How to Fix the KernelBase.dll Error in Windows 10 and 11?

How to Fix the KernelBase.dll Error in Windows 10 and 11-1


While Windows 10 and 11 improved a lot since their inception, some bugs still plague Microsoft’s operating systems. One of them is surely this KernelBase.dll Error that appears when users try to run some applications, programs, or games.

Once they click on the program or app, it crashes, showing this annoying and downright concerning error message. The good thing is that you can easily fix this issue which often has to do with corrupted system files, outdated versions of Windows, or more things that we’ll discuss in the following guide.

1. How to Fix the KernelBase.dll Error in Windows 10 and 11?

Let me show you a few quick and simple solutions to fix the KernelBase.dll error in Windows 10 and 11.

1.1 Download the KernelBase.dll File

Whenever I’m missing a DLL file, I tend to go the easiest route, which is to download that file and put it in the folder where it belongs. If you have an issue with KernelBase.dll on Windows 10 or 11, try downloading this file online and putting it in the corresponding folder.

Here’s how to do that:

  1. Go to this link and download the version of KernelBase.dll for your system. It’s available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
  2. In the Downloads folder of your PC, right-click on the file and select Copy.
    KernelBase File 1
  3. Now, it’s time to paste the file into the folder on your computer. If you’re using a 32-bit system, the path to this folder is: “C:\Windows\System 32“ and if you’re using a 64-bit system, follow this path: “C:\Windows\SysWOW64.“
  4. Right-click inside the corresponding folder, click on Paste, and the file should appear in that folder. If it asks you to replace the old KernelBase.dll file with the new one, click on Yes.
    KernelBase File 2
  5. Try running the problematic app again – the application should work now.

1.2 Update Your Windows OS

The KernelBase.dll error on Windows 10 and 11 can also appear if you’re using an outdated version of Windows. Thankfully, that can be solved easily by updating the system. Do so by following these steps.

  1. Click on the Windows button and choose Settings.
  2. Select “Update & Security.”
    KernelBase Update
  3. Click on “Check for updates.”
    KernelBase Update 2
  4. If there are new updates, Windows will scan for them and automatically install them for you.
  5. Once that is done, restart your computer and try launching the app again.

1.3 Run Compatibility Troubleshooter for the Problematic App

If we’re talking about a single app that displays the KernelBase.dll error on Windows 10 or 11, you can try fixing that application by running a compatibility troubleshooter functionality. Here’s how to do that.

  1. Find the application that’s causing troubles, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
  2. Click on the Compatibility tab.
  3. Select “Run compatibility troubleshooter.”
    KernelBase App 1
  4. Click on the first option that says “Try recommended settings” which will run the program with recommended compatibility settings.
    KernelBase App 2
  5. If that doesn’t work and you still get the KernelBase.dll error, run the compatibility troubleshooter again and choose the second option that says “Troubleshoot program.”
    KernelBase App 3
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen as Windows guides you through the troubleshooting process.
    KernelBase App 4
  7. When that’s done, in the Compatibility tab, untick the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for.
  8. Tick the box next to “Run this program as an administrator.”
    KernelBase App 5
  9. Click on Apply and then click on OK to close the window.
  10. Run the application again and check if the error appears.

1.4 Scan Your System for Corrupted Files

Corrupted files are often a cause for concern since they’re known to cause issues with running applications and games. The fix for the KernelBase.dll error in Windows 10 and 11 might lie in the SFC scan that you can perform through the command prompt window.

  1. Click on the Windows button and type in cmd.
  2. Select “Run as administrator” and click Yes when prompted.
    cmd kill task administrator
  3. Type the command “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
    KernelBase CMD
  4. Windows will now scan your system for corrupted files that will be displayed in the Command Prompt window.
  5. If there are any, make sure you replace them by downloading new files.

1.5 Reinstall the Problematic Application

Another simple KernelBase.dll error fix on Windows is to reinstall the program that isn’t working. You can do that by following these steps.

  1. Click on the Windows button.
  2. Type in “Control Panel” and press Enter.
  3. Click on “Uninstall a program.”
    KernelBase Control Panel
  4. On the list of installed apps, find the problematic app and double-click on it to uninstall it.
  5. Once the app is uninstalled, install it again, restart your PC, and see if the problem persists.
  6. OPTIONAL: You can also repair the problematic app by right-clicking on it and choosing Repair. This option also works in many scenarios where some of the app’s files are corrupted.
    KernelBase Control Panel 2

1.6 Restore to the Previous Version of Windows

If everything else fails, you can try restoring your Windows to its previous version. Windows updates are a gamble, especially on Windows 10 and 11, and they can either mess up your system or provide fixes for existing problems.

Nevertheless, here’s how to restore Windows to its previous version.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on “Update & Security.”
  3. Choose Recovery from the left-hand side menu.
    KernelBase Recovery
  4. Under “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10/11” click on “Get started.”
  5. Follow the steps on the screen to restore Windows to its previous version.

1.7 Perform a Full Malware/Virus Scan

The last KernelBase.dll fix on Windows 10 and 11 is to scan your computer using either Windows Defender or third-party antivirus/anti-malware tools. I recommend using Windows Defender by following these steps.

  1. Click on the Windows button and type in “Windows PowerShell.”
  2. Right-click on it and click on “Run as administrator.”
    KernelBase Powershell
  3. Type in this command: “start-mpscan -scantype fullscan” and press Enter.
    KernelBase Powershell 2
  4. Windows Defender will now perform a full scan of your PC and remove malware/viruses if there are any.
  5. Restart your computer and run the app again – with no malware and viruses corrupting your files, it should work properly.

And that’s pretty much it. I hope that, thanks to this guide, you found a solution to this KernelBase.dll error in Windows 10 and 11 and that your apps and games are working properly. Which solution worked for you? Inform us by leaving a comment below.

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