How to fix Error 624 on Windows 11

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Windows Error 624: DLL Initialization Failed

Why This Error Happens

Error 624 with the “DLL Initialization Failed” message occurs when an application attempts to load or initialize during a system shutdown, logoff, or restart sequence, right as the window station (the secure object that manages desktop, keyboard, and mouse resources) is being torn down. This typically happens when a background process, scheduled task, or service tries to spawn a GUI-based application at the exact moment Windows is closing user sessions. It can also be triggered by corrupted user profile data or a third-party application that hooks into the shutdown process improperly, causing a race condition between the app’s initialization and the OS’s session cleanup.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Check Event Viewer for the Triggering Application
    Open Event Viewer (Win + X → Event Viewer), navigate to Windows Logs > Application, and locate the Error 624 entry. Note the exact application or process name listed as the source—this identifies what is trying to launch during shutdown.

  2. Disable Problematic Startup/Shutdown Scripts or Tasks
    Open Task Scheduler and check under Task Scheduler Library for any tasks set to trigger “On workstation lock” or “At log off.” Disable or reconfigure any task tied to the flagged application from Step 1.

  3. Update or Reinstall the Affected Application
    If a specific third-party app is causing the issue, navigate to C:\Program Files\[Application Folder] and check for a newer installer on the vendor’s site. Corrupted DLLs are common culprits—reinstalling refreshes all associated .dll files.

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

   sfc /scannow

Followed by:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This repairs corrupted system files that may be interfering with window station handling during shutdown.

  1. Check for Conflicting Antivirus or Security Software
    Some security suites inject DLLs into processes during shutdown. Temporarily disable third-party antivirus (via Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings) and see if the error persists on the next shutdown/restart cycle.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the Fix: Restart or shut down the machine 3-5 times consecutively and monitor Event Viewer for recurrence of Error 624. If the event log is clean, the issue is resolved.
  • Alternative Fix: If the error persists, create a new local user profile (Settings > Accounts > Other Users > Add account) and test shutdown behavior under the new profile—this isolates whether the issue is a corrupted user profile versus a system-wide fault.