How to fix Error 1002 on Windows 11

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Why This Error Happens

Error 1002 (Application Hang) occurs when a window’s message queue becomes unresponsive because the application’s main thread is blocked, preventing it from processing sent messages (like SendMessage calls from Windows or other processes) within the expected timeout period. This is commonly caused by a deadlock in the application, a corrupted DLL dependency, or a driver conflict that stalls the UI thread. Insufficient system resources (RAM/CPU) or third-party antivirus hooks intercepting window messages can also trigger this hang.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Check Event Viewer for context: Press Win + X → Event Viewer → navigate to Windows Logs > Application. Filter for Event ID 1002 and note the exact Faulting application name and module path to identify the culprit process.

  2. Update or reinstall the affected application: If the hang points to a specific program, open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, locate it, and select Modify/Repair. If no repair option exists, uninstall and reinstall the latest version from the vendor.

  3. Run System File Checker and DISM: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

   sfc /scannow
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This repairs corrupted system files that may interfere with window message handling.

  1. Disable conflicting overlays/hooks: Temporarily disable third-party antivirus, screen recording tools (e.g., Discord overlay, OBS), or RGB software (Corsair iCUE, Razer Synapse) that inject into window procedures. Restart the app to see if the hang persists.

  2. Update GPU and chipset drivers: Go to Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU → Update driver. Outdated graphics drivers frequently cause UI thread stalls on Windows 11.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the fix: Reopen the previously affected application and let it run under normal load for 15–20 minutes; check Event Viewer again to confirm no new Event ID 1002 entries appear.
  • Alternative fix: If the issue persists, create a new local user profile (Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account) and test the app there—if the hang disappears, the original user profile is corrupted and should be rebuilt.