5 Ways to Fix Shell Infrastructure Host Has Stopped Working Error

What Is the Shell Infrastructure Host?

One of Windows’ most important tools is the Shell Infrastructure Host. It manages a variety of graphical elements such as the Start Menu, Action Center, and desktop background slideshows, among other things. In the Task Manager, this tool is known as SiHost.exe and runs in the background.

So, if you get a Shell Infrastructure Host error, it’s most likely because the SiHost.exe process has crashed. While the exact cause of the problem is unknown, it is most likely caused by corrupted or missing system files.

Let’s look at some options for resolving this issue.

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Log in to Windows as an Administrator

This error usually appears when a user is using a guest account. So, if you’re looking for a quick fix, try logging in as the administrator.

Here’s how to switch from a guest account to an administrator account if you’re currently logged in as a guest:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open the Security options window.
2. Select Switch User and then follow the on-screen instructions to log in to an Administrator account.

If you’re using someone else’s PC, you could request them to give you administrator access.

Create a New Guest Account

Do you want to avoid having to log in as an administrator? If that’s the case, you can make a new guest account. Also, before you delete the problematic guest account, make a copy or backup of your important files.

Otherwise, here’s how to make a new Windows guest account:

1. Navigate to Win Start Menu > PC Settings > Accounts.
2. Click Other people on the left-hand side pane.
3. Next, click on Add someone else to this PC on the right-hand side pane.

Click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information in the next window. To finish setting up the account, go through the following steps:

1. Click Get a new email address and enter your details.
2. Create a password, fill in your date of birth, and select your country of residence.
3. Click Next when you finish and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

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Reinstall or Repair the Microsoft Visual C++ Programs

The Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library packages are required for your PC to function properly. If these packages are missing or corrupted, you’ll most likely experience a variety of system-related problems. In this case, the problem could be resolved by repairing or reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ programs.

Let’s see how to fix the Microsoft Visual C++ programs:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
3. Right-click on each Microsoft Visual C++ program and then select Change.

Click the Repair button in the next window. Then, when you’re finished, follow the on-screen instructions and restart your computer.

If the problem persists, follow these steps to reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ programs:

1. Open the Programs and Features window as per the previous steps.
2. Right-click on each Microsoft Visual C++ program and click the Uninstall button.
3. When you finish, reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ programs from the Microsoft Website.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

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Configure Your PC’s Startup Settings

Depending on how you’ve configured your PC’s startup settings, the Shell Infrastructure error is likely to appear. We’ll look at how the Normal startup and Selective startup settings can help in this case.

Let’s start by configuring the Normal startup options. When you restart your computer, this should load all of the device drivers and services.

Now, here’s how to set up the Normal startup options:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
3. Navigate to the General tab and select the Normal startup option.
4. Press Apply and then Press OK.

You can change the Selective startup settings if you don’t want to do that. This should allow you to select which services the system should load when your PC starts up.

The Selective startup settings can be configured as follows:

1. Open the System Configuration window as per the previous steps.
2. Navigate to the General tab and select the Selective startup option.
3. Next, check the Load system services and the Load startup items boxes below this option.
4. Click Apply and then click OK to save these changes. Restart your PC when you finish.

If the issue persists, here’s what you can do:

1. Open the System Configuration window as per the previous options.
2. Select the Selective startup option and then check all the boxes below this option.
3. Click Apply and then click OK.

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Run Windows’ Troubleshooters

The built-in troubleshooters in Windows may also be able to assist you with this problem. If the error is caused by a system maintenance problem, the System Maintenance troubleshooter may be of assistance. If the problem is caused by a hardware problem, you can use the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Let’s look at how to run the System Maintenance troubleshooter to get started:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic and press Enter to open the System Maintenace troubleshooter.
3. Click the Advanced option and then check the Apply repairs automatically box.
4. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the process.

If the problem persists, follow these steps to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter:

1. Navigate to Win Start Menu > PC Settings > Update & Security and then select the Troubleshoot option.
2. Click the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter on the right-hand side pane and press the Run the troubleshooter button.

Follow the on-screen instructions and then restart your PC.

Use the SFC Tool

If the problem is caused by corrupted system files, the System File Scanner (SFC) tool may be of assistance. In just a few simple steps, you can locate and repair all of your PC’s corrupted files.

Take a look at how to perform an SFC scan:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type CMD and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

When the process is finished, restart your computer to see if the problem has been resolved.

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Fix the Windows Shell Infrastructure Host Error Easily

Allowing the Shell Infrastructure Host error to prevent you from running your apps is not a good idea. You should be good to go if you apply any of the fixes we’ve suggested. If your third-party apps continue to have issues, there are a slew of other workarounds to try.