A lot of users complain thatDesktop Windows Manager stopped working and was closedsuddenly.

What causes the problem?

How to fix it?

open Service Manager window via the Run box

Now, lets start exploring the answers together withMiniTool.

It works as dwm.exe in the background to fire up the use of hardware acceleration.

Sometimes, however, you may encounter some issues likedwm.exe high CPU or memoryand the one disused here.

enable Desktop Windows Manager Session Manager

Why Desktop Window manager stopped working and was closed suddenly.

According to a survey, the main reason behind the issue is thedisabled Desktop Window Manager service.

Here we will provide 11 proven fixes to you.

Rearrange your displays

Fix 1.

Heres how to check that.

Step 1.PressWin + Rkeys to open theRundialog box, and then typeservices.mscin it and hitEnter.

run an SFC scan

Step 2.Scroll down the list of services toDesktop Windows Manager Session Manager.

If it is not running, right-click it and selectStart.

Step 3.Right-nudge the service again and selectProperties.

click Roll Back Driver

Then change theStartup typetoAutomatic.

Step 4.Click onApplyandOKto save the changes.

Fix 2.

disable Aero Peek in Settings

Step 1.Right-pick the empty space on your desktop and selectDisplay controls.

Step 2.Go to theRearrange your displayssection and select display2from the list to rotate the second screen.

Step 3.Go down to theOrientationsection and selectLandscapefrom the drop-down menu.

defrag hard disk in Windows 10

Then you will be asked whether to keep the changes.

Fix 3.

Then click onYesin theUACwindow to grant the admin access.

check file system using MiniTool Partition Wizard

Step 2.In the elevated Command Prompt, typesfc /scannowcommand and hitEnter.

After that, this tool will scan and repair the corrupted system files automatically.

This process may take you some time and check that that it completes.

perform a surface test

Fix 4.

To identify the root cause of the conflict, we recommend that youperform a clean boot.

Once you confirmed that, you’re able to uninstall the program or disable it at startup.

bad blocks on a drive MiniTool

Fix 5.

In this case, you’re able to try updating or rolling back your graphics card driver.

For that:

Step 1.Right-click theStartmenu and selectDevice Managerfrom the elevated menu.

click Check for updates

Step 2.Expand theDisplay adapterscategory, and then right-nudge the graphics card driver and selectProperties.

Step 3.Navigate to theDrivertab and click onRoll Back Driverand follow the on-screen prompts to complete this process.

Then verify you follow any on-screen instructions to complete the update.

run a virus scan in Windows 10

Fix 6.

Here you could try disabling it and see if that works.

Step 1.Right-nudge the empty space on your taskbar and selectTask controls.

Then you could verify if the issue is gone.

If not, you’re able to re-enable it at the same location.

Fix 7.

In this case, you’ve got the option to defrag the hard disk usingDisk Defragmenterin Windows.

Note: Dont operate the defragment if you are using an SSD.

Step 1.Open theRundialog box, and then typedfrguiin it and hitEnter.

Step 2.grab the drive that you want to defrag from the list and click onOptimize.

Step 3.Wait for the optimization to complete.

Once done, reboot your PC and verify if the issue still occurs.

What can you do if you hold an SSD?

Just move down to the next solution.

Fix 8.

In addition, the disk defragment and CHKDSK is not suitable for SSDs.

Further reading:Is it safe to run CHKDSK on SSD?Get the answer from this post now!

MiniTool Partition Wizard is a powerful partition manager trusted by millions of users around the world.

It can check both physical and logical errors on an HDD/SSD easily.

Step 2.Select theCheck & fix detected errorsoption and click onStart.

Then this tool will start scanning the drive immediately and fix detected errors.

In the main interface, choose the drive you want to check and click onSurface Testfrom the left pane.

Step 4.tap on theStart nowbutton in the pop-up window.

After that, this tool will scan the whole disk immediately and show you the test result.

Under this situation, you may have to considerreplacing it with a new hard drive.

Fix 9.

Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft will release updated drivers, security features, and bug fixes regularly.

Many common issues can be resolved simply by updating the system to the latest version.

Here you may have a try.

Step 1.PressWin + Ikeys to open theSettingsapp and navigate to theUpdate & Securitysection.

Step 2.Click onCheck for updatesbutton to start downloading and installing all available Windows updates.

This process may take you a while.

yo wait for it to complete patiently.

Fix 10.

To exclude this factor, we recommend you run a virus scan using Windows Defender security.

If you dont know how to do that, it’s possible for you to refer tothis guide.

Fix 11.

If there is no system restore point in your Windows system, just clickhereto get an instruction.

What can you do when Desktop Windows Manager stopped working and was closed frequently?

Here are 11 applicable solutions in this post.

you might try the 11 fixes in order until the problem gets resolved.