The “COM Surrogate” error is a common problem that Windows users face, and it can be frustrating. You might see a pop-up saying “COM Surrogate has stopped working” when trying to open files or browse your media. This error happens because of problems with the COM Surrogate process, which is a system tool used by Windows to run certain programs. Don’t worry! You can fix it with a few easy steps.
This error often occurs when you’re using programs like media players or web browsers. The good news is that COM Surrogate errors are usually simple to fix. In this post, we will walk you through different methods to solve this problem, including fixing display drivers, updating codecs, and adjusting some settings. Let’s start with the first solution!
What is COM Surrogate and Why Does It Cause Errors
The COM Surrogate is an important part of your computer. It helps run some programs by hosting other processes like files and media. When you try to open a file, this process makes sure everything shows up properly on your screen. Even though it’s important, sometimes it stops working, and you might see an error message that says, “COM Surrogate has stopped working.”
This error can appear while opening media files, like videos or images, or when using certain applications. It happens because COM Surrogate sometimes crashes due to problems with your computer’s system or software. These crashes can be caused by a few things, including corrupted files or outdated drivers. But don’t worry—this is fixable!
One reason this error happens is when media files are not compatible with the system. Sometimes, the codecs (programs that help play these files) are out of date. When COM Surrogate tries to open these files, it doesn’t work well and causes the error to pop up. But there are simple solutions to get your system back to normal.
How to Fix COM Surrogate “Has Stopped Working” in Easy Steps
To fix the COM Surrogate error, there are a few easy steps you can follow. First, make sure your computer’s software and drivers are up to date. If the problem started after installing new software, try to uninstall it and see if the error goes away. It’s always a good idea to check if the software you’re using is fully compatible with your version of Windows.
One quick fix is to roll back your display driver to the one that worked before. Display drivers help your computer show images and videos. Sometimes, newer drivers cause problems, and rolling them back can solve the error. To do this, go to your Device Manager, right-click the display driver, and select “Roll Back Driver.”
Another fix is to reset your Internet Explorer settings. This method helps if the error happens when you try to print or open something from the web. Resetting Internet Explorer can remove unwanted settings that might be causing the problem. You can reset it by going to the “Internet Properties” and selecting the “Reset” button.
Why Does COM Surrogate Crash? Common Causes Explained
The COM Surrogate process crashes for different reasons, but the main cause is often due to software or hardware problems. One of the most common issues is outdated or broken codecs. Codecs are small programs that help your computer play media files like pictures, videos, and music. If your codecs are old or not working properly, COM Surrogate might crash when trying to open those files.
Another cause is faulty display drivers. If your computer’s display drivers aren’t updated or become corrupted, it might affect the way COM Surrogate works. In some cases, malware might also disguise itself as COM Surrogate and cause the error. This can affect your computer’s performance and lead to more issues, like slower speeds or data loss.
To fix these issues, you might need to update your drivers or install new codecs. You can also check for viruses using an antivirus program. Keeping your software updated and scanning for malware regularly helps prevent these crashes from happening.
Roll Back Your Display Driver to Fix COM Surrogate Issues
One of the easiest ways to solve COM Surrogate errors is by rolling back your display driver. Display drivers help your computer show images, videos, and graphics. If there’s a problem with the driver, it can cause COM Surrogate to crash. Sometimes, when Windows automatically updates drivers, it can cause compatibility issues. Rolling back to the previous driver can often fix the issue.
To roll back your driver, open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “hdwwiz.cpl.” Then, find “Display Adapters” in the list, right-click on it, and select “Properties.” In the “Driver” tab, you’ll see the option to “Roll Back Driver.” If the option is grayed out, try updating your driver or reinstalling it.
It’s a quick and easy fix that can solve a lot of problems related to COM Surrogate errors. If this doesn’t work, you can move on to the next solution to get your computer back to normal.
How to Renew Codecs and Stop COM Surrogate Errors
Sometimes, COM Surrogate crashes because of outdated or corrupted codecs. Codecs are small programs that help your computer play media files. When they’re old or broken, COM Surrogate might fail while trying to open videos, images, or other files. The best way to solve this is by renewing your codecs.
You can download a fresh set of codecs from the official Microsoft website or from trusted sources. After downloading, follow the instructions to install them. This will help your computer recognize and play all kinds of media files without any errors.
If you want to make sure your codecs are always up to date, you can use software that automatically updates them. Keeping your codecs up to date is an easy way to prevent COM Surrogate errors from happening in the future.
Quick Steps to Register vbscript and jscript DLLs for COM Surrogate Fix
In some cases, the COM Surrogate error can be fixed by registering system files called DLLs. These are essential files that help your computer run smoothly. If the required DLLs are not registered properly, COM Surrogate might stop working. The two files you need to check are “vbscript.dll” and “jscript.dll.”
To register these files, you can use the Command Prompt. First, press the Windows key + R, type “cmd,” and press Enter. Then, in the Command Prompt window, type “regsvr32 vbscript.dll” and press Enter. After that, do the same for “jscript.dll.” This will re-register the files and help fix the COM Surrogate error.
If this doesn’t work, you can try other fixes like updating your drivers or checking for malware.
Is Your Internet Explorer Causing the COM Surrogate Error? Here’s How to Fix It
If you’re seeing the COM Surrogate error when trying to print or access files from the web, it might be an issue with Internet Explorer. Some settings in the browser can conflict with COM Surrogate, causing it to stop working. Luckily, this is easy to fix by resetting Internet Explorer’s settings.
To do this, press the Windows key + R, type “inetcpl.cpl” and press Enter. In the window that opens, go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Reset.” Make sure to check the option that says “Delete Personal Settings” before clicking “Reset.” This will remove any settings that could be causing the problem.
After resetting, restart your computer to see if the COM Surrogate error is gone. This solution works well if the error happens when using the browser or printing something from the web.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the COM Surrogate error is a common problem that can be easily fixed with a few simple steps. Whether it’s due to outdated drivers, corrupted codecs, or software conflicts, there are many ways to solve it. By keeping your drivers up to date, rolling back your display driver, or fixing your codecs, you can make your computer work like new again. Remember to check for malware, as it could also cause this issue.
If you’re still having trouble with the COM Surrogate error, don’t worry. There are many solutions you can try, like resetting your Internet Explorer settings or registering important DLL files. Following these steps will help you get rid of the error and ensure your computer runs smoothly. Keep your software updated, and you’ll avoid most of these issues in the future.
FAQs
Q: What is a COM Surrogate?
A: A COM Surrogate is a process that helps your computer open and manage certain files, like videos or images, by hosting other programs.
Q: Why does COM Surrogate cause errors?
A: COM Surrogate errors usually happen because of outdated drivers, corrupted files, or software that isn’t working right. It can also happen if there is malware on your system.
Q: How do I fix the COM Surrogate error?
A: To fix the COM Surrogate error, you can update your drivers, roll back display drivers, or reinstall codecs. You might also need to reset settings or check for malware.
Q: Can a virus make the COM Surrogate stop working?
A: Yes, sometimes malware can disguise itself as COM Surrogate, causing errors. Running an antivirus scan can help fix the problem.
Q: Is it safe to disable COM Surrogate?
A: It’s not recommended to disable COM Surrogate as it’s an important part of your computer’s system. Instead, try fixing the issue by following the solutions mentioned.
