How to fix Generic Host For Win32 Error

Generic Host for Win32 and Svchost.exe errors have been the bane of Windows computers for a long time. Most users do not know how to fix this, and consequently suffer.

Identify Generic host for Win32 error

Some common methods of identifying Generic host for Win32 error are given below. Note that there may be other error messages too.

1. While connected to the internet, your network goes dead. The internet icon in taskbar remains, but you cannot use internet.
2. You get the message “Generic Host Process for Win32 has encountered a problem and needs to quit.”
3. You get a message about faulty svchost.exe and netapi32.dll.

There are a few known hacks and registry edits to fix Generic Host for Win32 errors, as shown below. You should use the registry hack only if you are an advanced user and know at least the basics of registry editing and command line(otherwise, use method 1).

Update patch for Generic host for Win32 error

Download and install the Microsoft Update Patch.

Fix Generic host for Win32 error

Go to Start > Run, type cmd and hit enter.

Type netsh and hit enter.

Type winsock and hit enter. Now, type reset. You will get a message like below:

Restart Windows for the fix to be applied.

Registry hack to fix Generic Host for Win32

Go to Start > Run, type in regedit and hit OK. This will bring up the Windows registry editor.

Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Browser > Parameters

Find the key IsDomainMaster. Double click and enter False (as shown in image above).

Restart Windows for the fix to be in effect.