How to Fix ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED 676 (0x2A4)
Granting missing permissions is the quickest fix
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The ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED Windows system error, with code 676 (0x2A4), appears when the file or resource being operated upon is closed or no longer accessible due to the performed action(s). This usually happens due to missing permissions, malware infection, and the presence of conflicting applications.
The message for Error Code 676 reads, {Handles Closed} Handles to objects have been automatically closed as a result of the requested operation.
Before you proceed to the solutions, restart the computer, install pending Windows updates, and disable any active third-party security software.
How can I fix ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED in Windows?
1. Run the affected app with administrative privileges
- Right-click on the affected app’s launcher (.exe file), and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab, and tick the checkbox for Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
- Relaunch the application triggering ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED and check for improvements.
2. Grant full control to the file/folder
- Right-click on the affected file/folder and select Properties.
- Navigate to the Security tab, and click on Advanced.
- Click on Change.
- Enter the active user profile in the text field, click on Check Names, and then OK.
- Tick the checkboxes for Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
- Now, click on Edit in the Security tab.
- Click on Add.
- Again, enter the active profile name, click on Check Names, and then OK.
- Finally, select the newly added profile, and tick the checkbox for Full control.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes on all windows, then reboot the PC and check for improvements.
When facing ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED 676 (0x2A4) due to missing permissions, you should grant full folder control (ownership) to the user profile.
3. Scan the PC for malware
- Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Security, and click on the relevant result.
- Click on Virus & threat protection.
- Click on Scan options.
- Select the Full scan entry and click on Scan now.
- Wait for Windows Security to detect and remove any active threats. The scan takes 10-30 minutes to complete.
4. Uninstall conflicting applications
- Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
- Select any app that was installed or updated around the same the error first appeared, and click Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and then restart the computer.
In some cases, users reported that leftover files from apps continued to trigger ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED 676 (0x2A4) {Handles Closed} Handles to objects have been automatically closed as a result of the requested operation post-uninstallation. For such instances, you must use a top-rated software uninstaller to wipe all traces of the app!
5. Reinstall Windows
When nothing else works, the last option is to reinstall Windows. If you have critical files on the PC, I recommend moving them to an external storage drive to prevent data loss.
To reinstall Windows, connect a formatted USB drive to the PC > go to Microsoft’s official website > download the Media Creation Tool > use it to create a bootable USB > access the BIOS > change the boot order to the bootable USB > run the Windows setup > complete the installation.
Remember, since ERROR_HANDLES_CLOSED is almost always caused by software-based issues, reinstalling the OS will, in all likelihood, fix things!
Before you leave, discover expert tips to make Windows faster than ever and enjoy a streamlined experience! This isn’t the only handle error, and we wrote about ERROR_PREDEFINED_HANDLE in another guide, so you might want to check it out.
For any queries or to share more fixes with our readers, drop a comment below.
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