There ‘task host stops background tasks‘ appears when you try to shut down your computer. It prevents your system from shutting down even if you try to “force shutdown”. Forcing shutdowns is usually not a good idea, but if it’s taking a long time, you can long-press the power button as a last resort.
Waiting a while usually fixes the problem, but if it doesn’t, you can follow up with us in this article to find out what’s causing it and how to fix it.
Why does Task Host stop background tasks?
This problem appears because there is probably a Windows update or another service installed in the background that is delaying the shutdown process. It usually stays on for a while and automatically shuts off when the process is complete. However, if not, you can try the methods below and fix the problem.
How to Fix Task Host Preventing Shutdown?
These types of errors usually stay for 30-60 seconds and resolve on their own. However, if it keeps the shutdown process going for quite a long time, the installation process may encounter issues. Here are some possible fixes you can try:
Check Windows Update
Since Windows is trying to install updates and preventing your PC from shutting down, you might want to wait for that to happen. You can check the update progress in Windows Update settings.
The steps below will guide you on how to check the progress.
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- Click on Updates and Security.
- Select Windows Update in the left pane.
- Click on Check for updates.This will show you the current status of the update process.
You can also check the update history by clicking on the ‘View update history.‘Pausing Update is also a good solution to pause Windows Update temporarily. Just click “Pause updates for 7 days”. It will even pause any ongoing update process.
Restart the installer service
The installer service is a Windows service that takes care of the installation of Windows system programs. You can try restarting this service. Here’s how:
- Right-click on the taskbar and click on task manager.
- Go to the Services tongue.
- Look for ‘Installation Service.’ Sort by name and navigate to “I” for easy searches.
- Right-click on the service and click To restart.
Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot excludes all services except verified Microsoft services. Third-party services can conflict with core Microsoft services, causing issues. You can learn how to do a clean boot here:
- Hurry
Windows + R,
typemsconfig
in the box and press Enter. - Go to the Services tongue.
- Check the box labeled ‘Hide all Microsoft services.’
- Click on Disable everything and press OK.
- It will then ask you to restart your computer. You must force restart your computer to apply the changes. You can either reboot now or click Exit without restarting to apply the changes the next time you start your computer.
To note: Remember to undo all changes later.
Find corrupt files
You can use the sfc /scannow command in the command prompt to scan your system for corrupt files. This command will automatically scan for corrupted files and repair them for you.
- To research
cmd
in the search bar and Run as administrator. - Type the following command and press Enter after each command:
sfc/scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restore Health
Disable fast startup
Fast Startup is a Windows feature that makes the computer load faster at startup. When Windows Fast Startup is enabled, Windows enters hybrid shutdown and hibernation mode when you press the shutdown button. Also, the next time you turn it on, it simply resumes the session. You can disable this mode in the power options.
Here are the steps:
- Access power options by right-clicking the battery icon on the taskbar.
- Click on Choose what the power button does in the left panel.
- Click on Change currently unavailable settings. You may be asked to enter your administrator password.
- Uncheck the Enable fast startup (recommended) to disable fast startup.
Perform Defender Offline Scan
The defender offline scan is a deep scan that runs on restart. It will even remove difficult malware that cannot be detected otherwise.
Here are the steps:
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- Click on Update and security.
- Select Windows Security from the left pane.
- Click on Protection against viruses and threats.
- Click on Scan options.
- Scroll down and select choose Microsoft Defender Offline Scan
- Click on scan now. It will restart your computer and start the scan after the restart.
Troubleshooting Windows Update
You can use the built-in Windows troubleshooter to troubleshoot update issues. The program will automatically find and fix any problems found. Follow these steps to learn how to do it.
- Press Windows key + I
- Select Updates and Security.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Click on Additional convenience stores.
- Expand Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter. This will automatically check for faults and fix them for you.
Editing the registry
We strongly recommend that you back up the registry before making any changes to it (LINK). The registry is an important part of the computer, so if you want to modify it, the backup will come in handy. You will be fine if you just follow these steps.
- Press Windows key + R to open Run.
- Type
regedit
and press Enter. - Follow this root in the registry editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Control
- Right click on the WaitToKillServicesTimeout and set the value data to 3000 and click OK.
- Again, go to this root:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop
- Right click on the WaitToKillServiceTimeout again and set the value to 3000 and click OK.
This changes the system’s wait time to force stop the service. Setting a very low value is not a good idea because the service will not have enough time to save its work, and abrupt shutdowns could also lead to data corruption.
