How to Fix a Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

Find out why you got a BSOD and how to stop it.

Windows BSOD

It makes you want to tear your hair out. You’re in the middle of working on a project, reaching a major milestone in a game or maybe just booting up your Windows 101 or Windows 10 PC and, just like that, the entire OS crashes and presents you with a Blue Screen of Death, usually for no immediately apparent reason. 

In Windows-speak, the term “Blue Screen of Death” is usually abbreviated as BSOD. It describes an error of some kind that hits the operating system hard enough that it’s forced to quit. Microsoft itself labels such errors with  “stopcodes.” Thus these errors may also be generically named “stop errors.”  Here’s an example that shows what a BSOD sometimes looks like:

Understanding the BSOD Screen

The screen starts with an old-fashioned unhappy face emoticon “ :( “ (a colon, followed by an open parenthesis). Next, you see a brief explanation that “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.” Windows writes one or more log files when a stop error occurs, so you see language about “collecting some error info” and a counter that keeps track while it’s writing that data (shows as “25% complete) above. 

Microsoft provides a scannable QR code in modern BSODs (lower left) that you can scan with a smartphone and look up that way. The message also provides a lookup URL for stopcodes , where you can enter a numeric stopcode (and where you’ll see most common stopcodes, including the one shown above). The most common stop codes include: 

  • CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
  • SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
  • VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED
  • PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
  • SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
  • DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION

You can also download the Microsoft Error Lookup Tool (current version: Err_6.4.5.exe) to look up numeric error codes at a command prompt or in PowerShell, if you prefer. 

BSODs Aren’t Always Blue in Windows

Before Windows 8 came along in October 2012, BSODs always appeared on dark blue screens. These were chock-full of text and instructions (see below). With Windows 8, Microsoft switched to a kinder, gentler format shown in the preceding screencap. 

The company also whittled down the information that appears on screen. In fact, the background color in Windows 11 or 10 is sometimes black, green or even red. Here’s an example of an old-fashioned, pre-Windows-8 BSOD to put this information into historical context: 

Making Sense of BSOD Data

Though nobody wants to see a BSOD on a Windows PC, they do occur from time to time. In the vast majority of cases, the PC will restart itself automatically after an error log, called a crash dump or  a dump file (extension .dmp) is created. By default, Windows 10 stores dump files in one of two locations. 

You can manage crash dumps through Advanced System Settings in Windows 11 or 10 (type “Advanced System Settings” into the search box, then click “Settings” in the Startup and Recovery pane). You can also choose to toggle “Automatic restart” to off here, if you would prefer that any future BSODs stay on the screen until you get a chance to see them and write down (or take pic of) any relevant data.

If you select “Small memory dump” as the option for saving crash dumps, such files show up as Minidump.dmp files. For all other selections, the crash dump is named Memory.dmp. Crash dumps get written to the %SystemRoot% folder, which usually expands to C:\Windows. By design, small memory dump files are limited to 256KB in size. Other memory dumps will vary in size up to the size of memory on the PC where the dump is collected. Thus, on a PC with 16GB of RAM, a Complete memory dump file will always be 16GB in size (and other dump files, except for the small memory dumps, can be as large as 16GB, but will often be smaller). 

Examining a crash dump file can be helpful when troubleshooting related causes. For more details, see our story on how to use a minidump file to fix your Windows BSOD . That said, many users simply search on the stopcode and/or the numeric error code when seeking remediation advice. (Note that Microsoft calls that numeric code a “bug check code” or “bug check string.”

What To Do When Troubleshooting a BSOD

The immediate tendency following a BSOD is to get right into fix-it mode, start looking things up, and attempting repairs. Not so fast! Microsoft explains the entire troubleshooting process in its “ Troubleshoot blue screen errors ” tutorial. While you can – and probably should – read the Microsoft advice in its entirety, here’s a summary of key recommendations: 

  • Shut down the Windows PC that experienced the BSOD
  • Disconnect all USB-attached devices except for mouse and keyboard (or wireless dongles).
  • Reboot your system into safe mode from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
  • If you recently installed new software, uninstall that software .
  • If you recently installed a new device driver (or your BSOD info points to a driver or device), uninstall or roll back that driver (if you don’t really need the device you can disable it temporarily instead)
  • Restart the PC , and see if the BSOD recurs. If not, you’ve probably isolated the cause and can start researching some kind of fix.

If the BSOD recurs despite the items taken out of the picture by removing, disabling or uninstalling them, whatever’s still left in the picture remains problematic. At this point you want to reboot into safe mode once again, and open an administrative command prompt or PowerShell session. From the command line, enter these commands, one at a time: 

  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • SFC /scannow

The first of these two commands finds and replaces any damaged operating system components in the side-by-side filestore (aka WinSxS). The second of these commands runs the System File Checker (SFC) and will repair any damaged files it finds. 

Note that if SFC finds and fixes anything, you should run the command until it comes back with a clean bill of health (in some cases, I’ve had to run it two or three times before it came back clean). Note further that running either or both of these commands can take some time to complete, especially if one or both find items in need of fixing. Here’s what you want to see after your final SFC run:

Try NirSoft’s BlueScreenView Tool

There’s a complete BSOD handling infrastructure available from Microsoft, built around a tool called the Windows Debugger (aka WinDBG). You can download it as part of Microsoft’s free Windows Developer Kit if you really want to dig into the gory details. There are a lot of details to learn about, and minutiae to address, if you want to put this tool to work on crash dumps. For non-IT professionals or non-developers, I recommend Nir Sofer’s excellent BlueScreenView utility instead. It’s set up to automatically load the symbol tables it needs to resolve error codes, and it knows where to find crash dumps in need of analysis. It also presents crash dump data in a highly-readable form.

As an illustration, I forced one of my test laptops (a Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga) to blue screen at an administrative command line. There, I entered the string taskkill /im svchost.exe /f. Warning: typing this string into an administrative command prompt or PowerShell session will crash the PC immediately. That’s because it kills a key program named svchost.exe (Service Host) that supports DLLs in the Windows runtime environment. Because most (if not all) Windows programs use one or more DLLs this basically makes Windows inoperable. Thus, it causes an immediate BSOD with the CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED stopcode (shown in the lead-in graphic for this very story).

When I fired up BlueScreenView on that PC, it found the Memory.dmp file that this BSOD created during its post-crash cleanup phase. Here’s what the application looks like:

The top pane of the window shows all the crash dumps it finds on the target PC. Because there’s only one in this case, I shrunk it down to show as many details from the bottom pane as possible. Even so, the data in the top pane is important, with information in certain columns of special interest. Column 1 shows the name of the dump file. Column 3 shows the stopcode, which it labels “Bug Check String.” Column 3 shows the associated hexadecimal error code, 0x000000ef, which it labels “Bug Check Code.”

