Fix Generic Host For Win32 Process Error

Posted by Saad Hamid on April 28, 2007

My last post about Fixing Generic Host Error on your Windows was appreciated a lot not only in the blogosphere rather the whole Internet. I do not say this out of mere words rather if you search Google for “Fix Generic Host” you will find my blog at the top and most of my traffic from Google is due to this.

This error has been haunting most of Windows PCs from a long time and is really one dreadful bug. The problem in my last fix was that it would cure the Generic Host Error Message from appearing but it would close the connection to the network PCs.

Here are 4 new solutions to the Generic Host For Win32 Error in Windows:

Solution# 1:

  1. Hop to ‘Run’ and open ‘Regedit’
  2. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Browser > Parameters
  3. Find the Key
    Name: IsDomainMaster
    and set
    Data: False
  4. Restart Your PC

Solution# 2:

  1. Go to ‘Run’ and open ‘cmd’
  2. Type ‘netsh’ in command console then press enter
  3. Then type ‘winsock’ and press enter and then type reset
  4. Restart Your PC

Solution# 3:

Get the LspFix and follow the steps as directed

Solution# 4:

Get the Microsoft Update Patch and apply it. Thanx to Nirmal for this.

I hope one of these solutions will definitely help you rectify the erorr

Moreover you can always see my old guaranteed post about Fixing Generic Host Error

{ 112 comments… read them below or add one }

Nirmal April 28, 2007 at 6:46 pm

Hi DJ,
Thanks for the mention :smile:

Reply

hait June 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm

I’m tried. But still not working.

Reply

Own May 7, 2007 at 12:41 pm

not working ……I tried all solution and still not working, I have Patched it and what I got ?? my OS not responding, ohh I had to reinstall OS…. still confusing…..
need solution soon …. Is there any problem with firefox 2.0.0.3

Reply

Dj Flush May 7, 2007 at 1:07 pm

Please visit my older post regarding the fix for generic host for win32 process.

It has a guaranteed solution.

Reply

Hitesh July 22, 2009 at 1:20 pm

please friend, how can i solve Generic Host win32 problem, it’s make be disconnect Internet connection after two mints.. plz tell me what i do?…

Reply

rajasekhar July 29, 2009 at 1:51 pm

my sysytem freequently problem from generic host error for win32

Reply

mrinal May 24, 2007 at 9:31 am

plz help how to fix generic host win32 error

Reply

MetallMann May 28, 2007 at 3:11 am

HI same here

I did a clean install of OS but the error still apears… must be a virus (trojan) ??? :idea:

Reply

kang chen June 13, 2007 at 10:11 pm

hi….i know how to fix tat problem d

u juz need go to microsoft website n search for generic host win32 problem….then u juz click window xp 64bit to dl….it wil help u fix ur problem d

Reply

mike June 21, 2007 at 11:18 am

You are a legend.

I have been trying to fix the ‘generic’ host thing for months and found your other page which didnt work for me but had some great info/advice. I then found this page via [another lock-up] and google.

YAAY.. it has been running for 4 hours now and no error messages. This was after patching/hot fixing being told I had a deeply embedded trojan etc etc.

Thankyou for your very clear and easy to read assistance.

floot

Reply

Raj July 5, 2007 at 7:08 pm

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
1.Click Start, click Run, and then type net stop wuauserv.
2.On the desktop, double-click My Computer, and then delete the drive:\WuTemp folder.
3.Delete the drive:\Windows\System32\Catroot2 folder.
4.Open the drive:\Windows folder, and then rename the SoftwareDistribution folder as SoftwareDistributionOLD.
5.Open the drive:\Windows\system32 folder, and then follow these steps:
a. Rename the Wuweb.dll file as Wuweb.dll.old.
b. Rename the Wuapi.dll file as Wuapi.dll.old.
c. Rename the Wuauclt.exe file as Wuauclt.exe.old.
d. Rename the Wuaucpl.cpl file as Wuaucpl.cpl.old.
e. Rename the Wuaueng1.dll file as Wuaueng1.dll.old.
f. Rename the Wuaueng.dll file as Wuaueng.dll.old.
g. Rename the Wuauserv.dll file as Wuauserv.dll.old.
h. Rename the Wucltui.dll file as Wucltui.dll.old.
i. Rename the Wups2.dll file as Wups2.dll.old.
j. Rename the Wups.dll file as Wups.dll.old.
6.Restart the computer.

