What is DAX3API.exe?

DAX3API.exe is part of DAXAPI and developed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc. according to the DAX3API.exe version information.

DAX3API.exe's description is "DAX API"

DAX3API.exe is digitally signed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc..

DAX3API.exe is usually located in the 'C:\Windows\System32\dolbyaposvc\' folder.

None of the anti-virus scanners at VirusTotal reports anything malicious about DAX3API.exe.

If you have additional information about the file, please share it with the FreeFixer users by posting a comment at the bottom of this page.

Vendor and version information [?]

The following is the available information on DAX3API.exe:

PropertyValue
Product nameDAXAPI
Company nameDolby Laboratories, Inc.
File descriptionDAX API
Internal nameDAXAPI
Original filenameDAXAPI.exe
CommentsDolby DAX API
Legal copyright© 2019 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.
Product version3.20202.269.0
File version3.20202.269.0

Here's a screenshot of the file properties when displayed by Windows Explorer:

Product nameDAXAPI
Company nameDolby Laboratories, Inc.
File descriptionDAX API
Internal nameDAXAPI
Original filenameDAXAPI.exe
CommentsDolby DAX API
Legal copyright© 2019 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All..
Product version3.20202.269.0
File version3.20202.269.0

Digital signatures [?]

DAX3API.exe has a valid digital signature.

PropertyValue
Signer nameDolby Laboratories, Inc.
Certificate issuer nameDigiCert SHA2 Assured ID Code Signing CA
Certificate serial number019bb53dd06f10b3dba82e8d3faf6588

VirusTotal report

None of the 65 anti-virus programs at VirusTotal detected the DAX3API.exe file.

None of the 65 anti-virus programs detected the DAX3API.exe file.

Sandbox Report

The following information was gathered by executing the file inside Cuckoo Sandbox.

Summary

Successfully executed process in sandbox.

Generic

[
    {
        "process_path": "C:\\Windows\\System32\\lsass.exe",
        "process_name": "lsass.exe",
        "pid": 476,
        "summary": {},
        "first_seen": 1598835190.34375,
        "ppid": 376
    }
]

Signatures

[
    {
        "markcount": 1,
        "families": [],
        "description": "This executable has a PDB path",
        "severity": 1,
        "marks": [
            {
                "category": "pdb_path",
                "ioc": "c:\\DAX322\\API\\output\\Release\\x64\\DAX3API.pdb",
                "type": "ioc",
                "description": null
            }
        ],
        "references": [],
        "name": "has_pdb"
    },
    {
        "markcount": 2,
        "families": [],
        "description": "The file contains an unknown PE resource name possibly indicative of a packer",
        "severity": 1,
        "marks": [
            {
                "category": "resource name",
                "ioc": "REGISTRY",
                "type": "ioc",
                "description": null
            },
            {
                "category": "resource name",
                "ioc": "TYPELIB",
                "type": "ioc",
                "description": null
            }
        ],
        "references": [],
        "name": "pe_unknown_resource_name"
    }
]

Yara

The Yara rules did not detect anything in the file.

