diff --git a/lib/desktop/init.dart b/lib/desktop/init.dart
index 9a78868e9..7f29ab95a 100755
--- a/lib/desktop/init.dart
+++ b/lib/desktop/init.dart
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ import 'package:flutter_riverpod/flutter_riverpod.dart';
 import 'package:local_notifier/local_notifier.dart';
 import 'package:logging/logging.dart';
 import 'package:material_symbols_icons/symbols.dart';
+import 'package:path/path.dart' as path;
+import 'package:path_provider/path_provider.dart';
 import 'package:screen_retriever/screen_retriever.dart';
 import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
 import 'package:window_manager/window_manager.dart';
@@ -125,7 +127,26 @@ Future<Widget> initialize(List<String> argv) async {
   _initLogging(args);
 
   await windowManager.ensureInitialized();
-  final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+  SharedPreferences prefs;
+  try {
+    prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+  } catch (error) {
+    Directory appSupportDirectory = await getApplicationSupportDirectory();
+    String appDataPath =
+        path.join(appSupportDirectory.path, 'shared_preferences.json');
+    _log.warning(
+        'Failed to load the preferences file at $appDataPath. Attempting to repair it.');
+    await _repairPreferences(appDataPath);
+
+    try {
+      prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+    } catch (error) {
+      _log.warning(
+          'Failed to repair the preferences file. Deleting the file and proceeding with a fresh configuration.');
+      await File(appDataPath).delete();
+      prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+    }
+  }
   final windowManagerHelper = WindowManagerHelper.withPreferences(prefs);
   final isHidden = _getIsHidden(args, prefs);
 
@@ -413,3 +434,13 @@ class _HelperWaiterState extends ConsumerState<_HelperWaiter> {
     }
   }
 }
+
+Future<void> _repairPreferences(String appDataPath) async {
+  List<int> contents = await File(appDataPath).readAsBytes();
+  var contentsGrowable = List<int>.from(contents); // Make the list growable
+
+  // Remove any NUL characters
+  contentsGrowable.removeWhere((item) => item == 0);
+
+  await File(appDataPath).writeAsBytes(contentsGrowable);
+}