Reply

aslikhar July 14, 2007 at 12:06 pm

thanx..It really did solve my generic host problem

Reply

RonRon September 1, 2007 at 7:54 am

Applied all of DJ Flush’s advice. Also tried Nirmal’s suggestion.Problem not solved. Never found a wutemp file to take Raj’s advice. May have to reformat to a different windows.Any more suggestions.

Thanks just the same. RonRon

Reply

jay June 26, 2009 at 3:57 pm

hey just instal threatfire firewall and your problem wil be solved.its available free.

Reply

Min456 September 2, 2007 at 9:33 am

Here is my suggestion. If the error appears, ignore it. Continue using the internet as usual

Reply

girish September 11, 2007 at 11:31 am

Hi Dj Flush i tried to resolve this error by your solution but it didnt work. Does this occur only in the servers of Lan network or in the other computers of Lan too … can I change OS to win 2000? please answer me

Reply

Dj Flush September 11, 2007 at 6:11 pm

Everyone here please also check out the alternative solution to fix generic host

Reply

Harry September 15, 2007 at 11:38 am

Min456: Please explain how you “ignore it” when you no longer have an internet connection once the problem has occured.

If you can’t provide useful information keep your hands off the keyboard.

Reply

Mark September 24, 2007 at 9:08 pm

He says ignore it…just continue surfing…don’t press any buttons of it…but there will come a time that another win32 error will appear, thus making your connection offline.

Until now it’s my problem. I can’t connect my database because of this networking and that generic host error :(

Reply

Amir October 27, 2007 at 11:11 pm

Just turn windows firewall on. There will be no generic host message.

Reply

gino November 3, 2007 at 3:07 pm

Oh My God!

Thank you much for this important and really helpful post. I appreciate it.

I have been trying to solve this problem for a month until I found this and it really works. I patched it and applied the solution#2. Thanks a lot your the man :D

Reply

zampuda November 22, 2007 at 9:56 pm

Dj and Nirmal Rocks. These tips really solved my problem. Thanks a lot.

Reply

abhishek December 6, 2007 at 4:25 pm

DJ and Nirmal both of you are appreciable. I have formated my system four times in 2 days but now I am trying your solution. Thanks a lot for so useful tips.

Reply

psokarovski January 19, 2008 at 3:49 am

Wow I fixed on every computer I had except on my home file server…tried all fixes but still nothing and then I find the brightness at the end of the road :D

Solution1: Install Windows Vista
Solution2: Install Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon With KDE4

or maybe a dual boot…must tell I am surprised how fast vista is, from what I’ve heard i expected something like XP on 486 machine

Reply

William January 22, 2008 at 3:45 pm

You’re a very very nice man. Thanks, my problem is now fixed.

Even Microsoft don’t know about this solution!

Reply

Pabitra January 24, 2008 at 7:06 pm

What if I try the registry fix? will it work?

Reply

Sushmit March 14, 2008 at 10:42 am

Hi.
I Tried your old post. Still I am not able to get rid of Host Process Error. Please help me dude. It’s really creating problems for me. Thank you.
Sushmit

Reply

Gsabog March 21, 2008 at 2:20 am

If none of the above works then download smitfraudfix. Use smitfraudfix in safe mode.

Here is the download link. everything is in there even the instructions

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

Reply

PinkRayneDrop March 29, 2008 at 10:13 am

As I just posted in your other tips…You rock. I have fixed the problem that even Microsoft could not help me with. It’s worked for me…I am forever in your debt!

Reply

Rahat mirza May 8, 2008 at 6:36 pm

There is no solution

Reply

Rodel May 19, 2008 at 12:24 pm

I tried solution # 2 and it worked. Thanks a lot.

Reply

margot June 3, 2008 at 12:39 pm

i will try it… tnx… ur site is very informative

Reply

Rohan Shenoy June 7, 2008 at 1:05 am

Hey DJ,

Method 2 is working for me(CMD>netsh>winsock>reset)

I can’t tell you how relieved I feel after this issue got solved. I tried so many solutions in the past including smitfraudfix and sasser worm remover utility.

