Windows explorer shuts down and restarts over and over

Kirstin · 08 Jun 2013

Please forgive any typos...I have to use my phone. :) also please forgive the lack of system information - I am not able to get it off my PC currently.

This morning when I booted my computer, Windows Explorer kept encountering a problem and closing, then restarting. It does this in a never ending loop. I googled this error and found a suggestion to try safe mode. I did and the loop still happens in safe mode. I looked at the event viewer and saw some errors, but I don't know what they are or how to correct them. I ran sfc /scannow in safe mode with the command prompt. It got to 33% and said it could not be completed. I ran a chkdsk /f and it said it corrected some things, but the screen closed before I saw what. I ran sfc /scannow again, and now it closes out the command prompt window entirely after sitting at 33% -it doesn't give me the message about not finishing.

At this point I gave up trying to find the answers on my own and am coming here for help. Thanks for any help you can provide. I will try to provide any diagnostic info I can, given the limirations my computer is experiencing at the time. :)

mohavepc · 08 Jun 2013

Hello Kirstin and Welcome to Seven Forums.

First step I would try is to use a restore point to go back before this issue began. You can reach the restore point option from the "Repair" in the safe mode menu. It should be the first choice. Once you choose "Repair your computer" option choose your language. The tool will then begin checking for issues with start up. I know it's not a start up issue but it is part of the process. Once that's done you should see several options to use one being system restore.
See this Tutorial on how. System Recovery Options

Kirstin · 09 Jun 2013

Thanks, mohavepc. Unfortunately, that did not work.

what is my next step?

mohavepc · 09 Jun 2013

Sorry For the delay Kirstin and sorry to hear that didn't work for you. It sounds like there might some issues with file corruption. You mentioned it happens in safe mode as well? The next two steps I would recommend are as follows. And yes I know you have tried these before However I have found that there are times when you need to run disk check several times before everything is fixed. Also it might help to run these checks from a system dvd rather than off the repair partition of the hard drive in question. Also it would be helpful to know if you have a set of system discs or have access to a Windows 7 DVD to run these tests. Since your posting from your phone I don't imagine you have access to another computer in order to be able to create a set of disc's.

Try these once more and I will see if I can get some more info for you.

1) Run a disk check from the Command Prompt option of the Repair my computer F8 option. Disk Check Tutorial

2) Run a System file check to determine if system files are damaged from the same command prompt. System File Check Tutorial

Is Explorer the only thing effected? Do you have firefox or another browser installed? I would recommend a Malwarebytes scan to make sure this is not a security issue. Download and install the free version if possible.

Kirstin · 09 Jun 2013

Thanks - I had tried both of those prior to posting, and neither one of them would even complete.

I finally was able to look and see what was going on in Event Viewer. It kept giving the same 2 errors: Windows Explorer wasn't loading (duh), and something with thumbcache_1024.db being messed up. So I renamed thumbcache_1024.db to thumbcache_1024old.db, and the next time it tried to restart Explorer it created a new thumbache_1024.db and fixed itself. I think anyway...I'm using my computer now with no issues that I can tell. I plan to run another chkdsk and possibly a defrag later on because it's just sort of slow running.

Thanks for help, and this forum is very helpful - I got the suggestion about renaming from somewhere on here.

mohavepc · 09 Jun 2013

Glad you were able to look at the event viewer. I would definitely run both chkdsk and sfc /scannow again. A corrupted thumbnail cache database could be a sign of incorrect shutdown or malware. Run malwarebytes and clean your temps. please mark this thread as solved if you have no more issue with Explorer.
Have a great evening.