ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED 156 (0x9C) [Solved]

The ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED Windows system error is encountered when a program/process refuses to respond to a signal sent by the operating system. The error message reads, 156 (0x9C) The recipient process has refused the signal!

The underlying causes behind Error Signal Refused include processes that are not responding, corrupted system files, misconfigured Registry, or recent changes to the PC. Before you proceed, restart the PC and install all pending Windows updates.

How can I fix ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED?

1. Terminate the affected process

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Select the affected process or any that’s not responding, and click on End task.
3. Once done, relaunch the process/program and verify whether ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED 156 (0x9C) is fixed.

2. Repair the corrupted system files

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Command Prompt in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following DISM commands individually and hit Enter after each: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Next, run this command for the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
5. Once done, reboot the PC and check for improvements.

If the corrupted system files are triggering ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED The recipient process has refused the signal system error, running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) will get things running in no time!

3. Reinstall the affected program

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Select the program throwing error 156 (0x9C) from the list, and click on Uninstall.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and then restart the PC.
4. Now, reinstall the program from the official website or Microsoft Store.

If there’s a problem with the program’s current installation, you might receive ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED, and a reinstallation should fix things. In case a quick removal doesn’t work, use a top-rated software uninstaller to delete any leftover files and Registry entries.

4. Delete conflicting entries from the Registry

Editor’s tip

Before you proceed, I recommend creating a restore point, which will allow you to revert the changes in case things don’t work out or you inadvertently delete other keys.

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following path in the address bar at the top and hit Enter: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
4. Now, under the Image File Execution Options key, look for any entry for the affected program, right-click on it, and select Delete.
5. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.
6. Now, reboot the computer and verify whether ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED disappears.

5. Perform a system restore

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Create a restore point, and click on the relevant result.
2. Click the System Restore button.
3. Select the Choose a different restore point option, and click on Next.
4. Pick the oldest restore point from the list or one created before the issue first appeared, and click on Next.
5. Finally, verify the details, click on Finish, and confirm the change. The restore will take 15-30 minutes.

If a recent change to the system caused ERROR_SIGNAL_REFUSED in Windows, a system restore will allow you to revert that change and get things up and running. Just make sure to choose a restore point created before the first occurrence of the error.

Before you leave, discover expert tips to improve the performance of a Windows PC and prevent such errors from reappearing!

For any queries or to share more fixes with our readers, drop a comment below.