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How to Fix Try Catch PowerShell Not Working?

To fix this look for incorrect syntax

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

The Try-Catch statement inPowerShellhandles errors and exceptions in your code. If Try-Catch is not working as excepted on PowerShell, it can be frustrating.

In this guide, we will cover all the ways to fix the issue along with the probable causes of the problem. Let’s start!

What causes the Try-Catch not working issue in PowerShell?

There could be various reasons why the statement is not working on PowerShell. Here are some of the most common ones:

What can I do if the Try-Catch is not working on PowerShell?

1. Check Syntax

Try {# code to run here}Catch {# error handling code here}

2. Check if you are trapping a specific error

You need to verify if you are trapping specific errors you want to handle and not all the errors. Follow these steps to do the same:

3. Set ErrorAction value

The default value for ErrorAction is Continue; however, for Try-Catch to work, you need to set the ErrorAction value to Stop. To do this, follow these steps:

Try {Get-ChildItem -Path C:\DoesNotExist -ErrorAction Stop}Catch {Write-Output $_.Exception.Message}

4. Use the correct exception type

It is important to use correct exceptions when using Try-Catch, as it can only handle exceptions of the System.Exception type. If you have used non-System.Exception errors, then Try-Catch will not work.

As for non-System.Exception, you need to use the NET” framework’s error handling mechanism or catch the error.

5. Avoid script termination

If your script is terminated before reaching the Catch block, Try-Cach will not get a chance to handle the error. To avoid script termination, follow these steps:

Try {Get-ChildItem -Path C:\DoesNotExist}Catch {Write-Output $_.Exception.MessageContinue}

6. Use the Try-Catch-Finally

If the Try-Catch statement is still not working, you can use the Try-Catch-Finally construct instead. This ensures that your code runs to completion, even if an exception is raised.

Try {# Your code here}Catch [System.Exception] {# Exception handling code here}Finally {# Clean-up code here}

So, these are ways in which you can resolve the Try Catch not working issue on PowerShell. If you have any questions related to Try-Catch, please mention them in the comments section below. We will be happy to help!

If you want to know how to stop PowerShell from closing after running a script,you can read this.

How to Fix Try Catch PowerShell Not Working?#

What causes the Try-Catch not working issue in PowerShell?#

What can I do if the Try-Catch is not working on PowerShell?#

1. Check Syntax#

2. Check if you are trapping a specific error#

3. Set ErrorAction value#

4. Use the correct exception type#

5. Avoid script termination#

6. Use the Try-Catch-Finally#