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5 Definitive Fixes For The Node20.exe Error On Shutdown: The Elgato Stream Deck Connection

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The `node20.exe` application error popping up just as your Windows PC is shutting down is a frustrating and common issue, especially as of late 2025. This persistent error message, which often appears with the title "node20.exe - Application Error," indicates that a program is failing to terminate correctly, delaying your system shutdown and causing a minor panic over system stability. The good news is that extensive community reports and troubleshooting have definitively linked this problem to a specific piece of popular hardware and its associated software, making the fix surprisingly straightforward and highly effective. The root cause of the `node20.exe` error is almost always tied to the Elgato Stream Deck ecosystem and its various plugins. Specifically, the `node20.exe` file is a legitimate component of the Node.js JavaScript Runtime, which is heavily utilized by many third-party Stream Deck plugins, such as the "Audio Volume Controller." When Windows initiates the shutdown sequence, the process running these plugins—which is `node20.exe`—fails to close gracefully, resulting in the application error dialog box that halts the shutdown process. This guide provides the most current, proven, and step-by-step solutions to eliminate this shutdown nuisance for good.

What Exactly is Node20.exe and Why Does It Cause Shutdown Errors?

To understand the fix, you must first understand the process. The `node20.exe` file is not a virus or malware in itself, but a legitimate executable that acts as the Node.js JavaScript Runtime. Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that executes JavaScript code outside a web browser, and it is a popular backend for many modern applications and utilities.

The Elgato Stream Deck and Node.js Connection

In the context of the shutdown error, `node20.exe` is most often a child process of the Elgato Stream Deck software, or more accurately, one of the plugins installed for it. The Stream Deck allows users to install various third-party plugins to control different aspects of their computer, from OBS to Spotify to volume mixers. * Plugin Dependence: Many of these powerful plugins rely on the Node.js runtime to function, which is why the `node20.exe` process is running in the background. * Termination Failure: When you shut down your PC, Windows sends a termination signal to all running processes. The specific bug causing the error is a failure in the plugin's code or the Stream Deck software itself to properly handle this termination signal, leaving the `node20.exe` process orphaned and throwing an application error. * Common Culprit: The "Audio Volume Controller" plugin is repeatedly cited by users across various forums as the primary source of the `node20.exe` shutdown error.

5 Definitive Steps to Fix the Node20.exe Application Error

The solutions below are ranked by effectiveness and ease of implementation, starting with the most likely fix.

1. Remove the Problematic Audio Volume Controller Plugin

This is the most direct and successful fix reported by the community. Since the "Audio Volume Controller" plugin is the primary culprit, removing it usually resolves the error immediately. * Step 1: Open Stream Deck Software. Launch the Elgato Stream Deck application on your computer. * Step 2: Access the Store/Plugins. Click on the Stream Deck Store icon (usually a shopping bag or similar icon). * Step 3: Uninstall the Plugin. Navigate to your installed plugins or search for the "Audio Volume Controller" plugin by Elgato. Click the uninstall or remove button. * Step 4: Restart and Test. Restart your computer and attempt a shutdown to confirm the error is gone. If you need volume control functionality, look for an alternative plugin or wait for an official update from Elgato.

2. Update or Reinstall Elgato Stream Deck Software

If removing the specific plugin is not an option or doesn't work, ensure your core Stream Deck software is the latest version. Software developers frequently release patches that address process termination bugs. * Check for Updates: In the Stream Deck application, check the settings for an "Update" option. Install any available updates. * Clean Reinstallation: If an update isn't available or fails, perform a clean reinstallation. * Uninstall: Go to Windows Settings > Apps and uninstall the Elgato Stream Deck application. * Download Latest: Download the absolute latest version of the software from the official Elgato website. * Reinstall: Install the new version and test the shutdown process.

3. Manually Terminate the Node20.exe Process Before Shutdown

This is a temporary workaround to ensure a clean shutdown until a permanent fix is found, but it confirms the process is the issue. * Step 1: Open Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. * Step 2: Locate the Process. Look for Node.js: JavaScript Runtime or node20.exe under the "Processes" tab. * Step 3: End Task. Select the process and click End Task. * Step 4: Shut Down. Proceed with your normal Windows shutdown. If the error is gone, this confirms the process was the culprit.

4. Run a System File Checker (SFC) Scan

In some less common cases, the `node20.exe` application error can be a symptom of underlying corrupted Windows system files that are preventing proper process termination. Running the System File Checker (SFC) utility can scan and repair these files. * Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Search for "cmd" in the Windows search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator." * Step 2: Run the SFC Scan. Type the following command and press Enter: `sfc /scannow` * Step 3: Wait for Completion. The scan will take some time. Once complete, it will report if it found and fixed any corrupted files. * Step 4: Restart. Restart your computer and test the shutdown.

5. Isolate the Problematic Plugin by Disabling Startup Items

If the error persists and you have many Stream Deck plugins, you can use the process of elimination to find the specific one causing the conflict. * Step 1: Disable All Plugins. Go into the Stream Deck software and temporarily disable or uninstall all third-party plugins. * Step 2: Test Shutdown. Attempt a shutdown. If the error is gone, one of the plugins was the cause. * Step 3: Re-Enable One-by-One. Re-enable or reinstall your plugins one at a time, testing a shutdown after each one. The plugin you install right before the error reappears is your culprit.

Topical Authority Entities and Related Issues

The `node20.exe` issue extends beyond just shutdown errors and is an important process to monitor for overall system health. Understanding these related entities enhances your ability to troubleshoot: * Node.js JavaScript Runtime: The core technology behind the process. A legitimate and widely used technology. * Windows 10 / Windows 11: The operating systems where this error is most commonly reported. The issue is persistent across both. * High CPU Usage: A related problem where the `node20.exe` process can sometimes get stuck in a loop, consuming excessive CPU resources even when the Stream Deck is idle. This often indicates the same underlying bug as the shutdown error. * Application Error Code (e.g., 0xc0000142): Users sometimes see a specific error code like `0xc0000142` alongside the `node20.exe` message. While the code is generic, the context remains the same: a process failing to initialize or terminate correctly. * Process Termination: The technical term for how an application is instructed to close down. The failure in this step is the direct cause of the on-screen error. By focusing on the interaction between the Elgato Stream Deck and its Node.js-based plugins, you can quickly and permanently resolve the annoying `node20.exe` application error on shutdown. The most effective solution remains the removal of the Audio Volume Controller plugin, proving that sometimes, less is more when it comes to third-party utilities.
5 Definitive Fixes for the Node20.exe Error on Shutdown: The Elgato Stream Deck Connection
node20.exe error on shutdown
node20.exe error on shutdown

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