I also remember reading somewhere that such an error can also be caused due to improperly removed internet software. I was using some sify broadband software in the past which was not uninstalled properly. May be this has something to with that!

Anywayz, this worked great.

Reply

chuck June 25, 2008 at 3:30 am

Resetting winsock worked. Thanks!!

What causes this? I upgraded to XP SP3, PC worked fine for three days, then lost access to my other four networked PCs, for not real reason..e.g., did not install new software, or change my system.

Thanks again for the help.

Chuck

Reply

Jhumon June 28, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Nice work mate. its work nicely.

Reply

kalpesh shah July 11, 2008 at 7:17 pm

Hi,
I am suffering from virus trojan game downloader, please help if anyone know about this.i am using 2 computers for business purpose.

Reply

sundeep July 27, 2008 at 7:27 pm

than a lot man ,,it worked,,nw i have no problem with internet….but im nt able to configure hibernate,wenever i try its says the program is being used by someother appli,,even wen i try it as soon as i restart,,it wont work..any help.

and thanku a lottt

Reply

fong August 4, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Thanks guy. It’s really work.!!! Solution 2 I did.

Reply

Adi August 14, 2008 at 6:44 pm

Thanks,
For me worked 2nd fix
Thanks again

Reply

Gunnerd76 September 3, 2008 at 2:48 am

SOrry forgot to add Im using Windows XP with Service Pack 3. Most of the problems reported on here are to do with SP2 which i had earlier and it did the same thing so i updated and it still occurs. Thanks again

Reply

Asim Elic September 6, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Hi
I followed the instruction of RAJ

Didnt work.. its still there….Please anyone suggest something

Reply

bhushan September 9, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Thanks, it worked

Reply

Shalabh Mathur September 11, 2008 at 11:08 am

Thanks, Saad Hamid for your social help.
Thank you very much.
I am Manager-engineering in a small company that is in power sector and installs complete power plant, steam turbines.
If you need any help i am always there.
thanks & Regards

Reply

jul October 11, 2008 at 10:07 am

Hi DJ,
i read your older post in fix for generic host for win32 process and i’ve done it. The results are losing my connection with other PCs, while the Generic Post Process doesn’t come up again.
Now i’m going to try the alternatives above.

The question is : Should i reset the HLMsoftwaremicrosoftOLE string value to “Y” and reset the parameters to “Device” before applying one of those alternatives above?

Thank you so much for your kindness..

Reply

adrian January 2, 2009 at 10:03 am

I have tried all DJ Flush’s methods and still not working, so I combined them following K’s method, and add 2 fixes from Microsoft, and now my computers can connect to the Internet without losing the LAN connection.

1. Close port 445 and 135
2. Install the fix WindowsXP-KB894391-x86-ENU and restart
3. Install the fix WindowsXP-KB921883-x86-ENU and restart
4. Reopen port 445 and 135

Reply

Mary Lou October 12, 2008 at 2:24 am

Hi – I have a win32 error:23 MSCORLIB.dll I have XP-SP2. I tried Soultion 1&2 then tried Raj’s solution dated July5,2007. I am still getting this error and don’t know what more to do. Any assistance you can provide would be much appreciated.

Reply

okabija October 13, 2008 at 7:28 am

HI,

I have try it, it work on solution no 1, but seems its disable the sharing internet connection over LAN ?

Reply

FoxyCher November 14, 2008 at 7:39 pm

i tried solution #2 and i am still observing if it will come back… it is ok so far!

thanks for the suggestions!

Reply

Yasir November 17, 2008 at 2:47 pm

My PC runs too slow even after running the clean up wizard still my C: drive is full. I don’t know which files to delete, please help me.

Reply

Venu November 25, 2008 at 12:29 am

You are the God. Your new four solutions didn’t work…but the older one did the trick. Rock on man!

Reply

Joseph November 27, 2008 at 7:02 am

Hey there,

Thanks for solving my Generic Host whatever problem, but since you’re an expert, I’ve something else, that may be connected.

