Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe
Warning
Typically only active during crash collection
If it runs constantly with high CPU, investigate server logs and verify signatures
Can I Disable?
YES
Close Jellyfin server or stop the Jellyfin service to stop crash reporting
What is jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe?
jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe is a small utility that runs with Jellyfin Server to capture crash dumps and generate crash reports. It collects metadata, and, if allowed by settings, transmits reports to Jellyfin telemetry servers to aid developers in diagnosing stability issues across deployments. It does not handle user media.
It runs as a separate process alongside Jellyfin, parses crash dumps, formats reports, and sends them to the server when telemetry is enabled. The component runs briefly during crashes and at startup, and is sandboxed to avoid affecting normal media streaming.
Quick Fact: Jellyfin's crash reporter helps triage issues across server deployments and is designed to minimize user-visible impact.
Types of Jellyfin Processes
- Crash Reporter Process: Captures crash dumps and coordinates report submission to Jellyfin servers
- Telemetry Transport: Manages network transmission and retries for crash reports
- Logging Helper: Writes crash-related logs in Jellyfin's data directory
- Background Worker: Performs periodic maintenance of crash data and cleanup
- Startup Loader: Initializes crash reporting during server startup
- System Tray Helper: Optional Windows UI helper for status and quick actions
Is jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe Safe?
Yes, jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Jellyfin distributed with the official server or client, downloaded from the official Jellyfin release channel.
Is jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is NOT a virus. However, malware can disguise itself with similar names. Always verify the path and signature.
How to Tell if jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe. Any jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the executable in File Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Jellyfin Project".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low; extremely high usage when idle is suspicious and warrants malware scan.
- Behavior: Should run only when Jellyfin server is active or a crash occurs. Continuous background activity without a server context is suspicious.
Red Flags: If jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe is located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when Jellyfin isn't open, has no digital signature, or uses unexpected network endpoints, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Beware of similarly-named files like "jellyfin-crash-reporter.dll".
Why Is jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe Running on My PC?
Jellyfin's crash reporter runs to capture crash data when server components fail, and may start at server boot to be ready for new crashes. It should not noticeably impact performance unless a crash occurs.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Jellyfin Server With Crash Reporting: You're running Jellyfin Server and crash reporting is enabled; the reporter monitors crash events and prepares reports.
- New Crash Dump Detected: A crash dump has been generated by Jellyfin processes and the reporter collects it for submission.
- Background Telemetry: Telemetry collection is configured to operate in the background, submitting reports when possible.
- Startup Initialization: Jellyfin spawns the crash reporter during server startup to ensure crash data can be captured immediately.
- Maintenance or Diagnostic Tasks: Scheduled checks or diagnostics trigger the reporter to prepare or verify crash data.
Can I Disable or Remove jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe?
Yes, you can disable jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe. It's safe to stop the reporter when not needed, and you can uninstall Jellyfin server if you want to remove all components.
How to Stop jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe
- Stop Jellyfin Server Service: Open Services.msc, locate 'Jellyfin Server' and click Stop to halt crash reporting.
- End Crash Reporter If Running: Open Task Manager, find jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe, and End Task.
- Disable Auto Start: In Services.msc, set 'Jellyfin Server' Startup Type to Manual or Disabled to prevent startup.
- Check Jellyfin Settings: If the installation exposes a UI option to disable crash telemetry, turn it off.
- Uninstall or Remove Startup Scripts: If you have custom startup scripts launching the reporter, remove or disable them.
How to Uninstall Jellyfin Server (and Crash Reporter)
- ✔ Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Jellyfin Server > Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Jellyfin Server > Uninstall
- ✔ If you only want to remove the crash reporter, delete the jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe binary from the Jellyfin Server folder and remove any related startup entries
Common Problems: Crash Reporter-Related Issues
If jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe misbehaves or reports errors, use these checks and fixes to restore normal operation.
Common Causes & Solutions
- No crashes detected or reported: Ensure Jellyfin server is actively crashing or that crash reporting is enabled in the server settings; check logs for crash generation events.
- Crash reporter consumes high CPU: Update Jellyfin to the latest release, verify only one reporter instance runs, and review crash dumps for noisy modules.
- Crash reports not uploading: Check network connectivity, firewall rules, and endpoint URL; verify TLS/certificates and retry logic in the reporter.
- Reporter missing after update: Reinstall Jellyfin Server or restore jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe from official release; ensure the installation path matches expected directories.
- Corrupted crash logs: Clear the crash log directory within Jellyfin data, restart the server, and allow fresh crash data collection.
- Reporter causes startup delays: Disable startup entry for the reporter or run Jellyfin without the crash reporter in server mode; verify there are no conflicting services.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and identify jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe for any abnormal activity
2. Restart Jellyfin Server to reinitialize the crash-reporting subsystem
3. Update Jellyfin to the latest version from the official release channel
4. Check firewall settings to ensure crash reports can reach the Jellyfin telemetry endpoint
5. If necessary, disable crash reporting in server settings and restart
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe from Jellyfin is not a virus. Verify the path is C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe and that the digital signature shows Jellyfin Project.
Why is jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe running?
It runs to collect crash data when Jellyfin components fail and to submit reports for diagnostics. It may start at server boot to be ready for crashes.
Can I delete jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe?
You can remove Jellyfin Server to remove all components, including the crash reporter. If you only want to stop reporting, shut down the server or disable crash telemetry in settings.
Can I disable jellyfin-crash-reporter.exe?
Yes. Stop the Jellyfin server, end the crash reporter task if running, and disable startup for the server to prevent automatic launch on boot.
Where are crash reports stored locally?
Crash reports are stored in Jellyfin's data directory, typically under the server's CrashReports or Logs folder (for example, C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\CrashReports or C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Jellyfin\CrashReports).
How do I view crash reports?
Crash reports are usually stored as dumps and structured reports within Jellyfin's data directories. You can also view recent crash events in Jellyfin's logs or event viewer depending on your setup.