Windows error messages can be quite frustrating for the average user, especially when you have no idea what they mean or why they occur! If you encounter a CTF Loader error, such as “CTF Loader has stopped working,” while using Windows 10, it can lead to significant issues. However, the good news is that there are multiple solutions to this problem, and we'll guide you through them in this article to help you fix the CTF Loader issue quickly. So, read on to the end to learn everything about CTF Loaders and how to resolve them.

CTF, short for Collaborative Translation Framework, is a crucial process that supports text input methods like speech recognition and handwriting input in Microsoft applications, particularly MS Office. For instance, the ctfmon.exe process typically runs in Task Manager, enabling Microsoft's built-in voice input or handwriting features.

Normally, the ctfmon.exe process doesn't use too many resources, but it can cause issues, especially when you get the “CTF Loader has stopped working” error. While most fixes for CTF Loader issues revolve around disabling the services using the ctfmon process, there are several other ways to fix this problem, which we'll explore further below.

What is a CTF Loader issue?

There are four main sources of CTF loader problems.

    • Malware or viruses hiding in the system, requiring an antivirus software (like TotalAV)
    • Errors found in input or language packs
    • Conflicts between Windows update files and the CTF Loader
    • Incorrect installation of Microsoft Office

How to Fix CTF Loader Issues on Windows 10

No doubt, the CTF Loader error is annoying, but the good thing is that in this section, we will learn seven of the most effective methods to fix this error.

Please follow each repair step exactly.

1. Check if your computer is infected with malware.

We recommend scanning your computer to ensure that CTF Loader is not affected by any viruses or malware. You can perform a quick check for malware on your system using the built-in Windows Defender utility, which is available for free on Windows systems. Follow these steps to scan your computer for malware:

Check if your computer is infected with malware

Step 1: Click the main Windows menu button, search for "Windows Security Center," and click to open it.

Step 2: On the Windows Security page, select Virus & threat protection from the left pane.

Step 3: Click the Quick Scan button. It will scan your computer for viruses and malware automatically.

Step 4: If any viruses or malware are detected, remove them as instructed. Then, restart your computer and check if the CTF Loader issue is resolved.

2. Disable the CTF Loader in Task Scheduler

You can quickly resolve CTF Loader issues by disabling the CTF Loader through the Task Scheduler. Follow the instructions outlined below correctly to do this.

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows menu and select "Run" from the list.

Step 2: Type "taskschd.msc" in the Run tool, and then click on "OK". This will open the Task Scheduler window.

Step 3: Now, navigate to the Library > Microsoft > Windows > TextServicesFramework in the left pane.

CTFMON Task Scheduler

Step 4: Right-click MsCtfMonitor in the middle pane, and select “Disable” from the context menu. This will stop the service. Check if the issue is resolved.

3. Disable the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service

Disabling the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service might resolve the CTF Loader issue on your computer. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Right-click the Windows menu and select "Run" from the list.

Step 2: Type services.msc in the Run utility, and then click OK.

Step 3: This will open the Services list. Scroll down until you find “Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service.” Right-click on it, then select “Properties” from the context menu.

Rouch Keyboard and Handwriting Service (Image: Rouch Keyboard and Handwriting Service)

Step 4: Make sure that the "Startup Type" in the new window is set to "Disabled." If not, open the drop-down menu and select it.

Step 5: Click "OK" to see if the issue has been resolved.

4. Delete the CTFMON.EXE file

You can also resolve issues with the CTF Loader by deleting the CTFMON.EXE file. Perform the following steps carefully:

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: Sort the running processes by name.

Step 3: Right-click on the CTF Loader entry in the list and select “Open file location.”

CTF Loader

Step 4: Switch back to the Task Manager and end the process.

Step 5: Delete the file through File Explorer.

5. Uninstall Microsoft Office

The CTF Loader error pertains to Microsoft Office applications. Hence, the most direct solution is to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office. Please follow these steps to uninstall Microsoft Office:

Step 1: Click the main Windows menu button and search for “Settings” in the search bar.

Step 2: Click on “Apps” in the left pane of the Settings window to open the “Apps” window.

Step 3: Click the "Apps & features" section on the right pane of the Settings window.

Step 4: It will display a list of all the applications installed on your computer.

Step 5: Under the search bar in the Apps list, type "Office." This will display the Office app. Now, tap on the three dots next to it and select Uninstall.

Uninstall Microsoft Office

Step 6: After you uninstall Office, reinstall it and check if the CTF Loader error is resolved.

6. Restoring the Windows System

You can quickly resolve issues with the CTF Loader by restoring your Windows system. Follow the instructions in the link to correctly restore your Windows system.  

Step 1: Click the Windows main menu and search for “Control Panel.”

Step 2: Type “Recovery” in the search box on the Control Panel, and then click on the “Recovery” option.

Step 3: This will open the “Advanced Recovery Tools” window. Select “Open System Restore” and then click “Next” in the “Restore system files and settings” dialog box.

System recovery

Step 4: Select the recommended restore point, or click the Check box to choose a different restore point.

Step 5: Click on “Scan for affected programs.” Choose to Close and then click Next. When the process is complete, click Finish. Restart your computer now and check if the CTF Loader problem has been fixed.

7. Update Windows to the latest version

A Windows update might fix the CTF Loader error. Thus, we recommend downloading the latest version of Windows and checking if that resolves the issue! Follow the steps below to get the newest Windows update.

Step 1: Click the main Windows menu button and search for “Settings” in the search bar.

Step 2: Click on “Windows Update” in the left pane of the Settings window.

Step 3: Click Check for updates in the right pane, and wait for Windows to search for available updates.

Update Windows

If an update is available, it alerts you so you can download and install it.

Step 5: Click “Download and install” to download the latest version of Windows on your computer.

Conclusions

If you're still following this thread, you now have a better understanding of how to fix CTF Loader issues on Windows. We've provided seven best fixes to address the CTF Loader problem. While the Collaborative Translation Framework is an essential program and service for Windows, in some rare instances, it might encounter issues that require troubleshooting.