How to Fix the Explorer.exe “Element Not Found” Error on Windows

Key Takeaways

The article explains how to fix the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error on Windows with four methods: restarting explorer.exe, uninstalling recent Windows updates, running system file checker and DISM tools, and performing a system restore.

Problem

If you’re using Windows, you may have encountered the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error when trying to open File Explorer, Command Prompt, or other applications. This error can prevent you from accessing your files and folders, and it can be very frustrating. Fortunately, there are some ways to fix this error and restore your system’s functionality.

In this article, we’ll show you four methods to fix the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error on Windows. We’ll also explain what causes this error and how to prevent it from happening again.

Solution 1: Restart Explorer.exe

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer and right-click on it.

Step 3: Select End task from the context menu.

Step 4: Click File and then Run new task.

Step 5: Type explorer.exe in the text box and click OK.

This will restart the explorer.exe process and hopefully fix the error. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + X and select Task Manager to open the Task Manager.

Solution 2: Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click Update & Security and then View update history.

Step 3: Click Uninstall updates to open the Control Panel.

Step 4: In the Installed Updates window, find the updates that were installed around the time you started experiencing the error. You can use the Installed On column to sort the updates by date.

Step 5: Right-click on the update you want to uninstall and select Uninstall from the context menu.

Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.

Step 7: Restart your computer and check if the error is gone.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R and type appwiz.cpl to open the Control Panel.

Solution 3: Run System File Checker and DISM

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 3: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Step 4: Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time, so be patient.

Step 5: If the scan finds and fixes any errors, restart your computer and check if the error is gone.

Step 6: If the scan does not find any errors or does not fix them, type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 7: Wait for the scan to complete. This may also take some time, so be patient.

Step 8: If the scan finds and fixes any errors, restart your computer and check if the error is gone.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) to run Command Prompt as administrator.

Solution 4: Perform a System Restore

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type rstrui and press Enter to open the System Restore wizard.

Step 3: Click Next to proceed.

Step 4: Select a restore point that was created before you started experiencing the error. You can use the Show more restore points option to see more restore points if available.

Step 5: Click Next and then Finish to confirm your choice.

Step 6: Wait for the system restore to complete. This may take some time, so be patient.

Step 7: Restart your computer and check if the error is gone.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + S and type recovery to open the Recovery settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is explorer.exe?

Answer: Explorer.exe is an executable file that runs the user interface of Windows, including the desktop, taskbar, and File Explorer. It is an essential component of Windows, and it cannot be deleted or disabled.

Question: What causes the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error?

Answer: The “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error can be caused by various factors, such as:

• A malfunctioning or crashed explorer.exe process
• A faulty Windows update that installed incompatible or corrupted drivers or files
• A virus or malware infection that damaged the explorer.exe file or its associated registry entries
• A hardware failure or conflict that affected the explorer.exe process

Question: How can I prevent the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error from happening again?

Answer: To prevent the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error from happening again, you can try the following tips:

• Keep your Windows updated with the latest patches and fixes
• Scan your system regularly with a reliable antivirus and anti-malware program
• Backup your system and data regularly to avoid data loss in case of a system failure
• Avoid installing untrusted or incompatible programs or drivers that may interfere with the explorer.exe process

Summary

The “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error is a common and annoying problem that can prevent you from accessing your files and folders on Windows. However, you can fix this error with some simple methods, such as restarting the explorer.exe process, uninstalling recent Windows updates, running system file checker and DISM tools, or performing a system restore. We hope this article helped you solve the “Explorer.exe Element Not Found” error and restore your system’s functionality.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide any professional or legal advice. The methods and solutions described in this article may not work for everyone or every situation. We are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions in this article. Use them at your own risk.