Usually I’m connected to the Internet using a GPRS USB Modem ‘Solomon EDGE’; no problem (until this morning, but that’s solved), I also have the possibility to connect to a WiFi connection (secured, but I do have a key), but I can’t use Internet nor Outlook although the connection wizard says: ‘connected’ and the small icon shows a flickering screen and a yellow beam. I know, this description may seem a bit foolish, but I’m not an expert, just a happy user, as long as everything works.

Reply

aghie@indonesia December 1, 2008 at 12:24 pm

WWDC (Windows Worms Door Cleaner)
Try to download it…

Just close the ports 135 and 445 from it..

it’ll completely solves your problem…

(i’m sorry if my english was poor) XD

Reply

Gokul December 30, 2008 at 7:00 pm

You da man! My PC is back to life.

Reply

Huang January 8, 2009 at 6:56 pm

I tried DJ’s solution one and solution two but it didn’t work. The error still appears. Then I followed Aghie@indonesia suggestion to download WWDC then close port 135 and 445 with this software, the problem is fixed.

Thanks to DJ for this great post and your solutions are greatly appreciated. Thanks to Aghie@indonesia for the great suggestion too.
If any of you would like to download this free software, this will be the link : http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/Windows-Worms-Doors-Cleaner.shtml

Enjoy and have a nice day. :)

Reply

durgesh January 17, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Hey man…your post was of great help thanx a lot once again and keep them coming

Reply

Sakhawat January 18, 2009 at 11:37 pm

Its great, awesome, thanks !!!

Reply

Mac January 31, 2009 at 7:45 pm

Thanks it worked fine. I no longer have the stupid error.

Reply

jack February 20, 2009 at 6:42 am

I followed the the first suggestions on the page to get rid of the win32 error and then when I restarted my computer I could not access the Internet, I get a message that there are no wireless networks in my range. I don’t know what to do as now I am worse off than before and it seems that I can get a strong signal from my router but for some reason no Internet.

Reply

fajar February 26, 2009 at 9:09 am

solution #2 seems works for me

Many Thanks :)

Reply

dOinK March 21, 2009 at 6:58 am

Guyz!..anyone?..which one of the posted solutions is really working?..pls help me..ive been dealing with this problem for a long time..

Reply

valy March 25, 2009 at 9:36 pm

Thank You so much, it really resolved most of my problems related to the generic host. Cheers and thank you again.

Reply

Sajeeb March 30, 2009 at 5:14 pm

The #2 solution really works…..Thank u very much for the solution.

Reply

jay March 30, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Guys the only way to stop this problem is to know how this occurs.when someone tries to connect to ur pc this error occurs.basically its a network error and simple solution to it is put a login password for your account.this tip has worked successfull for many.

Reply

Namrata March 31, 2009 at 8:39 pm

Hey! I used your old trick to get rid of it & it sure did wonders!
I do not get the generic host error again , but my connection hangs again :(
The page doesnt load at all after 5 mins of net connection.

Suggestions ?

Reply

eric sinnn June 2, 2009 at 7:18 am

Thank you much for this important and really helpful post. I appreciate it.

I have been trying to solve this problem for a month until I found this and it really works. I patched it and applied the solution#2. Thanks a lot your the man :D

Reply

Rince June 7, 2009 at 2:07 pm

The fix does work. I tried the second solution and it does work. My internet connection used to get disconnected whenever i would get the error win 32 generic host service encountered a problem. Now my computer is error free. Thanks for the help.

Reply

Petar June 20, 2009 at 10:58 pm

Ty Hamid for the ”Solution# 2:”
with your help i fix the problem with Generic host
thank you again

Reply

Tural June 23, 2009 at 10:35 am

Thanks to all. I haven’t checked anything yet, but i’m sure it will work. Thank you for this blog!

Reply

yasi June 25, 2009 at 6:46 pm

yo!thank you very much..

i tried sol 2. and i think it works. great job!

by the way.. where can i get this kind of problems?.. just to prevent this error again.. thanks!

Reply

yasi June 25, 2009 at 6:58 pm

hey.. can you still help me?..

the generic host error was gone but still there’s something wrong with my laptop. it says “svchost.exe – application eror”

“the instruction at “0x012cf496″ reference memory at “0x012cf496″. The memory could not be “written”. click ok to terminate the program. click cancel to debug.”

that’s what is says

help me pls.

