So, you’re seeing a scary message saying “avpui.exe – Unknown Hard Error” pop up when you’re trying to shut down your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer. This message can look a bit worrying, especially because it pops up at such a crucial time – when you’re saying goodbye to your computer for a bit.
The main thing this error does is make your computer take a little longer to shut down – about 30 seconds more. Even though it’s a bit annoying, your computer does shut down eventually. But seeing that message all the time can make you wonder what’s going on and how to fix it.
Page Contents
What actually is avpui.exe?
Let’s talk about “avpui.exe” – it’s a part of Kaspersky antivirus software, mainly the bit that shows you all the visuals like notifications, settings, and alerts. This file makes sure you can easily interact with your antivirus. Normally, it’s doing its job quietly in the background, and you’d only really notice it if there’s a problem, like the error message we’re talking about.
This file is totally legit and an important part of Kaspersky. It’s not something bad or a sign of a virus. But sometimes, things go wrong, and that’s when you see errors like the one during shutdown.
Linked issue: Closing 1 App and Shutting Down in Windows 11/10 (Fix)
Why does avpui.exe cause an unknown hard error during shutdown?
That annoying “Unknown Hard Error” with avpui.exe might be a bit of a puzzle. It’s like a big question mark because the exact reason isn’t always clear. But here are a few things that could be causing the trouble:
Software conflicts
Other programs might not play nice with avpui.exe, leading to this error, especially when everything’s trying to close at shutdown.
Also see: Sihost.exe, Ctfmon.exe or Explorer.exe Unknown Hard Error
Corrupted files
The avpui.exe file, or some related system files, might get messed up because of software updates that didn’t go well, crashes, or even malware.
Outdated software
Not keeping your Kaspersky antivirus or your operating system up-to-date can also cause issues.
System issues
Or it could be a sign of bigger problems, like messed up Windows files or registry issues.
This “Unknown Hard Error” is just a way for Windows to say, “Hey, something’s wrong with avpui.exe, but I’m not sure what.” Figuring out the exact problem can be tricky, but knowing these common causes can help you start fixing it.
Related resource: What is avp.exe (Kaspersky) & its High CPU and Disk Usage
How to get rid of the “avpui.exe – Unknown Hard Error” pop-up during shutdown
Okay, so you want to fix this error on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer? Here’s what you can try:
Update Kaspersky Antivirus and Windows
First, make sure everything’s up-to-date. New updates can fix known issues.
Reinstall Kaspersky Antivirus
Try uninstalling and reinstalling Kaspersky. This can sort out problems with messed-up installation files.
Scan for malware with another tool
Use a different malware scanner to check for bad software that might be causing issues.
Run System File Checker (SFC)
This tool checks and fixes messed-up system files. Open Command Prompt as an admin and type sfc /scannow, then hit Enter.
Check for software conflicts
Look for other software, especially other antivirus programs, that might be clashing with Kaspersky.
Switch to a different antivirus solution
If nothing else works, trying a different antivirus could help figure out if Kaspersky is the problem.
If you’ve tried everything and it’s still not working, the Event Viewer tool in Windows might give you more clues about what’s going wrong.
Should you be concerned about leaving the error unresolved?
If this error only pops up now and then and doesn’t seem to cause any big problems, you might not need to worry too much. Computers can sometimes give you little errors that don’t really affect how they work overall.
But if this error keeps bugging you or you’re worried about what it might mean for your computer, trying a different antivirus might help you feel better. A fresh start with new software can sometimes make these annoying errors go away.
In the end, how much this error bothers you and affects your computer can help you decide what to do about it. A little error that doesn’t change much might not be a big deal, but if you want to be absolutely sure everything’s okay, checking out other options is always good.
Concluding thoughts
So, to wrap up, that “avpui.exe Unknown Hard Error” usually happens because of software errors, outdated stuff, or sometimes bad files. It’s not super common for Kaspersky users on Windows 10 and 11, but there are ways to fix it. Whether you decide to reinstall Kaspersky, update everything, or maybe switch to a different antivirus, it’s all about making sure your computer runs smoothly and keeps you worry-free.
