Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

Introduction

Fixing Windows 10 can be a daunting task, especially when an error message appears that reads “An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token That Does Not Exist.” This error message can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from corrupt system files to outdated drivers. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix this issue. In this guide, we will discuss the various causes of this error message and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it. With the right approach, you can get your Windows 10 system back up and running in no time.

Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

1. Run the System File Checker (SFC) scan.

2. Run the DISM scan.

3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

4. Reset the Windows Update components.

5. Re-register the Windows Update components.

6. Perform a clean boot.

7. Perform a clean installation of Windows 10.

Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

When you update your Windows 10 system, often, the new update comes with bugs and errors; these bugs may cause various errors to your system. After updating the Windows, users found the Windows 10 an attempt was made to reference a token error on their system. Now let’s understand what does the token do not exist mean. Basically, the corrupted files on your computer cause this error. You can fix the attempt made to reference a token error by clearing your PC for corrupted files. Continue reading!

Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

How to Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token Error

If the accounts does not get configured properly then it may cause the said error. Since you know what does the token do not exist mean, there can be multiple reasons for the token error on your computer. The following are the possible reasons for Windows 10 an attempt was made to reference a token error on your computer.

  • Corrupt files on your system
  • Bugs caused by a new Windows 10 update
  • Malware attack in your PC

Method 1: Perform Clean Boot

Using a clean boot, you can start the computer and conduct diagnostic tests to figure out which stages in the regular boot process are incorrect. This method can detect the primary cause behind this Windows 10 issue. Read our guide on How to Perform Clean Boot in Windows 10 to do the same.

Perform Clean Boot

Once you have booted your system in safe mode, check if the issue persists. If so, uninstall any of the latest programs or applications you have added to your system.

Method 2: Update Windows

It is always a good idea to keep your system up to date, as Windows is infamously known for its bugs and crashes caused by the previous version. With new updates, they come up with new improvements and fixes. Since the above-said error is due to the new update, you might try installing the latest version in which the bug would be fixed. Read our guide on How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update and implement the same.

Update Windows

Note: Please remember that the new update will take some time to install, depending on your Internet speed and system requirements. Also, do not turn off the device while installing.

Also Read: Fix We Couldn’t Connect to the Update Service in Windows 10

Method 3: Repair Corrupt DLL Files

The possible reason for Windows 10 an attempt was made to reference a token error to occur can be because of the corrupt DLL files. You can fix these issues by running the command prompt. Using the command prompt, you can use the following steps to fix an attempt made to reference a token issue safely.

1. Press the Windows key, type cmd and click on Run as administrator.

Run command prompt as administrator. Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

2. Type the following command and hit the Enter key.

cd %WINDIR%\System32

type the following command and hit the Enter key

3. Then, type the given command and hit the Enter key to repair the series of corrupt DLL files.

for /f %s in ('dir /b *.dll') do regsvr32 /s %s

Type the following command and press the Enter key to repair the series of corrupt DLL files. Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

4. Close the Command Prompt window and reboot the PC.

Method 4: Repair System Files

An SFC scan is widely used for solving the issues related to Windows 10. The SFC utility is provided to resolve any system files issue that may be causing trouble to a user while working on their computer. Also, you can run the DISM scans to repair the corrupt system files. Follow our guide to repair system files on Windows 10.

Run SFC and DISM command lines to repair system files

Wait for the commands to be executed and check if the issue has been resolved.

Also Read: Fix System Error 5 Access Denied in Windows 10

Method 5: Run Malware Scan

A virus or malware infection might also cause this error, which is rare. A quick scan can detect and remove them from the affected system. Hence, you are advised to scan your system as instructed in our guide on How do I Run a Virus Scan on my Computer?

Run Malware scan. Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

Also, if you want to remove malware from your computer, check our guide, How to Remove Malware from your PC in Windows 10.

Method 6: Recover to Previous Windows Version

Often, when Windows is updated on your computer, there can be issues with the new updates. The new updates are not always efficient and may cause bugs and errors, resulting in poor performance of your system. If a Windows update is causing Windows 10 an attempt was made to reference a token issue on your system, you can resolve it by reversing the Windows 10 update on your PC. You can follow these simple steps to reverse your Windows 10 updates safely.

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

Click on Updates and Security. Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

3. Select Recovery menu in the left pane.

select Recovery. Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

4. Under Advanced startup, click on Restart now.

Under Advanced startup click on Restart Now

5. Wait for the Choose an Option screen and choose Troubleshoot.

Select Troubleshoot. Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

6. Select Advanced options, followed by Go Back to the Previous Build.

Go back to previous build

Also Read: Fix AdbwinApi.dll is Missing Error in Windows 10

Method 7: Reset PC

If the previous methods do not work and you continue to receive the same error on Windows 10, the only option left is to reset your Windows 10 PC.

Note: Resetting your PC will clear all the unnecessary data from your computer, including files that may be causing Windows 10 errors.

Follow our guide on How to Reset Windows 10 Without Losing Data and implement the same.

Resect PC on Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What does the token do not exist mean on Windows 10?

Ans. After updating their Windows 10 system, many users found that their system displayed an error that a token does not exist. Corrupt files on your computer can cause this error, and you may require to clean up your computer.

Q2. How to repair Windows 10 files?

Ans. You can opt for several methods to repair system files on your PC, including an SFC scan, DLL files repair, and even a third-party antivirus scan.

Q3. Can I roll back new Windows 10 updates?

Ans. Yes, If your computer is not working well after updating the Windows, you can roll back the Windows 10 update by going to the Advanced startup setting.

Recommended:

We hope this guide was helpful to fix Windows 10 an attempt was made to reference a token issue on your computer and you were able to know what does the token do not exist mean. Comment down and let us know which method worked for you. Also, if you have questions, queries, or suggestions, feel free to share them with us.

Fix Windows 10 An Attempt Was Made to Reference a Token

If you are getting the error message “An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist” on Windows 10, you are not alone. This error is quite common and can be caused by a variety of issues. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to fix this issue.

Step 1: Check for Corrupted System Files

The first step you should take is to check for corrupted system files. To do this, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command:

sfc /scannow

This command will scan your system for any corrupted files and replace them with the correct versions. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the error message is still present.

Step 2: Run the DISM Tool

If the error message is still present after running the SFC scan, you should try running the DISM tool. This tool can help repair any corrupted system files that the SFC scan may have missed. To run the DISM tool, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This command will take some time to complete, so be patient. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the error message is still present.

Step 3: Reset Windows 10

If the error message is still present after running the DISM tool, you should try resetting Windows 10. This will restore your system to its default settings and should fix any corrupted files that may be causing the error message. To reset Windows 10, open the Settings app and go to the “Update & Security” section. From there, click on the “Recovery” tab and then click on the “Reset this PC” button.

Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your system. Once the reset is complete, restart your computer and see if the error message is still present.

Conclusion

If you are getting the error message “An attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist” on Windows 10, you can try the steps outlined above to fix the issue. Check for corrupted system files, run the DISM tool, and reset Windows 10 if necessary. Hopefully, one of these steps will fix the issue and you can get back to using your computer without any problems.

Jaspreet Singh Ghuman

Jaspreet Singh Ghuman

Jassweb.com/

Passionate Professional Blogger, Freelancer, WordPress Enthusiast, Digital Marketer, Web Developer, Server Operator, Networking Expert. Empowering online presence with diverse skills.

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