Reply

shalvin July 3, 2009 at 9:34 am

Thanks dude!

you have sortout my problem

its really working , i have used your 2nd optetion

thanks again

Reply

Jessie the great July 9, 2009 at 6:30 am

You want to get rid of it for sure and will not bother you anymore!
Try to use Kaspersky antivirus that is a f***ing virus man
(This is the solution you need if your having trouble with the sound after the generic host for win32 shows)

Reply

ravi July 10, 2009 at 11:36 pm

thnx a lot..i ws really worried by dis win32 error…but got a solution at very first attempt..thnx a lot

Reply

Editor July 11, 2009 at 8:03 am

Hi SH, I tried your solution and got rid of the win32 error, however, my internet stops working after 10 minutes. Eventhough the connection is active, I am not able to browse. Do you know what may be the cause?

Reply

kunal July 28, 2009 at 11:36 am

after doing this the problem is solved but we cant see other machines in lan

Reply

nilkanth July 29, 2009 at 6:41 pm

not able to download u torrent becpz of win 32 erros what is solution

Reply

Jovica August 2, 2009 at 2:56 am

I have this problem but it also is changing my windows style to classic.Why is that plz reply

Reply

jagbir September 21, 2009 at 2:07 pm

It works only for few months. I applied all your solns and it worked. But now after 3-4 months I am again facing the Same problem immediately I start my PC error appears “Win 32 error” and afterwards no work on the browser.

I have not installed fresh windows since then I have also checked the parameters again all are according to your suggestion but the problem still persists.
Pl revert with some more solutions.
Thanks
Jagbir

Reply

rohit751 September 28, 2009 at 10:17 am

XP error message “Send, don't send

Reply

sailukitta October 16, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Hii…Its been 1 and a half year since i've been facing this Win32 error and thats the most hated part of my life when that error appears each time i switch on the computer and start my browser..I tried each of the solutions given here but none of them worked…Since it is only due to the browser that this error is occurring it is obvious that it is due to intrusion of some bloody virus that this error is occurring though i'm not an expert in any of these..I've used almost all the antivirus softwares available in the market and as a last resort i installed Norton Antivirus which is supposed to be the best of all…..i now regret for not having installed it for last one year….IT WORKSSS!!!…….i'm finally out of the problem..Each time that error tries to kill my pleasure of browsing, NORTON ANTIVIRUS blocked it …..So folks…I think the only reason why this error is occuring is intrusion of some bloody virus and the solution is NORTON ANTIVIRUS……

Reply

sailukitta October 16, 2009 at 8:37 pm

Though Few of the solutions work they do have side effects like turning of the task bar to classic view or disabling of audio drivers…..One stop solution…NORTON ANTIVIRUS….download the trial version from http://www.filehippo.com/download_norton_antivi... and try it for 15 days jus as i did…ask me if the prob persists…i'm too excited for having found a solution for such an ordeal….

Reply

sailukitta October 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm

Ppl Plzz dont break your heads with anymore solutions for this as NORTON ANTIVIRUS is the only true solution for this…..belive me……i tried each of the solutions…they either dont work or work creating some side effects…..but not norton…

Reply

M.Qasim | Tech Blogger November 27, 2009 at 5:10 pm

thanks dear
it was very much needed one

Reply

lockx December 15, 2009 at 9:44 am

Hi,I facing generic host problem recently,this error message just came out 2times so far,so i waited 1hour and d error msg didn't appear,does that mean its alright now and generic host problem wouldn't appear again?(I do apologize for my broken english ;o )

Reply

vinu December 16, 2009 at 6:45 am

i will try this..
thanx in advance

Reply

trnimade December 28, 2009 at 7:30 am

dear great DJ
i unable to understand when other user has got rid of
Generic Host Process for Win32 Services Error (Solution)
based on ur 4 tips why my system is not accepting.
kindly provide some easy tips for its remedy
regards
nimade

Reply

Jay December 29, 2009 at 4:15 pm

tried this one and it helped!

Solution# 2:

1. Go to 'Run' and open 'cmd'
2. Type 'netsh' in command console then press enter
3. Then type 'winsock' and press enter and then type reset
4. Restart Your PC

Thanks alot sir!

