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How to fix System call failed Explorer.exe error in Windows
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Explorer.exe System call failed is one of the troublesome Windows niggles that can render your system virtually useless.
Before the error message is flashed on the screen, the icons disappear and when the user clicks on the Start button the Explorer.exe System call failed error is displayed.
Needless to say, one would mistake it to be a malware or a virus attack but in reality its none. Neither is it a case of Windows operating system gone bad.
Before we start with the actual troubleshooting, lets take some time to perform some basic checks. Try recalling whether you had done any changes to the system.
Also, try switching your account and see if its the same error persists. Try restarting the computer.
As observed in forums this error is usually suspected to be caused by drive errors. Bad sectors in your Primary harddiskwill cause severe performance issues.
One can also try connecting an external drive and see it it’s being read.
We’ve written extensively about explorer.exe issues before. Bookmark this page in case you need it later.
Here’s how to solve System call failed error on Explorer.exe
1) Clean Boot
Clean Boot is somewhat similar to thesafe mode. In the cleanboot, the Windows is started with a minimal set of drivers and programs in the startup.
Since none of the software is opened automatically in the background the Clean Boot will let you avoid the software conflicts.
Windows won’t boot? Here’s how to fix the issue in no time!
2) Alternate method
Now in this step, you can troubleshoot each drive for errors and you can also check the computer’s primary harddiskfor performance issues.
Also, consider comparing the same with the external harddisk.
Also, you can try out the EaseUS software which promises to fix your harddiskwithout causing any loss of data.
If the Explorer.exe System call failed error still persists even after the scanner shows zero errors, it’s time you get the harddiskchecked physically, but we hope you won’t have to. Do let us know if any of these solutions worked for you and if you happen to come across different workarounds, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
More about the topics:System Errors
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.