How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (2024)

How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (1)

Among the many errors you may encounter while working on a Windows 10 or 11 PC is the “Unhandled exception has occurred in your application.” This problem can appear while you’re using an application, playing a game or starting your PC. It usually signals an issue with the .NET Framework or the presence of corrupt files or malware on your system. This tutorial shows you how to clear that error.

Good to know: tired of always depending on Google for your searches? Try these deep web search engines that will unearth more results.

Content

  • Things to Do First
  • 1. Scan for Malware
  • 2. Run the .NET Framework Repair Tool
  • 3. Enable the .NET Framework
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Things to Do First

The first thing you should try, before doing anything else, is to restart your PC. Rebooting your computer can sometimes be the easiest solution to stop seeing this error. If a restart proves ineffective, try running an SFC scan next. System File Checker (SFC) is built in to Windows and can be used to locate and repair lost or corrupt files.

It’s also a good idea to check whether you have any pending updates. Installing the latest version of Windows may be all that’s needed to remove this error from your system.

1. Scan for Malware

There is a possibility that the Unhandled Exception error is caused by malware. To rule that out, scan your computer using Windows’s native antivirus solution. The built-in Microsoft Defender is enabled automatically and will keep your PC safe. Follow these steps to check whether Defender is actively protecting your device from attacks:

  1. Open “Windows Security” from the Start menu to access Microsoft Defender.
  1. Check under “Virus & Threat Protection” in the Home tab. If it says “No action needed,” your device is already protected by Microsoft Defender.
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (3)
  1. If you still want to perform a scan just to ensure your PC isn’t infected, click “Virus & Threat Protection -> Quick scan.”
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (4)

Tip: still worried about your PC’s safety? Downloading a reputable antivirus program is a good idea.

The error we’re discussing in this tutorial can also be caused by .NET Framework issues. As a result, you may want to repair it by following the steps below.

  1. Go to the official Microsoft website and download the .NET Framework Repair tool.
  1. Once the application has finished downloading, double-click the EXE file to launch it.
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (5)
  1. Click “Yes” in the User Account Control prompt.
  1. Check the box that says “I have read and accept the license terms”
    and click “Next.”
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (6)
  1. The application will start a scan to detect any issues.
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (7)
  1. In the next window, view the recommended changes. Click “Next” to apply them.
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (8)
  1. Restart your computer and check to see whether the error still manifests.

Tip: does your Ethernet speed seem to be capped at 100 Mbps on Windows? Learn how to remove this limitation.

3. Enable the .NET Framework

If the .NET Framework Repair Tool did not resolve the issue, you may want to try restarting it.

  1. Click on the Start menu and type “Windows Features” into the search bar. Select the “Turn Windows features on or off” result.
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (9)
  1. Check the box next to “.NET Framework 3.5” and “.NET Framework 4.8 Advanced Services” in the Windows Features window. Click “OK.”
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (10)
  1. In the following window, you may notice a message stating that “Windows requires some files from Windows Update to complete the installation of some features.” Select the “Let Windows Update download the files for you” option.
  1. Once the process is complete, you’ll see the “Windows completed the requested changes” message. Close the window and restart your PC.

Good to know: sometimes you need to know your router’s IP address. We show you where to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent the error from happening again?

Even though it may not be possible to completely avoid the problem, you can try and prevent it by making sure your software and system are always up to date.

Can the "Unhandled Error Has Occurred in Your Application" error cause data loss?

Even though the error itself may not cause data loss, it can be a sign of a bigger problem that could lead to data loss if not fixed. So that the error doesn’t cause greater damage, it should be addressed immediately.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Oluwatokiloba Folami

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox

How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (11)

Oluwatokiloba Folami

Oluwatokiloba is a skilled writer and editor who is goal-oriented and innovative. Seeing how far he can go to find new, creative ways to address problems motivates and fascinates him. He likes to workout and listen to music when he is not tinkering.

  • Facebook
  • Tweet
How to Fix the "Unhandled Exception Has Occurred in Your Application" Error on Windows (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 5857

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.