solution that you can try out.

Solution 3 – Turn off the Fast Startup 

Sometimes to fix the issue, you might have to disable the fast Startup feature. To do so, at first, press the Windows and S keys together. After that, type ‘control panel’ in the search field as well as hit the Enter key. 

Then, double-click on the first search result to open the Control Panel. Under the Command Prompt, scroll down and choose the Power option from the menu. 

On the next window, navigate to the left column and select the ‘choose what the power button does’ option. Thereafter, tap on the ‘change settings that are currently unavailable’ button.

Unmark the dialog box beside the ‘Turn on fast startup option. Then, tap on Save in order to save the changes. Once you have successfully disabled the Fast Startup feature, reboot your system.

Check if the issue still persists or not. If yes, then navigate to the next fixing techniques.

Solution 4- Check and Modify the Registry 

In case the Task Host window prevents you from the shutdown, then by editing the registry key, you can easily fix the error. However, before applying this solution, it is highly recommended to keep a backup of your registry.

To do so, just go to the File. Under File, scroll down and choose the Export option. Now, you have to set the Export range to All and enter a name. Furthermore, select a safe location as well as tap on the Save button. 

Once done, then check out the given steps.

Step 1:

In the beginning, open the Run dialog box . Once it opens, enter ‘regedit’ in the input field. Press the Enter key to open the Registry Editor window.

Under the Registry Editor window, move to the left panel and select ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control’ option. Thereafter, double-click on the ‘WaitToKillServicesTimeout’ button.

Step 2:

Here, set the value to 500 or less. Tap on OK in order to save the changes. Some of the users have also reported that by setting the Wait To Lill Service Timeout in the registry the issue can be fixed

For that, thoroughly see the below points.

  1. Open the Registry Editor and after that move to the HIKE_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.
  2. On the Right column, right-click on the empty space and select ‘New’ from the menu.
  3. Thereafter, click on the String Value option. Now, as per the name of the new string, type the WaitToKillServiceTimeout.
  4. Thereafter, double-click on the newly generated WaittoKillServiceTimeout in order to open its properties option.
  5. Here, set the value data to 2000 or less than that. Afterward, tap on OK and save the changes.

Once you have successfully made these changes, restart your Windows 10 device and if you are still dealing with the issue, then .. read on.

Solution 5- Use the SFC and DISM Tool

Occasionally, due to the corrupt files, you can come across this issue. In such a scenario, you might have to run the inbuilt Windows System File Checker.

For that, simultaneously press the Windows and X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the available options. In case you don’t see the Command Prompt, then use PowerShell as administrator.

Within the Command Prompt window, type ‘SFC/scan now and hit the Enter key in order to start the scanning procedure. Keep calm as the scanning procedure might take 15 to 20 minutes.

When finished, then check the error status. Unfortunately, if the issue is still there, then you are advised to run the DISM scan. For that, follow the given steps.

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
  2. Thereafter, type the following command. Next, press the Enter key to the commands.

       DISM/online/Cleanup-Image/Check Health

       DISM/Online/cleanup-Image/ScanHealth

       DISM/Online/cleanup-Image/Restorehealth

DISM will take some time to find and repair the corrupt system files. When finished, reboot your system and then see if the issue has been fixed or not.

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Solution 6 – Perform a Clean Boot

In order to perform a clean boot, disable all the startup apps as well as third-party services. Here are the steps that you can follow to implement the task. Therefore,

Step 1:

Press the Windows and R keys together to open the Run dialog box. Next, enter ‘MSConfig’ in the given field. Hit the Enter key.

Now, the System Configuration window will appear on the display. Here, scroll down and select the Service tab.

Step 2:

Under the Service tab, select the ‘Hide all Microsoft service’s option. Then, tap on the Disable all button. Next, proceed to the Startup tab. Furthermore, click on the Task Manager option.

Step 3:

Under the Task Manager, you will see all the startup applications. Choose the first application on the list. Then, right-click on the application and select the Disable button.

Repeat these three steps for all the startup applications.

Step 4:

Exit from the Task Manager and again move to the System Configuration window. Thereafter, tap on the Apply button. In addition, click on the OK button.

Finally, reboot your Windows 10 device. Hopefully, after applying these fixing techniques the background task host stopped working issue will not irritate you anymore.

Maria Colombo
Maria Colombo
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