Eap3Host.exe is a system file/process developed by Microsoft Corporation to be used in Windows operating systems. As an executable file, it serves an important role in ensuring that certain Windows programs function correctly. While executable files like Eap3Host.exe are crucial to the Windows system, they are also vulnerable to malware attacks. Hackers know that injecting malware into system files gives them access to your system so that they can manipulate your computer to steal sensitive information or damage your data.
Generally, executable files like Eap3Host.exe rarely cause problems since they don’t consume a lot of system resources. So, when you run into Eap3Host.exe errors, it is highly likely that the file has been deleted, corrupted or replaced by malware. In this post, you’ll learn how to fix Error starting program: Eap3Host.exe so that you can get back to using your computer normally.
What If Eap3Host.exe Could Not Be Found in Windows 10?
Like we mentioned above, system files don’t usually cause issues. However, when you receive error messages related to a system process like Eap3Host.exe, chances are high that your computer is infected by malware.
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Some of the common error messages that you may encounter include:
- exe could not be started
- exe Application Error
- exe could not be found
- exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience
- Error starting program: Eap3Host.exe
- The file Eap3Host.exe is missing or corrupt
- exe – Bad Image
- exe – Runtime Error
- exe – Entry Point Not Found
- exe – System Error
- Cannot find Eap3Host.exe
- Faulting Application Path: Eap3Host.exe
- exe is not running
The Eap3Host.exe error messages may appear on Windows startup or shutdown, when trying to run a program associated with the Eap3Host.exe file, or during the installation of a program. Knowing when the errors first occurred and what you were doing on your computer at that time can greatly help when it comes to troubleshooting.
Various reasons could trigger Eap3Host.exe error messages. Here are some of the common causes of errors related to the Eap3Host.exe file/process:
- The Eap3Host.exe file was intentionally or unintentionally deleted by another application and is therefore missing.
- The Eap3Host.exe file is infected by spyware, a Trojan, a worm, adware, or another malicious actor.
- The associated entries of the Eap3Host.exe file are corrupted in the Windows registry.
- There is faulty or outdated hardware on your PC.
- The application that requires the Eap3Host.exe file to run is not installed correctly.
- There is a software conflict on your computer.
How to Fix Eap3Host.exe Runtime Error
Runtime errors describe those Windows errors that occur during runtime, that is, when the Windows system is attempting to load the Eap3Host.exe file during startup or when it is already running.
In most cases, when runtime errors occur, the affected program is terminated without warning and you may end up losing your work. If the error is not resolved, Windows may be unable to start normally. Therefore, when faced with Eap3Host.exe runtime errors, it is crucial that you solve them immediately. Here are some of the tried and tested solutions that could help you get rid of such errors.
Solution 1: Run an SFC Scan
System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility that helps users to restore and replace missing or corrupted system files. Running an SFC scan may help to fix the ‘cannot find Eap3Host.exe’ error message. Here’s how to scan your system files using the SFC tool:
- Open the Quick Link Menu using the Win + X shortcut and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”. If you see “PowerShell” instead of “Command Prompt”, press the Windows Key, and type in “cmd” (without quotes). Right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator”.
- Choose “Yes” when you get the UAC prompt.
- Enter the command line sfc /scannow and hit “Enter”. System File Checker will commence the scanning process to try to find and resolve problems with your system files. The process may take a while to complete, and you should allow it to run uninterrupted.
- Once the process is complete, follow the on-screen instructions, if any, to fix any issues found.
- Restart your computer and check if the error messages are still popping up. If they are, try solution 2 below.
Solution 2: Run a Malware Scan
In most cases, malware corrupts, deletes or replaces system files without your knowledge. That’s why you must run a malware scan to determine if you’ve been infected. You can use the built-in Windows Defender to try and remove viruses and malware that could be hiding in your system. To use Windows Defender, follow this guide:
- Press the Win + I shortcut to bring up the “Settings” app.
- Open Update & Security > Windows Security, and select “Virus & threat protection”.
- You can use the “Quick scan” option to perform a quick scan on your PC.
- However, for a deeper analysis, select “Scan options” and choose between “Full scan” or “Windows Defender Offline scan” to remove malware that is difficult to find.
While Windows Defender may remove some types of malware, others are too complex and designed to bypass firewalls and infect your system undetected. For this reason, we recommend installing a more powerful and reliable malware removal tool like Auslogics Anti-Malware.
The application offers outstanding protection against all kinds of malware, thereby protecting your data against unauthorized access. The tool performs a thorough scan of the entire system, including browsers, browser extensions, system memory, the registry, and all the installed programs to detect and remove malware that an ordinary antivirus program may miss.
What’s more, Auslogics Anti-Malware doesn’t conflict with your antivirus software or Windows Defender. Instead, it creates a security buffer that makes it difficult for malware to penetrate. As a result, you get maximum protection from malware and boost the security of your system.
Solution 3: Update Windows and Device Drivers
To keep your Windows system running optimally, you need to install all pending updates. Likewise, you need to update your device drivers to the latest versions to ensure that all your programs run smoothly.
To update your system and drivers, follow the steps below:
- Press the Windows Key and I simultaneously, and then choose Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click the “Check for updates” button to check if your system is up to date. If updates are available, Windows will automatically download and install them on your computer.
- Reboot Windows to complete the process.
In Windows 10, drivers are updated with Windows Update. However, Windows may not always deliver the required driver versions. To ensure that all your device drivers receive the latest updates, we recommend installing a third-party tool like Auslogics Driver Updater. The program is specifically designed to check the system, detect all the missing and outdated drivers and install the latest official driver versions directly from the manufacturers’ websites.
Solution 4: Revert Recent Changes Made to Your System
Performing a system restore allows users to restore their systems back to a state when everything was functioning properly. To use this feature more effectively, it is important to try and recall when the error messages started to appear first. This way, you can select a time period just before the errors started to occur. Here are the steps on how to perform a system restore on your Windows 10 PC:
- Hit the Windows Key or click the “Start” button.
- Type in “System Restore” (without quotes) and then select “Create a restore point” from the search results.
- Click “System Restore” to initiate the restoration process and then click “Next”.
- Choose a restore point that is closest to the time when you first started to experience the Eap3Host.exe error messages.
- Click “Next” and then click “Finish” to start a system restore. Remember to save your work before performing a system restore since your computer will need to restart to complete the process.
Performing a system restore reverts changes made to your system and should get rid of the Eap3Host.exe runtime errors.
We mentioned that Eap3Host.exe is a system file. This means that the genuine Eap3Host.exe file should only be provided by the publisher, Microsoft Corporation. Therefore, avoid any other website claiming to offer the Eap3Host.exe replacement file since you might download a Trojan, adware, spyware, or other forms of malware.
We hope you were able to remove the Eap3Host.exe error messages on your Windows 10 PC. For queries or assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by leaving your comments below.