What does atibtmon.exe do and how to fix the runtime error?

“If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.”
– Jim Rohn

Section A

Even though Windows 10 is the newest operating system Microsoft has produced, it still has some of the problems of the older versions of Windows. For example, the atibtmon.exe runtime error is a problem which started with Windows 8, but users still encounter the same issue with Windows 10 up till now in 2018. If you have encountered this problem, you must be worried why it occurred and also if your computer is not functioning properly. Let me assure you that I will show you all the steps to fix the atibtmon.exe runtime error in this article. You will not need to take your computer for repair.

For you to better understand why this error occurs, you need to know what a runtime error is. A runtime error is a program error that happens when the program is running. From this definition, you can deduce what the atibtmon.exe runtime error is. The next question we need to answer in this article is “what does atibtmon.exe do”? It is a software component of ATI Brightness Monitor produced by ATI. Using this program, users can access the brightness option of their displays through the Windows System Tray. Atibtmon.exe is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled without it causing any significant effect on your PC.

ATIBtMon stands for Array Technologies Inc. Brightness Monitor. The .exe at the end of any filename shows that it is an executable file. Sometimes these types of files can cause harm to your computer. I will provide some info about atibtmon.exe for you to decide if you want it on your PC. Consider it as the problem that needs fixing. This file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder on your PC, and it is about 118,784 bytes in size. It is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. It is sometimes an invisible file. Note that when a file is not visible the technical security rating is 15% dangerous, but you can always check for reviews about the file. Atibtmon.exe is designed to work with ATI graphic cards. That is why many users that encounter this problem have ATI graphic cards installed in their PCs.
Also, some malware disguises themselves as atibtmon.exe. I suggest you check the location of the suspected file: if it is not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, then you should consider deleting the file. Check that using the following steps with Windows 10:

1. Open the Start menu and type Task Manager or press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard, then select Task Manager.
2. On the Processes tab, right-click on atibtmon.exe and select Open file location
3. This will open the location of the file.

Many users experience this atibtmon.exe runtime error with Windows 10 when they unplug their laptop from the AC power cord. This happens because atibtmon.exe is designed to switch your PC to power-saving mode when you unplug the power. That is to decrease screen display brightness and shut down some processes.
Another way to get rid of the disguised malware is by installing Auslogics Anti-malware.
This software will scan and remove any malware from your computer. It is one of the easiest ways to deal with problems caused by malware.

Section B

In this section, we will talk about the fixes for the atibtmon.exe runtime error.

Solution 1

One of the easiest solutions is to disable this process in Windows Task Manager, but this will mean that you have to forgo the power-saving option of your PC. Your computer will not automatically switch to the power-saving option when you unplug the power. You can do it manually.

1. Open the Start menu and type Task Manager or press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard, then select Task Manager.
2. On the Processes tab, right-click on atibtmon.exe and select End Task.

Solution 2

Turn-off Vari-Bright in Catalyst Control Center. This is available only to those with ATI graphic cards

1. Open Catalyst Control Center by searching it from the Start menu.
2. Now click on Power and on the drop-list click on PowerPlay.
3. On this tab, uncheck the Enable Vari-Bright™
4. Click Apply to save the setting, this should resolve the issue.

Another way to do this is by following these steps:

• Go to the Home button or Start Menu and click Settings.
• Once in Settings go to System; Display, notification, apps, power
• Scroll down to Power and sleep.
• In Related settings, click on Additional power settings. This opens up your Power options screen.
• Under Plans shown on the battery meter, there are 2 options: Balanced (recommended) and Power Saver. Depending on the Plan you are using, click on Change plan settings.
• Once you are in your Edit Plan Settings, click on Change advanced power settings.
• When the Power Options box opens, scroll down to ATI Graphics Power Settings.
• Click on ATI Powerplay Settings, change all the options to Maximize Performance.
• Click on Apply and then OK to save your changes.

Solution 3

Rename / delete atibtmon.exe. I will advise you to try this solution only if the above methods and fixes do not help, and I strongly recommend that you have Catalyst Control Center before trying this solution.

First, you need to locate the file.

• Open the Start menu and type Task Manager or press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard, then select Task Manager.
• On the Processes tab, right-click on atibtmon.exe and select Open file location
• This will open the location of the file.

Sometimes atibtmon.exe is set as a hidden file so you need to unhide it, which can be done in Folder Options. This file is usually located in Windows directory. If it is not there, then it should be in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Once you find the file, right-click on it and choose Rename. For example, rename it to “2atibtmon”. This should fix the problem. Try not to delete the file because deleting a system file may have consequences and stop some processes which are vital for the functioning of your computer.
Thank you for reading the article, and I hope it has solved the atibtmon.exe runtime error problem. Make sure you share this article with others facing similar problems with atibtmon.exe.

Do you have any ideas or questions regarding this issue?
We are looking forward to your comments!