You’re not alone if you’ve noticed the Command Prompt flashing on and off randomly on your PC.
This seemingly mysterious behavior appearing as a minor glitch could indicate underlying issues that warrant your attention.
Whether it’s a software conflict, a scheduled task running in the background, or even a potential malware threat, several factors could be causing this issue.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to show you the methods to diagnose and resolve the problem, ensuring your PC runs smoothly and securely. Let’s get started!
Why Is Command Prompt Appearing and Disappearing On Your PC?
Here are some common reasons why the Command Prompt might appear and disappear on your PC:
Scheduled Tasks – Some tasks set to run automatically in the background might trigger the Command Prompt to open and close.
Startup Programs – Certain programs configured to start with Windows might cause the Command Prompt to flash.
Background Processes – Conflicting or suspicious background processes can also lead to this issue.
Malware or Viruses – Harmful software can cause the Command Prompt to appear and disappear as it executes malicious scripts.
System Settings – Improper system settings or corrupted system files might be the culprit.
What To Do When Command Prompt Appearing and Disappearing On Your PC?
Follow the methods given below when the Command Prompt keeps appearing and disappearing on your PC.
1. Run an Antivirus Scan
The first thing you need to do is run an antivirus scan to ensure that your PC is not infected by malware or viruses, which can run command lines behind your back for various malicious reasons.
Here are the steps to run Microsoft Defender Offline Scan:
- Type “Windows Security” in the search menu and select it. If you have issues starting Windows Security Center services follow this link to fix it.
- Click on Virus and Threat Protection.
- Select Scan Options.
- Scroll down and select Microsoft Defender Offline Scan.
- Click on Scan Now to start the scan.
Windows Defender will take complete control of your PC for the duration of the scan and restart your PC once done.
2. Check Scheduled Tasks
Background processes, including updates, are often scheduled through Task Scheduler. If these scheduled tasks require running scripts, CMD will appear, run the scripts, and close quickly.
Follow these steps to check Scheduled Tasks:
- Open Task Scheduler from the search menu.
- Look for the scheduled tasks, their last run time, and the next run time.
- Remember the time when CMD appears and disappears and match it with the Last Run time section in Task Scheduler to pinpoint the responsible task.
- Once pinpointed, right-click on the task and select Disable if you want to stop it or leave it as it is if it’s not a concern.
3. Check Disk for Errors
The next thing you should do is check the disk for errors. Disk checking helps identify and repair file system errors and corrupted files, improving your system’s stability and performance. It also prevents potential data loss and ensures that your computer runs smoothly.
Follow these steps to do so:
- Open File Explorer and go to your system drive usually C.
- Right-click on it and select Properties.
- Go to the Tools tab and click on the Check option under the Error Checking section.
- Once the scanning is done, the command will try to fix the errors.
4. Run SFC and DISM Commands
Next run SFC and DISM scans. Running SFC and DISM scans can be very helpful when dealing with issues related to the Command Prompt appearing and disappearing on Windows.
System File Checker tool helps to identify and repair corrupted or missing system files. When you run the scan, it scans all protected system files and replaces any corrupted files with a cached copy. This can resolve various issues, including those that might be causing the Command Prompt to behave erratically. To do so, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start menu, type CMD, right-click on the Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator. Click Yes in the UAC popup.
- Type this command and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
- Once the scan is done, close the Command Prompt and restart your PC.
If the SFC scan fails and you are still seeing the Command Prompt window, you can run the DISM command.
- To do that, open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
- Then type this command and hit Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Let the scan complete, restart your PC, and check if the issue is resolved.
5. Check Startup Items
The next thing you should do is check the Startup items. Checking the startup items can help you identify and remove unnecessary or potentially harmful programs that automatically launch when your computer starts.
Follow these steps to do so:
- Press the Windows + R keys, type shell:startup, and hit Enter.
- In the startup folder, check and delete any command prompt-related items.
6. Install the Latest Update
Keeping your Windows up to date is crucial as outdated software can sometimes cause the Command Prompt to appear and disappear unexpectedly.
To ensure your system is running the latest version, follow these steps:
- Type “Check for Updates” in the Windows search bar and select the top option.
- Click on “Check for Updates” and install any available updates.
- This can help resolve issues and enhance your system’s performance and security. If you get an update error then follow this guide to resolve it.
7. Create a New User Account
If the issue persists after following all the fixes, you can create a new user account.
Sometimes, user profiles can become corrupted, which might cause unexpected behavior like the command prompt appearing and disappearing. Creating a new user account helps check if the issue is isolated to your current profile.
Here are the steps to create a new user account:
- Click on the Start menu and open Settings. Go to the Account section, scroll down, and select Other Users.
- Click on Add Account. If you want to add an online account, enter your Microsoft email and authenticate it with your password.
- If you want to add an offline account, click on I don’t have this person’s sign-in information. Then click on Add a user without a Microsoft account. Enter the username, and password, re-enter the password, choose your security questions and answers, and click Next.
- Once you create a new user account, sign out and log in with the new account. The command prompt window-popping problem will most likely disappear in this new account.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, a step-by-step guide to resolve the Command Prompt issue on your PC.
If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment in the section below. We’re always eager to hear from you and help you out!
