Is it a Virus?
ourth NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Signal\signal-crash-reporter.exe or within C:\Program Files\Signal\CrashReporter\signal-crash-reporter.exe
Warning
Some processes may run frequently during fault events
Crash reporter may show brief network activity while transmitting reports
Can I Disable?
ourth YES
Disable crash reporting in Signal settings or end the process when not needed
What is signal-crash-reporter.exe?
signal-crash-reporter.exe is the crash reporting component for Signal Desktop. It launches to collect diagnostic data when an application crash occurs, then forwards anonymized crash reports to Signal servers for analysis.
The crash reporter operates under the Signal Foundation's telemetry pipeline, capturing stack traces, module versions, and crash context while minimizing user impact and preserving privacy.
Quick Fact: Signal uses a lightweight crash reporter to avoid unnecessary resource usage during normal operation.
Types of Signal Crash Reporter Processes
- Main Crash Reporter: Coordinates crash data collection when Signal crashes
- Telemetry Submitter: Packages and sends crash data to Signal servers
- Diagnostics Collector: Gathers environment and application context for debugging
- Update Helper: Assists with crash report-related updates and validation
Is signal-crash-reporter.exe Safe?
Yes, signal-crash-reporter.exe is safe when it’s the legitimate Signal crash reporter component installed by Signal Desktop from the official Signal Foundation sources.
Is signal-crash-reporter.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real signal-crash-reporter.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade with similar names, so verify the file location and digital signature.
How to Tell if signal-crash-reporter.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Signal\signal-crash-reporter.exe or C:\Program Files\Signal\CrashReporter\signal-crash-reporter.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Signal Foundation" as the signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-5% CPU and 5-30 MB memory. Constant high usage is a red flag.
- Behavior: Crashes trigger the reporter. It should not run constantly in idle mode.
Red Flags: If signal-crash-reporter.exe is found outside the Signal folders, lacks a valid signature, or runs with persistent network activity outside a crash, scan with antivirus and verify with Signal support.
Why Is signal-crash-reporter.exe Running on My PC?
The crash reporter runs when Signal experiences a crash, or during diagnostic suites, and may launch briefly to collect context before exiting.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Crash Occurrence: A Signal crash occurred and the reporter is collecting data for diagnostics.
- Background Diagnostics: Telemetry pipelines may harvest crash context to improve stability across releases.
- Background Startup: If Signal is configured to report on startup, the reporter may initialize on launch.
- Update or Patch Application: During updates, crash reporters help verify integrity and capture issues encountered.
- System/Environment Context: The reporter may collect OS and runtime information to better reproduce issues.
Can I Disable or Remove signal-crash-reporter.exe?
Yes, you can disable signal-crash-reporter.exe. Disabling crash reporting reduces data collection but may hinder debugging.
How to Stop signal-crash-reporter.exe
- End the Reporter: Open Task Manager, find signal-crash-reporter.exe, and End Task.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Signal Crash Reporter
- Adjust Signal Settings: Open Signal settings > Privacy > Crash Reports, turn off sending crash data.
- Reinstall Optional: If you suspect tampering, reinstall Signal Desktop to restore default crash reporting settings.
- System-Wide Cleanup: If issues persist, remove Signal entirely and re-install from official sources.
How to Uninstall Signal/Desktop
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Signal → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Signal → Uninstall
- ✔ After uninstall, consider using an alternative messaging app if desired
Common Problems: Crash Reporter High CPU or Memory Usage
If signal-crash-reporter.exe is using excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Frequent crashes trigger repeated reports: Keep Signal updated and investigate crash details in crash reports to fix root causes.
- Stale or corrupted crash data: Clear crash report cache (Signal Settings > Privacy).
- Background diagnostics running too often: Disable automatic crash reporting in Signal settings if not needed.
- Multiple crash reporters: Ensure only one crash reporter is installed; remove duplicates.
- Outdated Signal version: Update to latest Signal Desktop version.
- Hardware acceleration or OS compatibility issues: Try disabling hardware acceleration in Signal settings or update OS.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and terminate signal-crash-reporter.exe
2. Restart Signal Desktop
3. Check for Signal updates and install
4. Disable automatic crash reporting in Signal settings
5. Reinstall Signal Desktop if needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is signal-crash-reporter.exe safe?
Yes, when it comes from the official Signal Foundation and appears in the Signal installation folder. Verify the path and digital signature.
Why is signal-crash-reporter.exe running on startup?
The crash reporter can run during startup if Signal is configured to collect diagnostics at launch or after an update.
Can I disable crash reporting without losing data?
Yes. You can disable crash reporting in Signal settings; your existing messages and data remain intact.
Where is signal-crash-reporter.exe located?
Typically in C:\Program Files\Signal\signal-crash-reporter.exe or under C:\Program Files\Signal\CrashReporter\signal-crash-reporter.exe
How do I verify signal-crash-reporter.exe signs?
Right-click the file -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Look for 'Signal Foundation' as the signer.
What should I do if I suspect tampering?
Run antivirus scans, compare with official installers, and reinstall Signal from the official site.