Network

{
    "tls": [],
    "udp": [
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "192.168.56.255",
            "offset": 546,
            "time": 3.0782577991485596,
            "dport": 137,
            "sport": 137
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "224.0.0.252",
            "offset": 5074,
            "time": 3.039825916290283,
            "dport": 5355,
            "sport": 51001
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "224.0.0.252",
            "offset": 5402,
            "time": 1.0171968936920166,
            "dport": 5355,
            "sport": 53595
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "224.0.0.252",
            "offset": 5730,
            "time": 3.0521349906921387,
            "dport": 5355,
            "sport": 53848
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "224.0.0.252",
            "offset": 6058,
            "time": 1.5188038349151611,
            "dport": 5355,
            "sport": 54255
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "224.0.0.252",
            "offset": 6386,
            "time": -0.08850908279418945,
            "dport": 5355,
            "sport": 55314
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "239.255.255.250",
            "offset": 6714,
            "time": 1.5318608283996582,
            "dport": 1900,
            "sport": 1900
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "239.255.255.250",
            "offset": 15396,
            "time": 1.037431001663208,
            "dport": 3702,
            "sport": 49152
        },
        {
            "src": "192.168.56.101",
            "dst": "239.255.255.250",
            "offset": 19588,
            "time": 3.0938007831573486,
            "dport": 1900,
            "sport": 53598
        }
    ],
    "dns_servers": [],
    "http": [],
    "icmp": [],
    "smtp": [],
    "tcp": [],
    "smtp_ex": [],
    "mitm": [],
    "hosts": [],
    "pcap_sha256": "262ac5f3e54075348c08cdb45a9dd59978aef64faba099ddbf8befde9e8cf499",
    "dns": [],
    "http_ex": [],
    "domains": [],
    "dead_hosts": [],
    "sorted_pcap_sha256": "7348668896534d6888e9b3eddea01d9e807ca49019cb90ecb4d8b1a25734a41b",
    "irc": [],
    "https_ex": []
}

Screenshots

Screenshot from the sandboxScreenshot from the sandbox

Hashes [?]

PropertyValue
MD5d1fde804c6572a4abb5b2f2d61c7fd1a
SHA2569314e4bf88ae44f1a01b8bf05d00614b103e62061c4ce511a7dc39ba8a9cc1b2

Error Messages

These are some of the error messages that can appear related to dax3api.exe:

dax3api.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

dax3api.exe - Application Error. The instruction at "0xXXXXXXXX" referenced memory at "0xXXXXXXXX". The memory could not be "read/written". Click on OK to terminate the program.

DAX API has stopped working.

End Program - dax3api.exe. This program is not responding.

dax3api.exe is not a valid Win32 application.

dax3api.exe - Application Error. The application failed to initialize properly (0xXXXXXXXX). Click OK to terminate the application.

What will you do with DAX3API.exe?

To help other users, please let us know what you will do with DAX3API.exe:



What did other users do?

The poll result listed below shows what users chose to do with DAX3API.exe. 75% have voted for removal. Based on votes from 81 users.

User vote results: There were 61 votes to remove and 20 votes to keep

NOTE: Please do not use this poll as the only source of input to determine what you will do with DAX3API.exe.

Malware or legitimate?

If you feel that you need more information to determine if your should keep this file or remove it, please read this guide.

Please select the option that best describe your thoughts on the information provided on this web page


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And now some shameless self promotion ;)

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Comments

Please share with the other users what you think about this file. What does this file do? Is it legitimate or something that your computer is better without? Do you know how it was installed on your system? Did you install it yourself or did it come bundled with some other software? Is it running smoothly or do you get some error message? Any information that will help to document this file is welcome. Thank you for your contributions.

I'm reading all new comments so don't hesitate to post a question about the file. If I don't have the answer perhaps another user can help you.

aztriz writes

6 thumbs

I notice a window appear for a split second looking like a command prompt window every few hours coming from C:\Windows\System32\dolbyaposvc\DAX3API.exe that has about 3 lines of text. Do you know if this is supposed to happen, why it happens or if it is a malware or something. Please help. I am using Windows 10 by the way.

# 14 Jun 2020, 22:32

Roger Karlsson writes

2 thumbs

@aztriz: If your copy of DAX3API.exe is digitally signed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc, it should be safe and free from malware.

I don't know why DAX3API.exe pops up in a command prompt. I've searched around on some forums without finding anything about this issue.

Please let us know if you find out more about it or find a solution.

# 16 Jun 2020, 23:14

Artur writes

2 thumbs

I have the same problem as aztriz, the prompt shows up and it says something like:

'install' to install the service
'remove' to remove the service.

now that I see more people are getting it, maybe it's just a problem with the latest update.

