Many reasons can cause computer programs to malfunction, most of the time due to an error with the program, your operating system, or your drivers. When the program crashes only once, there is no need to worry, but if it occurs over and over try reinstalling it or undo recent changes to your system, but be aware that the same problem may recur.

Software Updates

Most applications crash and display erroneous information because of errors in their code. Once a problem is discovered, software developers create a patch to fix the problem. Check your application’s support section if it has not been updated previously. With many software packages downloaded from the Internet, you will need to install the application again instead of updating it.

System Updates

Updates to the operating system can solve the problem even when a specific application crashes or malfunctions. Microsoft regularly releases compatibility updates through Windows Update. These updates work for specific software programs, so they usually do not download automatically following a search in the Windows Update Control Panel. Click on “More Information” to know exactly which applications an update fixes.

Driver Updates

In your computer, drivers run the hardware behind the scenes. Outdated drivers, such as video drivers, can cause programs to crash, run poorly, or have problems with graphics. Some products can be updated through Windows Update; if you don’t want to use Windows Update, you can usually download drivers from the hardware manufacturer’s website. In the case of video drivers, most manufacturers do not make their own, so the best option comes from the respective sites for Nvidia and AMD, depending on the brand of video card you have. The Intel website has new graphics drivers if you don’t have a discrete graphics card.

Rolling Back

In spite of the fact that updates usually resolve issues, they can introduce brand-new bugs. So in case a program has stopped working after being updated – or even after updating another program – try reinstalling the older version that worked properly. If you aren’t able to locate a copy of the old version, use System Restore to restore the system to earlier versions. If you change this setting, your system will no longer be updated or include some programs you previously installed. Installing new add-ons and plugins can cause the crashing program to crash, so removing them can prevent the crashing program from crashing entirely.

Checking the Event Log

Whenever an application crashes, Windows logs some technical information on the cause of the crash. This can help you finding specific answers online or in reporting a bug to a developer. Open the Event Viewer by searching for “Event Viewer” in the Start menu or the Start screen. Click “Windows Logs” and then click “Application.” Look for entries marked “Error” or “Warning” to locate the crash information.

What Is an Application Error?

Software developers hate them and so do computer users. They occur when a web-based or desktop application malfunctions. Since it’s impossible to eliminate all conceivable errors, and to prove that all hardware and networking components on a computer are functioning correctly, these errors will always be present.

Misconceptions

Regardless of whether an application crashes, problems can still occur as programs are executed and can occur behind the scenes. Many programs are written so that they can detect minor errors in databases’ data, even if the errors never affect the user. An application’s functionality or data integrity are rarely affected by such errors, and the errors become non-critical over time.

Causes

A program can suddenly display application errors even when it works perfectly. Some program errors may occur if a new program modifies a shared file during a program’s installation process. This can cause software programs using the shared file to fail. However, most application problems arise from logic errors introduced either unknowingly during programming or during an application’s testing phase. Some defects in hardware, such as faulty sound cards, may pose a threat to media player applications. Regardless of whether a driver is malfunctioning or not, it can cause an application error to be displayed when printing.

Implications

Applications that do not work can be very inconvenient, and can also lead to major financial losses. There is no need to choose another color if your program displays “Error: Please select a different color”. The loss of millions of dollars due to a serious code error could have occurred in case a module had miscalculated the decimal point in a global sales application. As a result, program errors consume a great deal of time and money. This requires developers whose sole responsibility is to correct application errors.

Solutions

Ensure that the computers you use are updated and maintained. Manage your disk space by regular defragments and ensure that the hard drives you use have adequate free space. Keep yourself safe from viruses and other malware using antivirus programs. Also, keep up to date with the latest security updates and hot fixes provided by software vendors and Microsoft. Software updates may already be available if there’s an error in an application.

Interesting Fact

On Apollo 11, Apollo 11 was on the verge of touching down on the moon when one of the most famous and potentially catastrophic application errors occurred. NASA’s primitive onboard navigation system experienced an application error, leading NASA Commander Neil Armstrong, to direct the Lunar Module toward a boulder-filled crater. He ignored the computer’s instructions and landed the spacecraft manually.