How to resolve errors related to bfsvc.exe?

Bfsvc.exe is an executable file belonging to the Windows operating system. It is a system process associated with Boot File Servicing Utility. Bfsvc.exe is required for the proper functioning of programs and applications in the Windows system. If you suddenly get errors related to bfsvc.exe, you must investigate the source of the problem and curb it before it spreads. System file errors are not a good sign, and if left unchecked, they could develop into something worse, like BSOD (blue screen of death) errors. In this post, we explain the possible causes of bfsvc.exe errors and show you how to fix them on your Windows PC.

What Causes Bfsvc.exe Errors?

Executable files contain important information that your computer uses to perform some of its core functions. Therefore, if a file is corrupted because of the bfsvc.exe problem, your PC may become inoperable. There are several scenarios that could cause errors related to the bfsvc.exe file/process. The errors can be quite frustrating, and in most cases, your computer generally becomes slow, some programs fail to start, and error messages constantly pop up on your screen. If the situation goes from bad to worse, you may encounter BSOD errors and system crashes.

Bfsvc.exe errors may appear during Windows startup or shutdown, when running an application, or when trying to install an application or a program. Here are some of the reasons that could trigger bfsvc.exe errors:

• invalid bfsvc.exe entries in the Windows registry;
• failed installations of applications;
• invalid registry entries left behind by uninstalled programs;
• malware that has modified, replaced or deleted the bfsvc.exe file;
• accidentally deleting the bfsvc.exe file or its registry entry;
• incomplete Windows updates;
• downloading a corrupt bfsvc.exe file online;
• hardware failure, such as a faulty hard disk drive;
• the unintentional deletion/uninstallation of the bfsvc.exe file by another program;
• overwriting the correct version of the bfsvc.exe file during the installation of a particular program;
• an outdated version of Windows;
• not installing the necessary system updates;
• outdated drivers or applications associated with bfsvc.exe.

The error messages that appear on your PC depend on what triggered them in the first place. That’s why it’s important to try and remember what you were doing when the error popped up for the first time. Some of the error messages related to bfsvc.exe that you might encounter include:

• Error starting program: bfsvc.exe.
• exe not found.
• exe is not running.
• exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
• exe Application Error.
• Windows could not start because the bfsvc.exe file is missing or corrupt.
• exe failed to initialize properly.

How to Fix the Bfsvc.exe Error in Windows 10

Important tip: We advise against downloading Windows system files from ‘EXE download’ websites. Usually, system files are installed during the installation of Windows applications that require them. Getting EXE files like bfsvc.exe from external sources puts your PC at risk of getting infected by malware.

Does the bfsvc.exe file prevent Windows from fully loading? If that’s so, then you’ll need to start Windows in Safe Mode to apply the solutions below.

Solution 1: Reboot Windows

Sometimes, when an error appears out of nowhere during normal PC usage, a simple reboot may provide the fix, especially if it’s a temporary glitch of the system. If this fix doesn’t work, try the other solutions covered in the post.

Solution 2: Uninstall or Reinstall the Affected Program

If the bfsvc.exe error occurred just after installing a specific program, then uninstalling it could fix the problem. Additionally, the improper installation of a program can cause such errors. If you suspect one of your programs to be responsible for the error, try reinstalling it. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Right-click “Start”, and select “Apps and Features”.
2. Once the list of apps populates, look for the suspicious application and click on it to highlight it.
3. Click “Uninstall” and then select “Uninstall” again.

You can also use the “Uninstall a program” option in “Control Panel”. After removing the program, restart your PC and check if the bfsvc.exe error has been resolved. If not, keep trying the solutions below.

Solution 3: Install the Latest Windows Updates

System errors are usually caused due to poor computer maintenance. To enjoy a smooth experience when using your PC, you need to keep all of your programs updated, including the Windows system. Windows 10 is designed to automatically receive and install updates unless you pause or defer them. If it has been a long time since you last checked if Windows was up to date, we recommend doing so right away using the steps below:

1. Press the Win + X shortcut and select “Settings”.
2. Open Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click on the “Check for updates” button. Windows will search online for available updates and automatically install them on your computer.
4. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Windows Update not only fixes bugs but also improves certain features in the Windows system.