For most genuine BSODs (remember, I forced this one to happen) the stopcode and the error code will often help affected users zero in on causes and potential cures for their woes. In my experience, at least 90% of BSODs become fixable simply based on this information. That’s because it will often be solved by disconnecting, disabling, or uninstalling related devices, drivers , applications, or updates – just as Microsoft recommends, and I summarized in the previous section.

What About that Other Problematic 10% of BSODs? 

Some BSODs won’t be amenable to quick and easy fixes. When they come up, as they sometimes will, it’s time to ask for help in getting things figured out. I can recommend two terrific sources of troubleshooting assistance available online, each with its own dedicated user forum specifically focused on solving BSOD issues. Likewise, each one stipulates certain requirements on users seeking BSOD help.

Source number one comes from TenForums.com (key disclosures: I am a VIP member of this community; I contribute input and suggestions to its members daily). The TenForums venue is in its BSOD Crashes and Debugging forum. Posting instructions are explicitly provided, along with a collection of BSOD tutorials, including those on WinDBG Basics ,and  how to Install and Configure WinDBG for BSOD Analysis , Run BSOD Error Troubleshooter in Windows 10 , and Enable or Disable BSOD Automatic Restart in Windows 10 .

Source number two comes from British PC security and troubleshooting site BleepingComputer.com. They operate a user forum named Windows Crashes and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Help and Support. There, you’ll find pinned threads for the following topics (all of which are worth reading through):

  • Sysnative Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Academy : A series of detailed questions readers should answer to ask the experts at Sysnative for help with BSOD issues. 
  • BSOD Posting instructions : what information users should gather (based on downloading and running a Sysnative app) to obtain necessary dump files and content.
  • BSODs but no Dump Files : instructions on how to configure a Windows PC to produce dump files whenever a BSOD occurs. Essential to know because diagnosis without dumps is nearly impossible.

Thus, you’ll have to read up a bit, download some tools, run some scripts and/or collect some logs that you’ll submit to make a semi-formal request for BSOD help. This will take one or more hours and force you to do some homework before such help becomes available. It may also involve numerous back-and-forth communications, where you’re asked to run additional diagnostic tools and collect additional logs and data to shed more light on your situation. Trust me: these guys know what they’re doing. I’ve seen only a handful of issues where users did everything asked of them where the BSOD experts couldn’t help them get things fixed.

Ultimately, where there’s enough will to get a Windows BSOD fixed, there’s a way to make that happen. Keep at it, and you’ll learn this for yourself.

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Ed Tittel

Ed Tittel is a long-time IT writer, researcher and consultant, and occasional contributor to Tom’s Hardware. A Windows Insider MVP since 2018, he likes to cover OS-related driver, troubleshooting, and security topics.

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  • Metal Messiah. Nice informative article ! Reply
  • ginthegit I keep getting a BSOD saying the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL None of the material I searched could explain its frequenct occurance. It never happened in Win8, so I gathered it was a Kernel based problem with allocating the IRQ to system. It was more of a trial and error thing, but figured out it was a Switchable Graphics problem. I though it was the Discrete problem, but turns out it was the Intel one. So once setting the Graphics to AMD for most my apps, I no longer get it. I was blaming the AMD for a long time, but Intel was the Offender with its graphics. But no thanks to Intel and Microsoft for both being useless in telling me where abouts the problem lied. I had to figure it out after 3 months of Tweaking and testing. My Linux partition never had a problem. Reply
  • Jake Hall Never in my entire career have I seen an SFC scan fix a thing Reply
  • nitrium All problems can be trivially fixed by purchasing a new PSU. Everyone at Tom's Hardware Forums knows this. Reply
  • InvalidError I think the only times I have ever had blue screens on my nearly nine years old 3470 are from running the system without rebooting after updating display drivers: update drivers, continue running the system for a few days, crash, then runs fine for months on end until I reboot for Windows updates or update drivers and get the next one-time driver-related crash. That said, I haven't even seen the driver update crash in about two years, Nvidia must have fixed whatever code nugget was causing it. Reply
  • BillyBuerger One of our users had a laptop that was getting BSODs recently. Rand a memory test and it reported a LOT of errors. This is on an "ultrabook" with soldered memory. Goodbye laptop just over one month past it's warranty. Reply
BillyBuerger said: One of our users had a laptop that was getting BSODs recently. Rand a memory test and it reported a LOT of errors. This is on an "ultrabook" with soldered memory. Goodbye laptop just over one month past it's warranty.
nitrium said: All problems can be trivially fixed by purchasing a new PSU. Everyone at Tom's Hardware Forums knows this.
Some BSODs won’t be amenable to quick and easy fixes. When they come up, as they sometimes will, it’s time to ask for help in getting things figured out. I can recommend two terrific sources of troubleshooting assistance available online, each with its own dedicated user forum specifically focused on solving BSOD issues. Likewise, each one stipulates certain requirements on users seeking BSOD help. Source number one comes from TenForums.com (key disclosures: I am a VIP member of this community; I contribute input and suggestions to its members daily). The TenForums venue is in its BSOD Crashes and Debugging forum. Posting instructions are explicitly provided, along with a collection of BSOD tutorials, including those on WinDBG Basics,and how to Install and Configure WinDBG for BSOD Analysis, Run BSOD Error Troubleshooter in Windows 10, and Enable or Disable BSOD Automatic Restart in Windows 10. Source number two comes from British PC security and troubleshooting site BleepingComputer.com. They operate a user forum named Windows Crashes and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Help and Support. There, you’ll find pinned threads for the following topics (all of which are worth reading through)
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How to Fix the Blue Screen of Death on Windows

Last Updated: September 23, 2022 Tested

Using General Fixes

Fixing the "critical process died" error, fixing a registry error, restarting in safe mode, cleaning setup files, updating windows, deleting recently added apps, updating drivers, restoring a previous version of windows, resetting windows.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 1,853,644 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to fix the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD, Black screen in Windows 11) on a Windows computer. The BSoD is typically a result of improperly installed software, hardware, or settings, meaning that it is usually fixable. In some cases, though, the BSoD appears due to a corrupt operating system or hardware inside of the computer, meaning that you'll either need to reinstall your operating system or take your computer into a tech department to have it fixed.

Step 1 Consider your recent actions on the computer.

  • Click Update & Security .
  • Click the Troubleshoot tab.
  • Click Blue Screen .
  • Click Run the troubleshooter .
  • Review the resulting solutions and follow any on-screen instructions.