There ‘task host stops background tasks‘ appears when you try to shut down your computer. It prevents your system from shutting down even if you try to “force shutdown”. Forcing shutdowns is usually not a good idea, but if it’s taking a long time, you can long-press the power button as a last resort.
Waiting a while usually fixes the problem, but if it doesn’t, you can follow up with us in this article to find out what’s causing it and how to fix it.
Why does Task Host stop background tasks?
This problem appears because there is probably a Windows update or another service installed in the background that is delaying the shutdown process. It usually stays on for a while and automatically shuts off when the process is complete. However, if not, you can try the methods below and fix the problem.
How to Fix Task Host Preventing Shutdown?
These types of errors usually stay for 30-60 seconds and resolve on their own. However, if it keeps the shutdown process going for quite a long time, the installation process may encounter issues. Here are some possible fixes you can try:
Check Windows Update
Since Windows is trying to install updates and preventing your PC from shutting down, you might want to wait for that to happen. You can check the update progress in Windows Update settings.
The steps below will guide you on how to check the progress.
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- Click on Updates and Security.
- Select Windows Update in the left pane.
- Click on Check for updates.This will show you the current status of the update process.
You can also check the update history by clicking on the ‘View update history.‘Pausing Update is also a good solution to pause Windows Update temporarily. Just click “Pause updates for 7 days”. It will even pause any ongoing update process.
Restart the installer service
The installer service is a Windows service that takes care of the installation of Windows system programs. You can try restarting this service. Here’s how:
- Right-click on the taskbar and click on task manager.
- Go to the Services tongue.
- Look for ‘Installation Service.’ Sort by name and navigate to “I” for easy searches.
- Right-click on the service and click To restart.
Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot excludes all services except verified Microsoft services. Third-party services can conflict with core Microsoft services, causing issues. You can learn how to do a clean boot here:
- Hurry
Windows + R,
typemsconfig
in the box and press Enter. - Go to the Services tongue.
- Check the box labeled ‘Hide all Microsoft services.’
- Click on Disable everything and press OK.
- It will then ask you to restart your computer. You must force restart your computer to apply the changes. You can either reboot now or click Exit without restarting to apply the changes the next time you start your computer.
To note: Remember to undo all changes later.
Find corrupt files
You can use the sfc /scannow command in the command prompt to scan your system for corrupt files. This command will automatically scan for corrupted files and repair them for you.
- To research
cmd
in the search bar and Run as administrator. - Type the following command and press Enter after each command:
sfc/scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restore Health
Disable fast startup
Fast Startup is a Windows feature that makes the computer load faster at startup. When Windows Fast Startup is enabled, Windows enters hybrid shutdown and hibernation mode when you press the shutdown button. Also, the next time you turn it on, it simply resumes the session. You can disable this mode in the power options.
Here are the steps:
- Access power options by right-clicking the battery icon on the taskbar.
- Click on Choose what the power button does in the left panel.
- Click on Change currently unavailable settings. You may be asked to enter your administrator password.
- Uncheck the Enable fast startup (recommended) to disable fast startup.
Perform Defender Offline Scan
The defender offline scan is a deep scan that runs on restart. It will even remove difficult malware that cannot be detected otherwise.
Here are the steps:
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- Click on Update and security.
- Select Windows Security from the left pane.
- Click on Protection against viruses and threats.
- Click on Scan options.
- Scroll down and select choose Microsoft Defender Offline Scan
- Click on scan now. It will restart your computer and start the scan after the restart.
Troubleshooting Windows Update
You can use the built-in Windows troubleshooter to troubleshoot update issues. The program will automatically find and fix any problems found. Follow these steps to learn how to do it.
- Press Windows key + I
- Select Updates and Security.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Click on Additional convenience stores.
- Expand Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter. This will automatically check for faults and fix them for you.
Editing the registry
We strongly recommend that you back up the registry before making any changes to it (LINK). The registry is an important part of the computer, so if you want to modify it, the backup will come in handy. You will be fine if you just follow these steps.
- Press Windows key + R to open Run.
- Type
regedit
and press Enter. - Follow this root in the registry editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Control
- Right click on the WaitToKillServicesTimeout and set the value data to 3000 and click OK.
- Again, go to this root:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop
- Right click on the WaitToKillServiceTimeout again and set the value to 3000 and click OK.
This changes the system’s wait time to force stop the service. Setting a very low value is not a good idea because the service will not have enough time to save its work, and abrupt shutdowns could also lead to data corruption.