Solution 4: Update Your Device Drivers

Driver issues can occur without warning and could be caused by a number of reasons, such as outdated or corrupt device drivers. As a result, some applications may fail to execute correctly.

But how do you find the exact driver that’s causing bfsvc.exe errors? With an efficient tool like Auslogics Driver Updater, you don’t need to. Rather than trying to manually update each driver or find the culprit, this program automatically updates your device drivers in two simple steps.

First, after installing Auslogics Driver Updater, it will automatically scan your PC to check for outdated, missing or damaged device drivers. You can check the detailed report by going to the “Diagnostics” tab. From here, you can decide to update each driver individually or all of them at once by clicking the “Update all” button.

The tool only installs the latest and official driver versions provided by the manufacturers. Keeping your drivers up to date ensures that your programs run smoothly, and Auslogics Driver Updater makes this easy for you by allowing you to schedule automatic scans.

If updating your drivers doesn’t fix bfsvc.exe errors, then the problem might not be related to hardware problems.

Solution 5: Run a Malware Scan

It’s possible that the bfsvc.exe error is the result of a malware infection. Malware can modify, corrupt or replace the bfsvc.exe file, causing some of your programs to malfunction. Malware can damage your system files and cause system crashes. For this reason, you need to protect your data and system by installing a reliable and powerful malware removal tool like Auslogics Anti-Malware. This tool is specifically designed to identify and remove all types of malware, including the newest ones.

Alternatively, you can use the built-in Windows Security tool, Windows Defender, to perform a malware scan. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Go to your taskbar and click on the “Windows Security” icon. If you can’t find it there, click the “Show hidden icons” option.
2. Click the “Virus & threat protection” option and select “Scan options”.
3. Choose “Windows Defender Offline scan”, and then select the “Scan now” button. Windows will restart and commence the scanning process. Once it’s done, check if the bfsvc.exe error has been resolved.

Solution 6: Repair Your System Files

File corruption can cause a myriad of issues on your PC, including system instability and system errors. Malware is among the major causes of corruption in system files. If the malware scan hasn’t found any suspicious entities, you can try to repair damaged system files and replace them with good ones using the built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool.

To run an SFC scan, follow the guide below:

1. Press the Win + X keyboard shortcut, and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”. If the option isn’t available, press the Windows Key and type in “cmd” (without quotes). Right-click “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
2. Type in sfc /scannow and hit “Enter”.
3. System File Checker will initiate the scanning process and try to repair or replace the problematic system files. Once it’s done, exit the “Command Prompt” window and restart your Windows device.

Solution 7: Use System Restore to Undo Recent Changes in Your Windows System

If you suspect that recent changes to your system, such as the installation or uninstallation of programs, could have caused the problem but you can’t pinpoint the exact reason, try using System Restore. The process will revert the changes to a previous state when everything was working just fine.

Here’s a guide on how to perform a System Restore:

1. Press the Windows Key, type in “System Restore” (without quotes) and hit “Enter”.
2. Select “System Restore” and click “Next”.
3. Choose a restore point around the time when the bfsvc.exe error first occurred. Check the “Show more restore points” box to see other options.
4. Click “Next”.
5. Confirm that you’ve selected the correct restore point and then select “Finish”.

Your computer will restart, so make sure that you save any important work. After the System Restore process is complete, the bfsvc.exe error should be fixed.

Solution 8: Repair the Registry

The Windows Registry stores system configurations, critical data, and virtually all the information that the Windows OS requires to function properly. That’s why it’s not advisable to edit the registry without proper technical know-how. Therefore, you should ensure that registry-related issues are dealt with as soon as they occur.  There are many applications that you can use to repair the registry. We recommend Auslogics Registry Cleaner, an effective tool that’s safe and easy to use.

The tool removes invalid registry entries left behind after the installation and uninstallation of some programs, helping your programs run smoothly without glitches.

Solution 9: Reinstall Windows

This process is the final resort when all the troubleshooting steps you could find have failed. The process wipes all your software and data and installs a fresh copy of Windows. It’s a long process but one that’s worth trying if it’s the only thing left to fix bfsvc.exe errors.

Still experiencing errors related to bfsvc.exe? Comment below to get assistance from our technical team.