Step 4 Remove any unnecessary hardware.

  • You can typically keep your mouse and keyboard plugged into your computer, especially if they came with the computer itself when it was brand-new.

Step 5 Wait for your computer to restart.

  • If the BSOD appears again while your computer is attempting to restart, check its error code. If the error code is 0x000000EF, you should immediately skip ahead to the next part . If not, try rebooting in Safe Mode .

Step 6 Run a virus...

  • If the virus scan comes up with any malicious software, remove it immediately.
  • If the virus scan sends software settings suggestions (e.g., battery life) to you during the scan, try implementing them. A flawed setting may cause the BSoD to appear.

Step 1 Understand what this error means.

  • This error can be trivial, but if you see it happen multiple times in a row or you're unable to start your computer without running into the BSoD, it indicates a more serious issue.

Step 2 Make sure you've encountered the correct error.

  • If you're unable to use your computer without receiving this error, you need to take your computer into a reputable repair service or shop—it may be that your hard drive or processor is failing, in which case there's nothing you can do from your end.

Step 4 Open Start icon.

  • Re-open Command Prompt in administrator mode.
  • Type in Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press ↵ Enter .
  • Type in Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press ↵ Enter .
  • Type in Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press ↵ Enter .
  • Wait for any processes to finish running, then restart your computer.

Step 11 Take your computer into a reputable repair shop.

  • If you would rather just restore a previous version of Windows, skip to the "Restoring a Previous Version of Windows" section .

Step 2 Click Troubleshoot.

  • The deletion process may take a few minutes, especially if you've never deleted your computer's temporary files.

Step 1 Open Start icon.

  • Windows may restart several times, and you may have to activate Safe Mode again before proceeding.

Step 1 Open Start icon.

  • You'll repeat this process for each recently installed app here.

Step 1 Open Start icon.

  • For example, if you recently installed a wireless keyboard for a laptop, you would select the wireless keyboard's name after double-clicking the Keyboards hardware category.

Step 6 Click the

  • If you're already at this screen because your computer attempted and failed to restart several times, skip this step.

Step 2 Click Troubleshoot.

  • You may need to log into your computer before proceeding.

Step 6 Click Next.

  • System restore points are usually created when you update or install a significant piece of software or hardware.
  • If you've never backed up your computer and you don't see a restore point here, try resetting Windows instead.

Step 8 Click Next.

  • If the Blue Screen of Death reappears, you may need to restore an earlier backup.

Step 1 Open Start icon.

  • Keep my files - Keeps your files and folders when resetting your PC.
  • Remove everything - Completely clears your hard drive. Make sure that you have a backup of your documents and files stored elsewhere (e.g., an external hard drive) if you choose this option.

Step 7 Click Next.

  • If you chose Remove everything in the last window, you'll first click either Just remove my files or Remove files and clean the drive before this step.

Step 8 Click Reset.

  • If you're still running into the BSOD at this point, it's time to take your computer into a professional repair service to have it checked.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • The Blue Screen of Death isn't as much of a death sentence as it used to be; more often than not, it's simply because your computer was on for too long or can't support a software update. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how to fix pc blue screen error

  • Some computers are too old to be upgraded (i.e. upgrading a 2008 computer to Windows 10). Updating such a computer can cause it to crash into the BSoD. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

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  • ↑ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/bug-check-0x51--registry-error
  • ↑ https://www.windowscentral.com/how-troubleshoot-blue-screen-errors-windows-10#troubleshoot_blue_screen_safemode

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How to Fix a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

A BSOD can be caused by both hardware or software; the good news is that there are ways to recover from it

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  • What Causes a Blue Screen
  • How to Fix It
  • If Software is the Culprit
  • If Hardware is the Culprit
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A blank, blue screen on a computer is never a welcome sight. It means something has crashed the computer so badly that immediate steps must be taken to recover the system.

What Is The Blue Screen of Death? What Causes It?

A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), aka a STOP Error , appears when an issue is so serious that Windows must stop loading. It's usually hardware or driver related; most will show a STOP code to help you figure out the root cause.

If the blue screen flashes and your computer reboots automatically you'll need to disable the 'automatic restart on system failure' setting. Below are general Blue Screen of Death troubleshooting steps.

Please see our  List of Blue Screen Error Codes for individual STOP code troubleshooting steps. Come back here if we don't have a troubleshooting guide for your specific STOP code or if you have no idea what your STOP code is.

This troubleshooting guide applies to any version of Windows, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

How to Fix a Blue Screen of Death

The most important Blue Screen of Death troubleshooting step you can take is to ask yourself what you did just before the device stopped working.

Did you just install a new program or a piece of hardware, update a driver, install a Windows update, etc.? If so, there's a very good chance that the change you made caused the BSOD.

Undo the change you made and test again for the STOP Error. Depending on what it was that changed, some solutions might include:

  • Starting up using Last Known Good Configuration to undo recent registry and driver changes.
  • Using Windows System Restore to undo recent system changes.
  • Rolling back the device driver to a version prior to your driver update.

Some of these steps may require you to start Windows in Safe Mode . If that's not possible then skip those steps.

Check that there's enough free hard drive space where Windows is being installed. Blue Screens of Death and other serious issues, like data corruption, can occur if there's not enough free space on your primary partition.

Microsoft recommends that you maintain at least 100 MB of free space but you'll regularly see problems with free space that low. It's usually advised that Windows users keep at least 10% of a drive's capacity free at all times.

Scan your computer for malware and viruses . Some viruses can cause a Blue Screen of Death, especially ones that infect the master boot record (MBR) or boot sector.

Make sure your virus scanning software is completely up to date and that it's configured to scan the MBR and boot sector.

If you can't get far enough to run a virus scan from within Windows, there are some great free bootable anti-virus tools out there.

Check for and install all available Windows service packs and updates . Microsoft regularly releases patches and service packs for their operating systems that may contain fixes for the cause of your BSOD.

Update hardware drivers in Windows . Most Blue Screens of Death are hardware or driver-related, so updated drivers could fix the cause of the STOP error.

Check the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for errors or warnings that might provide more clues on the cause of the BSOD.

Event Viewer can be opened through Administrative Tools.

Return hardware settings to default in Device Manager.

Unless you have a specific reason to do so, the system resources that an individual piece of hardware is configured to use in Device Manager should be set to default. Non-default hardware settings have been known to cause a Blue Screen of Death.

Return BIOS settings to their default levels. An overclocked or misconfigured BIOS can cause all sorts of random issues, including BSODs.

If you've made several customizations to your BIOS settings and don't wish to load the default ones, then at least try returning clock speed, voltage settings, and BIOS memory options to their default settings and see if that fixes the STOP error.

