How To Fix “Something Went Wrong” Error On (2024)

Encountering the “Something Went Wrong” error on your Windows 10 computer can be incredibly frustrating. This error can appear in various situations, from trying to update your system to launching applications or even browsing the internet. It’s crucial to address this error promptly to ensure your computer functions smoothly and efficiently. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to diagnose and fix the “Something Went Wrong” error on Windows 10.

Recognising the “Something Went Wrong” Mistake

Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand what this error entails. The “Something Went Wrong” message is a generic error that Windows 10 uses to indicate a problem. This can range from minor software glitches to more severe hardware issues.

Common Scenarios Where This Error Occurs

• During Windows updates
• While installing or launching applications
• When accessing certain websites or online services
• Using specific hardware peripherals

Potential Causes of the Error

• Outdated software or drivers
• Corrupted system files
• Insufficient system resources (RAM, CPU)
• Network connectivity issues
• Malware or virus infections

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Before moving on to more advanced fixes, it’s always a good idea to start with some basic troubleshooting steps. These can often resolve the issue without the need for more complex solutions.

Fix 1: Restart Your Device

The simplest solution is often the most effective. Restarting your computer can resolve many temporary issues that might be causing the error.

Fix 2: Check for Updates

Ensure your Windows 10 system is up-to-date. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix known issues and improve system stability.

• Go to Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Select Windows Update and click Check for updates.

Fix 3: Clear Cache and Cookies

If the error occurs while browsing the internet, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies might help.

• Open your browser.

• Go to the Settings or Options menu.
• Find the section for Privacy or History and select Clear browsing data.

Fix 4: Device-Specific Solutions

If the initial troubleshooting steps didn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to dive into more specific solutions tailored to Windows 10.

Fix 5: Fixing the Error on Windows 10

Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically find and fix common problems.

• Go to Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
• Choose the type of troubleshooter that matches your problem (e.g., Windows Update, Internet Connections) and follow the on-screen instructions.

Fix 6: Check for System Updates

Even if you’ve checked for updates previously, it’s worth doing it again to ensure nothing was missed.

• Go to Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Select Windows Update and click Check for updates.

Fix 7: Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can cause a variety of errors, including the “Something Went Wrong” message. Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair these files.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

• Wait for the scan to complete and follow any instructions provided.

Fix 8: Update Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause many issues. Ensure all your drivers are up-to-date.

• Click the Start button, then select Device Manager. Expand each category and look for devices marked with an exclamation point.
• Right-click on the device and select Update driver.

Fix 9: Check Network Connectivity

If the error occurs while using the internet, it might be due to network issues.

• Restart your modem and router.
• Run the Network Troubleshooter by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter.

Fix 10: Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help determine if a background program is causing the error.

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

• Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
• Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• Disable all startup items and close Task Manager.

• Click OK in the System Configuration window and restart your computer.

Fix 11: Advanced Troubleshooting

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting techniques.

Fix 12: Reset Windows Update Components

Sometimes, Windows Update components can become corrupted. Resetting them can resolve update-related errors.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Fix 13: Use System Restore

If the error started occurring recently, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
• Click Open System Restore and follow the prompts to choose a restore point.

Fix 14: Reinstall Windows 10

As a last resort, you might need to reinstall Windows 10. This should only be done if all other methods fail.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
• Under Reset this PC, click Get started and choose either Keep my files or Remove everything.

Conclusion

Dealing with the “Something Went Wrong” error on Windows 10 can be a hassle, but with the right steps, you can troubleshoot and fix the issue. From simple solutions like restarting your device and checking for updates to more advanced methods like resetting Windows Update components and using System Restore, there are various ways to tackle this error. If all else fails, reinstalling Windows 10 may be necessary to ensure your system runs smoothly.

Related: The ‘Your PC Did Not Start Correctly’ Error

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