Windows 7: How to fix problem with DllHost.exe

I get the following error in Action Centre (and in the Event Viewer);
Faulting application name: DllHost.exe, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc6b7
Faulting module name: RPCRT4.dll, version: 6.1.7601.17514, time stamp: 0x4ce7ba59
Exception code: 0xc0020043
Fault offset: 0x0005cd99
Faulting process id: 0x7ac
Faulting application start time: 0x01ce073cfbb513fe
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\DllHost.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\syswow64\RPCRT4.dll
Report Id: 39f2d2cf-7330-11e2-b651-50e5494cb314
Windows Explorer freezes and restarts. Somewhere it was suggested to delete DllHost.exe and it would be created again at the next reboot, but the system will not let me do it. I get the error all the time. Sewcat7

See if you have any damaged or corrupt system files by running a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and reboot the computer after each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Hi Marsmimar, I run SFC /SCANNOW (elevated) quite regularly. However, I have never run it three times and rebooted. I will try it. Thanks sewcat 7 P.S. So far I always had result that there is no problem

Hi Marsmimar, unfortunately, there still is an error with RPCRT4.dll (faulting module). DllHost.exe Application - see above. Sewcat7

If this problem just recently started you might be able to roll back your computer to a date/time before the first occurrence using a system restore point.

System Restore

Hi Marsmimar, unfortunately it is too late. I suppose I will have to learn to live with this Error message and all the other unfixable ones. Thanks for your help. Sewcat7

One other possibility that may solve the problems is a Repair Install. It will attempt to fix your currently installed Windows 7 and preserve your user accounts, data, programs, system drivers, etc. The repair takes about an hour and you'd have to reinstall Windows Updates (about another hour or so.)

Repair Install

Or you could use this opportunity to clean install everything. It looks like you may have a custom build so the first tutorial should help. But if you have a manufactured machine, the second tutorial (written by one of the Forum experts) would be better.

Clean Install Windows 7

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Hi Marsmimar, I have been thinking about the reinstall, but I do not think that I feel confident to do it (I read all the information on reinstalling). I have a custom built computer, but they installed Win 7, 64 bit for me and gave me an OEM disk. As far as my problem is concerned, I now get the message: Com Surrogate not working, in the Action Centre Graph. My Explorer is constantly stopping and the Event Viewer still has dllhost.exe malfunctioning. As I believe that the cause could be an embroidery programme, I think that even a reinstall might not work. I ran sfc \SCANNOW again, but there is still no problem. Thanks for helping. Sewcat7

My understanding is that DllHost.exe should only be located in C:\Windows\System32. If it is any place else it is probably a infection. Having a problem with RPCRT4.dll I would if it was my computer be wondering if a infection is part of the problem. Something maybe has remote access to your computer that you don't know about. Like a rootkit or botnet.

rpcrt4.dll is the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) API, used by Windows applications for network and Internet communication.

Check and see where DLLHost.exe is located.
Do you have all your Windows 7 updates including SP-1 installed?

Hi Layback Bear, I am using Malwarbytes, Windows Security Essentials and Windows Firewall. I regularly run both programs. I have found the dllhost exe under System 32 as well as SysWow64, because I have a 64 bit computer. I had tried disabling the DEP for dllhost.exe, but it does not seem to make any difference. Actually, the DEP only allowed me to enter the System 32 dllhost.exe, when I tried to also enter the SysWow64, I was told it cannot be done. Meanwhile in Action Centre (the graph) it is coming up as com surrogate not working. I have all the Windows updates, including SP 1, installed (automatically) and everything else is updated as well. In one of the Internet posts, I found that it could be an access violation, but there was no solution. I have been running scf /SCANNOW, but it finds no problem. Is it possible to delete the RPCRT4.dll??? I read that it would then recreate itself. I was reckless enough to see, if I could do it, but it will not let me. I am the only user on my computer and I am an Administrator. However, the system settings show, that the Administrator account is not used, although I log in as Administrator. Thanks for your interest. Sewcat7