Make sure all internal cables, cards, and other components are installed and seated properly. Hardware that's not firmly in place can cause a Blue Screen of Death, so try reseating the following and then test for the STOP message again:

  • Reseat all internal data and power cables
  • Reseat the memory modules
  • Reseat any expansion cards

Perform diagnostic tests on all hardware you're able to test—there are free memory test programs and free hard drive testing tools .

It's highly likely that the root cause of any given Blue Screen of Death is a failing piece of hardware. If a test fails, replace the RAM in your computer or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.

Update your BIOS . In some situations, an outdated BIOS could cause a Blue Screen of Death due to certain incompatibilities.

Start your PC with essential hardware only.

A useful troubleshooting step in many situations, including BSOD issues, is to start your computer with the minimum hardware necessary to run the operating system. If your computer starts successfully it proves that one of the removed hardware devices was the cause of the STOP message.

Typically, the only necessary hardware for starting your PC through to the operating system includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, primary hard drive, keyboard, video card, and monitor.

If you haven't corrected the cause of the BSOD yet, continue below with either the software or hardware steps, depending on the direction your troubleshooting went above.

Software Is Likely the Cause of the BSOD

If your troubleshooting has led you to believe that a particular software program is probably causing the BSOD, walk through this troubleshooting to get it taken care of:

Check for and install any available program updates. Most software programs let you check for updates via some menu option, so dig around until you find it.

If you can't, or you think it's not working, you can try one of these free dedicated software updater programs instead.

Reinstall the software . If updating doesn't work or isn't an option, simply uninstall the program and then install a clean version of it all over again.

Check with the developer for support information. It's possible that this particular BSOD is an issue the software maker has seen before and has already documented a specific solution for.

Try a competing program. If there's simply no way to make this program work (and uninstalling it proved that this program is the cause of the BSOD) then using a different but similar program might be your only course of action.

Hardware Is Likely the Cause of the BSOD

If you believe at this point that a piece of hardware is causing the Blue Screen of Death, here are your options:

Make sure the hardware is on the Windows Hardware Compatibility List .

While it's probably unlikely, it's possible that the hardware simply isn't compatible with your version of Windows.

Update the hardware's firmware.

Just like you might update software to fix a problem it's having with Windows, updating the hardware's software, called firmware , if there's any available, is a smart idea.

Check with the manufacturer for support information. Their knowledge base could have information on this issue that could be of help.

Replace the hardware. At this point it's pretty likely that the hardware itself simply no longer is working properly and should be replaced. Assuming this piece of hardware really was the only reason for the BSOD, it should go away after you do this.

The quickest way to resolve a BSOD on a Nintendo Switch is to hold down the Power button for 12 seconds to shut it down, and then restart it. Otherwise, switch to recovery mode and select Factory Setting Without Deleting Save Data .

To clear the error first, you'll need to restart your PC. Fortunately, Microsoft released an update KB5001567 to fix this issue occurring in printers from Kyocera, Ricoh, and Zebra, among others.

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How to Fix the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) in Windows

The blue screen of death is never good, but it can be fixed. The Windows BSDoD is typically caused by aging hardware or software incompatibilities, and you can often resolve it with the help of Windows diagnostics tools. Keep reading to find out how to fix the blue screen — then install optimization software to keep your computer running better, for longer.

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What is the Windows BSoD?

The blue screen of death is what you see on your computer screen when the Windows operating system crashes because of a fatal system error that causes it to malfunction and shut down. Usually, the Windows blue screen is the result of hardware failure, the corruption of system files, or the termination of a critical process.

The BSoD has become notorious and is commonly believed to indicate an unfixable error with a device. But while it’s always frustrating to see the blue screen, the “fatal” system error that caused Windows to crash can usually be fixed.

In Windows 10, the blue screen comes with a Windows 10 stop code, which refers to the exact error that caused the blue screen. To find out what caused the blue screen of death — and learn how to fix it and stop it from happening again — your first step should be looking up what the Windows stop code means.

In the example below, the stop code is DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL — we’ll take a closer look at this and other common Windows stop codes further down.

An example of a Blue screen of death in Windows 10

As disconcerting as BSoD may be, a totally blank screen is far more troubling. Without an error code to help you, it's difficult to know where to start to fix a black screen in Windows .

What causes the blue screen of death?

The blue screen of death is usually caused by improperly installed, damaged, or aging hardware, or by buggy or incompatible software. Driver updates for your graphics card or other hardware components can also cause a blue screen of death if they fail to integrate properly with the rest of your system.

Blue screen errors may also result from overheating, especially if you’re experiencing other issues, like a loud computer fan or a Task Manager showing 100% disk usage . Overheating itself could also signal a more fundamental problem with your computer, such as an infection by spyware or another form of malware .

You’ll see the cause of your BSoD on the screen itself. The cause will show up either as text, which you can google, or a QR code that you can scan with your phone. And even if your PC’s running fine today, it’s best to keep potential BSoD causes at bay by regularly cleaning up and speeding up your computer .

Common Windows stop codes

The blue screen error in Windows 10 comes with a string of text called a Windows stop code that catalogs the issue. The stop code can help you fix the problem and stop it from happening again.

Here’s a list of some of the stop codes you’re most likely to find on the blue screen in Windows 10 or 11:

CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED This code indicates that one of the important system files for Windows, like svchost.exe , isn’t functioning correctly. That might’ve happened because you closed it in the Task Manager. Before ending an unknown task, google the name of the process first.

SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED This can often happen when an update for a component isn’t interacting properly with the rest of Windows. You may need to roll back a driver update that was just recently installed.

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL A system file or device driver is demanding more memory than you have available. Getting good driver update software or scanning to repair corrupted system files may help here.

VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED This means your GPU has reached its breaking point and cannot handle the volume of data it's being given. Either you were overloading it or there’s an issue with your graphics drivers.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Your computer is asking for a part of your memory that doesn’t exist, either because part of the RAM has stopped working or there’s an error in the system process in question.

SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION This blue screen will show the exact file that caused the error, but if it’s a system file and not a device driver, you may not be able to fix it without reinstalling Windows.

DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION This Windows error message means that an essential file, whether related to your device or the operating system, has probably been corrupted.

NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM This error code means there’s almost certainly a problem with your hard drive. You may be able to fix and also prevent this from leading to a BSoD by running a chkdsk scan on your disk.

DATA_BUS_ERROR This means that a piece of hardware isn’t communicating properly with your computer. This could be because it wasn’t installed properly or because the component itself may be broken or faulty.

