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How Can You Stop Nslookup.exe From Crashing Windows 11/10? Proven Fixes for Persistent Problem

Why Does Nslookup.exe Crash Windows 11/10? Effective Solutions for a Frustrating Issue

Nslookup.exe is a built-in Windows command-line tool used to query DNS servers for information about domain names and IP addresses. It’s essential for network troubleshooting, but when it crashes, it can cause serious disruptions, including blue screen errors like “critical process died.”

Causes of Nslookup.exe Crashing Windows 11/10

  • Conflicts with recent Chrome updates
  • Malware or virus infections
  • Faulty or incompatible drivers, especially USB dongle drivers
  • Corrupted or misbehaving background processes

Steps to Fix Nslookup.exe Crashing on Windows 11/10

Before you begin

Back up all important data to prevent potential data loss from system crashes.

Solution 1: Reinstall Google Chrome

  1. Uninstall Chrome via Apps & Features.
  2. Restart your PC.
  3. Delete the nslookup.exe file if instructed by support.
  4. Download and install the latest version of Chrome.

Solution 2: Run a Full Virus Scan

  1. Open Windows Security and select “Virus & threat protection.”
  2. Choose “Scan options” and select “Windows Defender Offline scan.”
  3. Start the scan and let your PC restart to complete the process.

Solution 3: End the Nslookup.exe Process

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click “More Details,” go to the “Details” tab.
  3. Right-click nslookup.exe and select “End task.”

Solution 4: Uninstall USB Dongle Driver

  1. Right-click the Start menu and select “Device Manager.”
  2. Expand “Universal Serial Bus Controllers.”
  3. Right-click the USB dongle driver and choose “Uninstall device.”
  4. Confirm and reboot your PC.

Solution 5: Reset Driver Verifier in Safe Mode

  1. Restart your PC while holding the Shift key to enter Windows Recovery Environment.
  2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
  3. Enter Safe Mode (F4, F5, or F6).
  4. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  5. Run these commands:
    verifier /reset
    verifier /bootmode resetonbootfail
  6. Restart your PC.

Persistent crashes of nslookup.exe on Windows 11/10 can be resolved by addressing browser conflicts, scanning for malware, managing background processes, updating or removing problematic drivers, and resetting driver verification settings. Following these steps can restore system stability and prevent further disruptions.