Reply

Jess January 5, 2010 at 8:22 pm

Hi, I just want to thank you for your incredible work. . I was driven crazy by thats stupid Win32 error, but then I find U and the solution to our laptop and PC. . THANK U
You Rock

Reply

zarana January 13, 2010 at 3:04 pm

i m facing a problem while downloading.when i download something it gets download and after that when i strat it for run, it will not run and error like
D:/Downloads/BitTorrent-6.3cexe is not a valid Win32 application
now what shall i do.?

Reply

mina January 26, 2010 at 8:13 pm

I have this problem too.
please tell me what should I do???
I did the same that you wrote up, but it wasn't helpful

Reply

mithra February 3, 2010 at 4:08 pm

dont worry,,,,,,,,,,,,,, search for win xp service pack 3 or
install micro soft updates……………….r u fed up…by all of des
or change ur os 2 vista or win7………………………..

Reply

VIcKY February 7, 2010 at 9:12 pm

GuyS…i haVE A soLUtIOn….:) go To My ComPutEr ProPerties then go to advance tab then goto 1st setting option and then goto data exec prevention and then turn on dep and restart ur system hope i help…. : )

Reply

VIcKY February 8, 2010 at 2:12 am

GuyS…i haVE A soLUtIOn….:) go To My ComPutEr ProPerties then go to advance tab then goto 1st setting option and then goto data exec prevention and then turn on dep and restart ur system hope i help…. : )

Reply

valuesunil February 16, 2010 at 12:04 am

there is no trojan and virus, its in competed version

Reply

valuesunil February 16, 2010 at 12:16 am

when you download the file plz check the file is downloaded fully. b_coz win 32 error will come when the file is not downloaded. so you try to download some other browser before that delete that file

Reply

Lou March 13, 2010 at 3:00 am

Hallelujah! I have been suffering with these error pop-up windows on XP – SP3 for 8 months: Generic Host … and shvhost.exe – App Error. Solution 1 and 4 did not work. Solution 3 and everything is back to normal. Thank you very much,

Reply

Maninder March 24, 2010 at 3:39 pm

plz help how to fix generic host win32 error

Reply

maninder March 24, 2010 at 3:43 pm

hello maninder my mane navdeep singh (generic host win32 error)

ok

think maninder

Reply

Maninder March 24, 2010 at 3:48 pm

hello Maninder tried to resolve this error by your solution but it didnt work. Does this occur only in the servers of Lan network or in the other computers of Lan too … can I change OS to win 2000? please answer me

Reply

mdanilo April 1, 2010 at 12:48 am

just as simple you follow those steps, like what i did.and my problem with that gen host lasted.it does not respond anymore starting when i'm followed that simple stes

Reply

mdanilo April 1, 2010 at 5:48 am

just as simple you follow those steps, like what i did.and my problem with that gen host lasted.it does not respond anymore starting when i'm followed that simple stes

Reply

moshiurrahman May 14, 2010 at 6:42 pm

thank you so much sir….

Reply

Jyoti May 31, 2010 at 5:16 pm

Hello
I cannot open Regedit
when i try and do run as.. it still doesnt allow me to rectify Regedit
I am getting Generic Host Win32 error

Plz help

Reply

Balakumar June 2, 2010 at 9:25 am

Thx .. Just Copied from TechnoBuzz & Added 1 Solution !

Reply

karfax June 7, 2010 at 3:20 pm

thanks for the informations
See U

Reply

outsourcing June 8, 2010 at 11:45 am

join in bpo center and if you are blog and job provide me.

Reply

ARUN June 8, 2010 at 11:50 am

join in bpo center and if you are blog and job provide me.

Reply

arun June 8, 2010 at 11:52 am

join in bpo center and if you are blog and job provide me.

Reply

jaysal June 25, 2010 at 11:05 am

its very nice

Reply

alive June 28, 2010 at 7:02 pm

hey it worked. the second step worked ;P tnx a lot

Reply

Rana_shakeel13 July 12, 2010 at 11:52 pm

GOOD !

Reply

Sansan_ZZZ August 15, 2010 at 11:39 am

thank you for your solution it’s really help me TT

Reply

Leave a Comment

blog comments powered by Disqus