How to fix the blue screen of death on Windows

Now that you know the likely cause of the problem thanks to the Windows stop code, you can try to fix the blue screen of death by going through the following steps:

1. Shut down your computer

Use the Power button to turn off your computer.

2. Disconnect all devices

Since USB devices might be the culprit, remove all peripherals from your computer (besides the keyboard and mouse).

3. Restart your computer in Safe Mode

If your computer boots normally after a restart, you can enter Safe Mode from within Windows itself. Here’s how:

Press the Windows key , then type msconfig and hit enter.

The Windows start menu is opened, and "msconfig" is shown.

Select the Boot tab.

The System configuration window. The "Boot" tab is circled.

Under Boot options , check Safe boot and choose the “Minimal” setting.

The boot tab in system configuration. "Safe Boot" is checked, and "minimal" is chosen.

If the BSoD reappears, making it impossible for you to proceed, you’ll need to power down again and restart Windows in Safe Mode. Immediately as your PC boots up, press and hold the F8 key and then follow the on-screen instructions to switch to Safe Mode.

4. Uninstall recently installed programs

Now that Windows is in Safe Mode and only running essential processes, the problematic program, device driver, or system file has probably been deactivated, making it easier to uninstall. Start by removing the most recently installed programs, since these are the most likely culprits.

Here’s how to uninstall programs in Windows:

Press the Windows key . Type “add or remove programs” and hit enter.

The Windows start menu is opened, and "add or remove programs" is shown.

Find the application you want to remove and select Uninstall .

Add or remove programs" in Windows. A program has been clicked and the "Uninstall" button is shown.

If you find any strange or unfamiliar programs within your list of apps and features, you might want to uninstall them too. But make sure to Google the name first to find out what it is so that you don’t unintentionally uninstall any essential Microsoft software.

5. Rollback or disable drivers

Using the latest drivers improves the speed and security of your device. But sometimes bugs or glitches in updates can cause problems. If the blue screen error code referred to a specific driver causing the issue, simply disabling it or rolling back a recent update should fix the problem.

It can be cumbersome to check every driver and roll each of them back separately, but you may need to if nothing else works. Here’s how to disable drivers:

Press the Windows Key and type “ Device manager .” Then hit Enter .

The Windows start menu is open and is showing "Device manager."

Right-click on the relevant hardware component and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.

A view of device manager. The AMD display card is selected under "Display adapters." The AMD GPU has been right clicked, and the mouse is hovering over "Properties."

Click the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver .

The properties for the display adapter are displayed. The "Driver" tab is open and the "Roll Back Driver" button is shown.

6. Scan your computer for malware

It’s possible that malware is responsible for the corrupt files or critical process disruption that has caused your system to crash. In that case, you’ll need to repair and secure your computer with a dedicated malware and virus removal tool that will let you scan and get rid of the malware immediately.

Install AVG AntiVirus FREE to identify and remove malicious threats to your system. AVG’s advanced threat-detection technology will quickly wipe away threats and help keep your computer from crashing.

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7. Run an SFC Scan

To ensure all your system files are properly configured for Windows to operate normally, you should run a System File Checker (SFC) scan. Here’s how to run an SFC scan:

Press the Windows key and type “cmd.” Right-click Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator.” Click yes to confirm if prompted.

The Windows start menu is open, command prompt has been right-clicked, and "Run as administrator" has been circled.

Type “sfc /scannow” into Command Prompt and hit enter to start the scan.

 "sfc /scannow" typed into the command prompt.

8. Scan your hard drive

Running a CHKDSK scan will let you examine every bit of your hard drive, flag any errors, and correct them or index them to prevent those errors from causing performance issues or crashes such as the dreaded BSoD.

Here’s how to run a CHKDSK scan.

Press the Windows key and type “cmd.” Then, right-click Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator.” Click yes to confirm if prompted.

The Windows start menu is open, command prompt has been right-clicked, and "Run as administrator" has been circled.

Type “chkdsk” into Command Prompt and hit enter to run the scan.

"chkdsk" typed into a command prompt.

9. Check your computer's RAM

If a problem with your RAM is causing blue screen errors or other performance issues, check the status of your RAM using the Windows Memory Diagnostic. Memory hardware is particularly susceptible to degradation over time, and while this diagnostic tool can’t repair it, it can prevent your computer from trying to reference the damaged memory.

Here’s how to use Windows Memory Diagnostic to check the state of your RAM:

Press the Windows key, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic,” and select it when the option pops up.

The Windows start menu is open, command prompt has been right-clicked, and "Run as administrator" has been circled.

Click Restart now and check for problems (recommended) .

Windows Memory Diagnostic is displayed and the button "Restart now and check for problems" is circled.

You’ll see the diagnostic results as soon as you boot up again. You can also go back and review them at any time in Windows Event Viewer . If you think you need more RAM, check out our guide to upgrading your RAM .

10. Restart your PC to see if the BSoD reappears

Now it’s time to exit Safe Mode and resume the activity that prompted the blue screen. If the BSoD doesn’t reappear, you’ve probably successfully isolated and resolved the problem. Now you can start carefully reinstalling external devices, programs, and drivers that you previously removed.

As well as fixing the crash, your computer should now run more smoothly, having now run all the diagnostics and maintenance tasks listed above. Make sure you keep your computer running smoothly by keeping your operating system, programs, drivers, and other software updated.

11. Last resort: reinstall Windows

If you’ve tried all the steps above and you can’t fix the blue screen, try reinstalling Windows onto a formatted hard drive. This is a big step, but it will resolve the cause of any blue screen of death, unless your hardware is defective.

Beware that unless you have a backup, reinstalling Windows will result in the loss of all your files and user data . If you didn’t back up recently, there are third-party software tools that will help you copy your drive to an external HDD or SSD .

To reinstall Windows, you’ll need to have your Windows 10 product key — thankfully, Microsoft has made that easier with the latest Windows releases.

Stop your computer from crashing

The best way to prevent blue screen errors and other performance issues is with the help of an automated optimization tool that works quietly in the background to keep your system humming.

AVG TuneUp will help you free up storage space by removing junk and bloatware, and it will perform regular maintenance tasks to keep your system clean. Plus, AVG TuneUp will let you easily hibernate background processes to ensure your system isn’t overcooked, and it will even help you update your software and drivers automatically. Start your free AVG trial today.

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How to fix a 'Blue Screen of Death' on your Windows computer with 7 troubleshooting tips

  • You can try to fix the Blue Screen of Death on your Windows computer with a number of troubleshooting methods; below are the most common steps you can take.
  • The Blue Screen of Death on Windows indicates a critical fault and forces your computer to restart. On a properly functioning computer, Blue Screen errors should be rare or nonexistent.   
  • Blue Screen errors are generally unintelligible and can have many causes, so the details of the error code are unlikely to tell you what the problem is. 

