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Windows Error 0xC000021A — STATUS SYSTEM PROCESS TERMINATED

Criticalsystem

Overview

Windows error 0xC000021A means a critical system process (csrss.exe or winlogon.exe) terminated unexpectedly, forcing a system halt.

Key Details

  • STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED — fatal system error
  • csrss.exe or winlogon.exe has crashed
  • System cannot continue without these processes
  • May require Recovery Environment to fix

Common Causes

  • Corrupted system files (csrss.exe or winlogon.exe)
  • Incompatible third-party software
  • Failed Windows Update corrupting system files
  • Malware replacing or damaging critical processes

Steps

  1. 1Boot into Recovery Environment
  2. 2Run sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
  3. 3Run DISM with offline Windows image
  4. 4Use System Restore to revert to a working state

Tags

windowssystemstatus-system-process-terminatedwindows-errorfix

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Frequently Asked Questions

Critical Windows processes — csrss handles console and thread management, winlogon manages login.