# 17 Jun 2020, 12:12

aztriz writes

5 thumbs

Thanks I feel much safer knowing other people are having the same problem, and I'm pretty sure it is signed by Dolby.
The lines of text say:
(some random word i cant make out)
-install to install the service
-remove to (not sure what is says here either but its probably what Arthur said)
-capturestream (another word)=x, action=x to detect capture stream

# 21 Jun 2020, 16:51

aztriz writes

2 thumbs

other information i found was that it is safe according to antiviruses/antimalwares, and if i run it, it will not show the lines of code, but will appear for even less time with no text. It is also signed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatability Publisher. Seems pretty legit, but still nothing i found to fix the command prompt, which will make games that cant have any other windows on top of them minimize to show the command prompt, which is mildly annoying but i can live with it.

# 21 Jun 2020, 17:06

martin writes

0 thumbs


I have the same problem, any solution? Is it safe to delete your folder?

# 23 Jun 2020, 2:02

President Obama writes

0 thumbs

if u try to move the folder or delete the folder windows "if the application is windows certified" give u a warning that it is windows signed application. I do not sure what happens if u continue to delete it or send it quarantine but i am guessing that if it is the safe one it can cause system instability or could brick the computer but yet again i do not know what happens because i have not tested and i am not going to plan it

# 27 Jun 2020, 4:27

Roger Karlsson writes

0 thumbs

DAX3API.exe is part of Dolby Atmos. From what I've read Dolby Atmos is a type of surround sound, where the sounds are mapped to locations in 3D space. These sounds are then sent to the speaker system.

Back in 2018 the Windows 10’s Creators Update added a feature called “Dolby Atmos for headphones”.

Why the command prompt pops up with DAX3API.exe I don't know.

@Artur, @aztriz, @Martin, @Obama: Any idea what caused this command prompt to start popping up? Did you recently install some game or other software? Or did you recently install some Windows Update?

# 28 Jun 2020, 0:45

JABEDA writes

-3 thumbs

Delete this folder if in System32. It is malware. Not quite sure what it does. Anitvirus and Malware scan will detect no issues. Stop the service and the process then you can delete the folder. Make sure to empty the recycle bin as well. Then restart computer.

# 22 Jul 2020, 21:38

Artur writes

0 thumbs

@JABEDA, how do you know?

# 1 Aug 2020, 12:58

Roger Karlsson writes

0 thumbs

@JABEDA: DAX3API.exe is digitally signed by Dolby. None of 68 scanners over at VirusTotal detects anything malicious about DAX3API.exe.

I don't this DAX3API.exe is malware.

# 4 Aug 2020, 23:17

Lenovo writes

0 thumbs

I still don't know what to do.
We are have the same issue.

It's start in June after updating process mostly in Lenovo users.

I record my screen in startup with slowmotion.
The Command prompt popups exactly 5 mins in Startup.

And this is what it says
'install' to install the service
'remove' to remove the service.
-capturestream (another word)=x, action=x to detect capture stream

Maybe this "capturestream" is my screen recorder.
But I don't know what is the meaning of the first two lines.
And why is it popupping?

I think this DAX3API, is a part of an Audio Dolby, maybe if I remove this from System32 it will take some problem to my audio mostly in speakers and headphones.

# 22 Sep 2020, 9:24

prince writes

2 thumbs

Hey, did anyone figure out the solution yet? I tried disabling it in Services yet I still see a popup sometimes, with my Process Monitor saying it's from DAX3API still. I'm honestly tempted to remove it. Perhaps the prompt is triggered by something in Services or Task Scheduler? I honestly am not sure.

# 16 Oct 2020, 8:24

sekib writes

0 thumbs

I have the same problem and managed to get a screenshot (quick draw on the old PrtSc button). I am on a lenovo. It started in 2020. If it is Dolby Atmos then I definitely don't need that, lol, as i am hearing impaired. Is there a why to simplify the sound on windows. Even mono sound is good enough for me. I don't need stereo. Failing that, do you think a windows reinstall would fix it?

# 29 Oct 2021, 15:58

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