The " Blue Screen of Death ," often abbreviated as BSOD or just called a Blue Screen, is the name that's been given to a generic set of error messages Windows computers display when a critical fault has occurred. A Blue Screen means that Windows can't proceed, so after displaying the error message, Windows will perform some behind-the-scenes housecleaning and restart. Unfortunately, there's no opportunity to save your work, so a Blue Screen often involves losing data.  

Blue Screen errors should be rare – if it happens to you frequently, you have a serious problem with your computer and should get the issue resolved professionally or replace the PC entirely. Even a very rare Blue Screen can be frustrating and costly (in terms of lost data or wasted time), though. 

Unfortunately, these error messages are unintelligible to ordinary users (and rarely tell even experienced programmers or developers enough to make meaningful recommendations), and there can be so many potential causes that they are very difficult to troubleshoot. 

How to fix a Blue Screen of Death on a Windows PC

These seven tips provide some general guidance for dealing with Blue Screen of Death error in Windows. 

Uninstall incompatible software

Because there are so many potential causes, it's helpful to start with the simplest possible fixes and work your way towards more complex or difficult troubleshooting steps. 

Your BSOD won't definitively identify the cause, but if you get the error more than once while running a particular program, that app might be to blame. If there's an updated version available, be sure to upgrade. If not, try uninstalling that app to see if the problem goes away. You can follow the instructions in our article on uninstalling programs on Windows 10. 

Because the problem might not be the program you were actively using when the BSOD occurred, you should also consider any other programs that were running in the background or that are currently idle, minimized to the taskbar, or running on a virtual desktop. Uninstall any software that seems to be running every time a Blue Screen occurs. 

Run a memory checker

Defective memory – specifically, Random Access Memory, or RAM, could be causing a BSOD, and it's one of several possible culprits if you get frequent, rather than only occasional, Blue Screens. Thankfully, there's a memory-checking tool built into Windows. 

In the Start search box, type "Memory" and then click "Windows Memory Diagnostic" when it appears in the search results. Click "Check for problems the next time I start my computer" and restart your computer to run the test. 

After your computer restarts, you'll need to find the test result. In the Start search box, type "Event Viewer" and then click "Event Viewer" when it appears in the search results. 

In the pane on the left, click "Windows Logs" and then click "System." In the pane on the right, click "Find" and search for "Memory Diagnostic." You should see the test results – if there were any problems reported, defective memory could be causing a BSOD.

Check for hard drive errors

Similarly, a problematic hard drive could be causing a BSOD. To check it for errors, type "this PC" in the Start search box and click it when you see it appear in the search results. Right-click your "C" drive and choose "Properties." Then click the "Tools" tab in the hard drive's Properties window. In the "Error checking" section, click "Check" and follow the instructions to manually check the hard drive. 

Remove non-essential peripherals

Blue Screen of Death is often caused by hardware issues rather than software problems – hence checking your memory and hard drive in the above troubleshooting steps. A fast and easy way to troubleshoot a recurring BSOD issue is to uninstall any external peripherals, such as printers, scanners, external storage, and so on. If these devices have special software installed, uninstall those as well. 

Replace defective or incompatible expansion cards

It can be time-consuming and cumbersome to remove hardware from inside your PC, but if you have a recurring BSOD, this is sometimes the culprit. In particular, premium graphics cards and audio cards can be the root of the problem. For the graphics card in particular, try removing it and plugging your monitor into the motherboard's built-in graphics; you should see a separate HDMI port on the back of your PC for this. You should also uninstall the Nvidia or AMD graphics card driver software. 

Run SetupDiag after a failed Windows update

If you are having problems with a BSOD specifically when trying to update your PC's Windows software, then a Windows tool called SetupDiag can help. This is a program that analyzes issues with your PC and can suggest why you are seeing a Blue Screen of Death when trying to update Windows. 

To get started, go to Microsoft's SetupDiag webpage and click "Download SetupDiag." 

After the download is complete, install the program and then run it. The program will display any issues it encountered, which might help you resolve your BSOD issue.  

Perform a clean install

If none of these troubleshooting tips have resolved your recurring BSOD, there are still some other root causes, but you're generally faced with one of two primary possibilities: You have a software issue you haven't yet isolated, or you have a critical hardware problem with your computer that can't be easily repaired or replaced. 

To eliminate the possibility of a software problem, you can perform a clean install of Windows. This erases all the content from your hard drive, which means you will need to reinstall all your programs. 

To do this, click the Start search box and type "reset." Click "Reset this PC" in the search results. In the "Reset this PC" section, click "Get started." Follow the directions to reinstall Windows, keeping your files if you desire. When it's done, you'll have a clean, fresh new version of Windows without any of the software or drivers that might be causing the BSOD. If possible, use the computer in this state – installing only the most absolutely essential software – until you determine if the problem is resolved. 

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How to fix Blue Screen of Death errors on Windows 11

Does a blue screen error keep popping up on Windows 11? Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix this problem.

Windows 11 fix Blue Screen of Death

  • Fix blue screen errors during an upgrade
  • Fix blue screen error during startup
  • Fix blue screen errors desktop

On Windows 11 , Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) refers to the error on the screen when the system cannot handle a specific operation that causes the device to crash without warning. 

Usually, you will see a "blue screen" (also referred to as "stop error," "system crash," or "bug check") during an upgrade, starting up the system, or "out of the blue" when you're actively working with applications. Furthermore, you will only see a blue background with a sad kaomoji with insufficient information to determine the reason for the problem.

However, the issue can usually be narrowed to a buggy update, device driver, compatibility issues with a specific app, or a piece of hardware that needs replacing.

This guide will walk you through different steps to troubleshoot and resolve most problems causing blue screen errors on Windows 11.

How to resolve blue screen errors during an upgrade on Windows 11

A Blue Screen of Death is not uncommon while upgrading to Windows 11. Usually, the error may occur because of a compatibility problem with an application or security software. However, it can also happen because of corruption in the current setup or damaged files in the installation media.

If the installation wizard rolled back to the previous setup, uninstalling non-essential apps, disconnecting non-essential devices, re-downloading the setup files, or performing a clean installation can fix the problem.

Uninstall problematic apps

To uninstall an application causing a blue screen on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Open  Settings .
  • Click on  Apps .
  • Click the "Apps & features" page on the right side.
  • Under the "App list" section, click the menu (three-dotted) button and choose the  Uninstall  option for the incompatible app.
  • Click the Uninstall button again.
  • Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the steps to uninstall other non-essential apps. After removing all the conflicting applications, you may try to continue with the installation process.

