What are Rundll Errors?
Almost all Windows users face system failure due to rundll errors at one time or another. There are a number of reasons why these errors occur. To understand them, you first need to know what rundll actually is.
Rundll.exe (16-bit) and Rundll32.exe (32-bit) are command-line utilities included with Windows operating systems to invoke functions exported from DLLs. While Windows operating systems including Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME support both utilities, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, and Windows XP support only rundll32.exe. Rundll errors are generated when Windows is unable to locate the file the utility tries to load.
Causes of Rundll Errors
Most of the rundll errors are generated due to malware such as spyware, virus, and Trojans, that attack your PC when you visit devious websites, open spam emails, or download certain freeware applications. For example, files such as image.dll and Mshp.dll are installed on the system due to a Trojan attack. These files can download unwanted software on your system and change certain settings causing errors. Improper software install or uninstall procedures can also generate rundll errors. Windows operating systems that support both rundll utilities can encounter run dll errors if the wrong type of DLL is passed to them.
Fixing Rundll Errors
The method you choose to fix the rundll errors depends on whatever is causing them.
If rundll errors are generated due to malware, you must run an antivirus program on your system to track down all malware, delete them, and free your PC from their harmful effects.
In case, rundll errors coincide with the uninstallation of a particular software program, then you must try to reinstall the software and uninstall it again. This will help you perform a clean uninstall and resolve the problem.
You can also try to scan and fix the Windows registry to resolve these errors because all information regarding software installed or uninstalled on your Windows system is stored in the registry. Any incorrect entry in the registry due to improper installation or malware can lead to rundll errors. To scan and fix the registry, you can download a registry cleaner utility. Registry cleaner utilities help you safely and efficiently scan and fix registry errors such as invalid entries, DLL errors, and incorrect path settings, thereby enabling you to resolve rundll errors.
Many times rundll errors occur during system startup. To isolate and rectify the software program or hardware device generating the error, you must perform a clean boot. To perform a clean boot, open the Start menu and click Run. Type msconfig and press Enter. This opens the System Configuration Utility dialog box. In this dialog box, select Selective Startup, clear all but one checkbox given below it and restart your PC. Repeat the process until you identify the check box option that is generating the error. Next, in the System Configuration Utility dialog box, select the tab for the check box option causing the error. Clear all but one command on this tab and restart your PC. Continue the process until you isolate the command that is causing the problem. Next, rectify the problem by resolving the issue related to the identified software or hardware that is causing the errors.
You can solve most of the rundll errors with the help of clever diagnosis and proper rectification steps. You can avoid these errors from occurring by regularly running registry and anti-virus scans on your PC and keeping your PC current by installing the latest security, software, and device driver updates. You should install only the required software programs and remember that simple precautions can keep your PC error-free.
