Additional causes include conflicts from running multiple scripts simultaneously, memory limitations, or corrupted PowerShell components. In many cases, this error occurs simultaneously with high CPU usage or insufficient system resources that fail to support the load required by PowerShell operations. It’s also important to note that this error can be caused by external factors like malware or system corruption.
1. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:
Note: We are aware that you can’t run these commands on PowerShell, but we can run these commands on Command Prompt. However, if your Command Prompt ceases to work, it may be a serious issue caused by malware or a virus. Both SFC and DISM are official utilities provided by Microsoft, used to repair broken Windows components. They also repair corrupted DLL files, which is one of the common issues that prevent applications from opening and working as intended. You can learn more about both utilities in our separate detailed guides: DISM & SFC SCAN. Both utilities can be run directly by just executing certain command lines in Command Prompt.
2. Disable and Re-enable PowerShell:
When facing issues with PowerShell not functioning correctly, one possible explanation could be that the feature has been accidentally disabled or turned off within the Windows operating system. Re-enabling PowerShell through the Windows Features settings can restore its functionality, effectively resolving errors caused by its absence. Essentially, this step ensures that the PowerShell component is active and available for use, which is crucial for running scripts and various administrative tasks on your computer.
3. Perform a Clean Boot:
Malicious programs and viruses tend to block PowerShell from running so it can’t be used to run remedy commands. In that case, we can use the help of the ‘clean boot’ option in Windows. This option basically only allows officially Microsoft-signed services and drivers to run on startup. This way no third-party program (including the malicious ones) can be executed, and this may resolve the PowerShell issue in question.
4. Use the ESET Poweliks Cleaner
The ESET Poweliks Cleaner is specifically mentioned as a solution because the Poweliks trojan is a known cause of this error. The Poweliks virus is a type of malware that can severely affect system stability and performance, including causing applications like PowerShell to stop working.