Disconnect non-essential devices

When a hardware problem is detected, you are likely to see a blue screen of death. As a result of this potential issue, it's a good idea to disconnect the non-essential peripherals from your computer. 

For example, you may want to disconnect external hard drives, printers, secondary monitors, phones, and other USB or Bluetooth devices.

After the installation, you can reconnect the peripherals. 

It might be a compatibility issue if you continue to see the problem. 

Typically, updating the device driver to the latest version can resolve the issue. However, if the computer already has the most recent driver, the problem may be with the new version of Windows 11, or the hardware coincidently got damaged and needs to be replaced.

Microsoft lists all the known issues for the different versions of Windows on the  health dashboard page . 

Redownload setup files

If you try to use the upgrade option from the Windows Update settings and you see a blue screen, it may be that one or more files are damaged. In this case, you can clear out the files and try to re-download the setup files one more time.

To clear and download the Windows 11 installation files again, use these steps:

  • Click on  System .
  • Click the  Storage  page on the right side.
  • Click the  Temporary files  setting.
  • Clear the default options.
  • Check the "Temporary Windows installation files" option.
  • Click the  Remove files  button.

After completing the steps, you can click the "Check for updates" button to re-download the installation files in the Windows Update settings.

If the problem remains, you may have to use the Installation Assistant to perform an in-place upgrade.

Check upgrade logs 

Microsoft's SetupDiag is a tool for administrators that can help troubleshoot and determine why an installation failed, which could be critical information to resolve the problem.

To determine why the upgrade failed to apply to the SetupDiag tool, use these steps:

  • Open the  SetupDiag  page .
  • Click the  Download SetupDiag  button to save the installer on your computer.
  • Right-click the "SetupDiag.exe" and select the  Run as administrator  option.
  • Right-click the  SetupDiagResults.log  file and select the  Open  option.

Once you complete the steps, the app will open the log file for review with the default text editor.

In the case that an error was recorded, and it's a known issue, then the log should include details on how to resolve the issue. If the file doesn't have any details, you may find a link or error code that you can research to fix the problem. 

Clean installation 

If you want to prevent problems, such as blue screens, the best way to upgrade to a new version of Windows 11 is to perform a clean installation since this process will erase everything and set up a fresh copy of the system, which can also help to resolve other issues and improve performance.

The process of doing a clean installation requires the device to start from a USB flash drive. If your computer can't start from USB, you will have to change the boot order in the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware.

Usually, to access your device firmware, you must use one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the Esc key, or the Delete key during startup. However, since the settings are different per manufacturer and per device model, you should check your computer manufacturer for more specific details.

While in the firmware, you will need to navigate to the "Boot" page and change the boot order to start from a USB flash drive. After completing these steps, you must create an installation media and use that media to continue with the clean installation.

To delete everything on the hard drive and do a clean install of Windows 11 to prevent the blue screen of death errors, use these steps:

  • Start PC with installation media.
  • On "Windows Setup," click the  Next  button.
  • Click the  Install Now  button.
  • Click the  "I don't have a product key"  option to continue (assuming your computer was already properly activated).
  • Select the edition of Windows 11 that the product key activates (if applicable).
  • Click the  Next  button.
  • Check the  "I accept the license terms"  option to continue.
  • Click on the  "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)"  option.
  • Select the partition with the current installation of Windows (usually "Drive 0"), and click the  Delete  button to remove it. 
  • Quick tip:  If you have multiple partitions on the primary hard drive (Drive 0), select and delete each one. The setup will recreate the required partitions automatically. You don't need to delete partitions from secondary drives.
  • Select the empty drive labeled  Drive 0 Unallocated Space .

Once you complete the steps, the setup will begin installing Windows 11, avoiding many blue screen errors. After the installation, you'll need to continue with the  out-of-box experience (OOBE)  to finish setting up the device. 

How to resolve blue screen errors during startup on Windows 11

If the device has problems starting up, you can use the Windows Recovery (WinRE) environment to troubleshoot and resolve the blue screen error with System Restore, Safe Mode, or Advanced Startup settings.

Fix errors with System Restore

Windows 11 still includes the legacy System Restore, which enables you to undo changes to resolve problems after installing a bad driver, system update, or application. (The only caveat is that this feature will only work if you have  previously enabled it manually .)

You can access the tool through the Advanced Startup settings if you want to use System Restore.

Access Advanced Startup from boot

To launch the Advanced startup settings to access System Restore, use these steps:

  • As soon as the Windows logo appears, press and hold the  power  button to interrupt the boot sequence.
  • Repeat  steps 1  and  2  two more times.

After the third interruption, Windows 11 should open the recovery environment and continue with the steps below to access System Restore.

Access Advanced Startup from USB

Alternatively, you can use installation media to open the advanced settings with these steps:

  • Start PC with USB media. 
  • Quick tip:  If the computer isn't starting from USB, you'll need to change your system's UEFI settings to ensure it can start from USB. You can usually access the UEFI by powering up your device and pressing one of the function, Delete, or Esc keys, but make sure to check your manufacturer's support website for more specific details.
  • Click the " Repair your computer"  option from the bottom-left corner.

Once you complete the steps, continue with the "Restore Point" instructions below.

Fix blue screen of death with Restore Point

To fix blue screen problems with a restore point on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Click the  Advanced Startup  option. 
  • Quick note: The "Advanced Startup" option is only available when using the Windows automatic repair feature, not when using a USB media.
  • Click the  Troubleshoot  option.
  • Click on  Advanced options.
  • Click the  System Restore  option.
  • Click the Windows 11 option.
  • Confirm your account credentials (if applicable).
  • Click the  Continue  button.
  • Select the restore point to apply to the blue screen error.
  • (Optional) Click the "Scan for affected programs" button to determine the apps that may be affected using a restore point.
  • Click the  Close  button.
  • Click the  Finish  button.

After completing the steps, Restore Point will apply the checkpoint you selected, which will undo updates, drivers, apps, and system changes to the problem.

Fix errors with Safe Mode

On Windows 11, Safe Mode is a startup environment that loads only the essential services, drivers, and applications to access the desktop to troubleshoot problems.

If you don't have access to the desktop, you can boot your computer through the Windows Recovery environment.

To launch the Advanced Startup settings to access System Restore, use these steps:

After the third interruption, the system should enter the recovery environment and continue with the steps below to access the Safe Boot option.

Alternatively, you can use installation media to open the Windows Recovery environment with these steps:

  • Click the  Next  button.
  • Click the  Repair your computer  option from the bottom-left corner.

Once you complete the steps, continue with the instructions below to access the Safe Mode environment.

Fix bug check on Safe Mode 

To access Safe Mode to diagnose Blue Screen of Death errors on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Click the  Advanced Startup  option
  • Click the  Troubleshoot  option.
  • Click on  Advanced options .
  • Click the  Startup Settings  option.
  • Click the  Restart  button.
  • After your computer reboots, press the  F4  (or  4 ) key to select the Enable Safe Mode option.

After you complete the steps, you can use the next set of instructions to uninstall updates and drivers that may be preventing your computer from operating correctly.

Fix errors with WinRE

Since the Safe Mode environment loads the essential elements, you can still use Device Manager to remove drivers and Event Viewer to troubleshoot errors. However, the Settings app won't work to uninstall updates, but you can still use Command Prompt to complete the task.

Uninstall conflicting update

To uninstall a system update with Command Prompt, use these steps:

  • Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command. 
  • Type cmd and click the OK button to launch Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Type the following command to view the most recent installed updates and press  Enter :  wmic qfe list brief /format:table
  • Confirm the  HotFixID  and  InstalledOn  information to determine the update to remove.
  • Type the following command to uninstall the update from your computer and press  Enter :  wusa /uninstall /kb:KB-NUMBER  

In the command, replace  KB-NUMBER  for the KB number of the update to uninstall. This example removes the update KB5013889 from Windows 11:  wusa /uninstall /kb:5015732

  • Click the  Yes  button.

Once you complete the steps, you may need to restart the computer to apply the changes.

Uninstall conflicting driver

To uninstall an incompatible driver with Safe Mode, use these steps:

  • Right-click the  Start button and select the Device Manager option.
  • Search for  Device Manager  and select the top result to open the app.
  • Expand the branch with the device causing the problem.
  • Right-click the device and choose the  Uninstall device  option.
  • Click the  OK  button.

After you complete the steps, repeat the steps to remove other drivers as necessary, and then restart the computer to find out if the problem has been resolved.

Check Event Viewer 

The Event Viewer is another tool that you can use to find out more information about the Blue Screen of Death error to diagnose the issue.

To troubleshoot blue screens with the Event Viewer on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Right-click the  Start button and select the Event Viewer option.
  • Expand the  Windows Logs  group.
  • Right-click the "System" category and choose the  Filter Current Log  option.
  • Click the  Filter  tab.
  • Use the  Logged  drop-down menu and select the time range when the error occurred — for example,  Last 12 hours .
  • Under the "Event level" section, check the  Critical and Error  options.
  • Click the  OK  button.
  • Double-click to open each log to learn more details about the problem. 
  • Quick note:  The blue screen errors may appear as "BugCheck" in the "Source" column.
  • Check event log details for clues about the error.

Once you complete the steps, the "General" tab will give you some technical details that you can use to diagnose and resolve the blue screen problem on Windows 11.

If the error doesn't provide enough information, you can copy the description, source, and event ID and use it to search online for a possible solution.

Fix blue screen error with Windows Recovery

If a recently installed update is causing the computer to blue screen, you can use the Advanced Startup settings in Windows Recovery to uninstall it.

To launch the Advanced Startup settings, use these steps:

After the third interruption, the system should enter the recovery environment and continue with the steps below.

Once you complete the steps, continue with the instructions below.

Uninstall quality or feature updates

To uninstall the most recent update causing the bug check error, use these steps:

  • Click the  Advanced Startup  option.
  • Click the  Uninstall Updates  option.
  • Click the "Uninstall latest quality update" to remove a recent update. Or click the "Uninstall latest feature update" option to roll back to a previous version.
  • Click the  Uninstall quality update button.
  • Click the  Done  button.
  • Click the  Continue  option.

After you complete the steps, the system will remove the update to fix the Blue Screen of Death error.

How to resolve blue screen errors during normal use on Windows 11

When the blue screen occurs after signing into your account, the problem is typically a driver, missing update, or application.

Install latest updates

If you still have access to the desktop, you may be able to fix the bug check by installing the latest updates for Windows 11, drivers, and apps.

System updates

To check for updates on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Click on  Windows Update .
  • Click the  Check for updates  button.

Once you complete the steps, if the computer is missing an update, the system will download and install them automatically. 

Driver update

To check for driver updates on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Click the  Advanced options  page on the right side.
  • Under the "Additional options" section, click the  Optional updates  setting.
  • Select the driver update to install.
  • Click the  Download & install  button.

Once you complete the steps, the most up-to-date driver should download and install automatically. 

If the system can detect any new updates, check the manufacturer's support website to download a more recent driver using their instructions. 

Since the problem could be a known issue, you may also want to check for a beta version of a driver, which may include a patch for bug check.

If a compatibility issue causes the blue screen with an app, installing the latest version may resolve the problem.

To update apps on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Open  Microsoft Store .
  • Click on  Library .
  • Click the  Get updates  button.

Once you complete the steps, any available updates will download and install automatically.

If you are dealing with an app you acquired from outside the Microsoft Store, you will need to check for updates in the app's settings or the software vendor support website.

Uninstall problematic apps, drivers, and updates

Sometimes, software, as well as hardware companies, release updates with bugs that can cause the Blue Screen of Death, among other issues.

If you have access to the desktop, you can remove these system updates, drivers, or apps to mitigate the problem until a newer version rolls out with a permanent fix.

Remove updates

To uninstall updates on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Click on  Update history .
  • Under the "Related settings" section, click the  Uninstall updates  option.
  • Select the update causing the blue screen and click the  Uninstall  button.

After completing the steps, the update will be removed from the computer, hopefully fixing the bug check problem.

Remove drivers

To uninstall a device driver on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Open  Start .
  • Search for  Device Manager  and click the top result to open the app.
  • Right-click the device and select the  Uninstall device  option.

Once you complete the steps, the driver will be removed from the computer.

Rollback driver version

Alternatively, you can try rolling back to the previous version of the driver if a newer version is causing BSoD on Windows 11.

To rollback to a previous version of a driver, use these steps:

  • Search for  Device Manager  and click the top result to open the console.
  • Expand the category of the device with the problem.
  • Right-click the device and select the  Properties  option.
  • Click the  Driver  tab.
  • Click the  Roll Back Driver  button (if available). 
  • Quick tip:  If the option isn't available, the system doesn't have a backup of the previous driver.
  • Select one of the available options to answer the question.

After completing the steps, the driver will roll back to the previous version to resolve the blue screen problem.

Disable drivers

If you don't want to uninstall or roll back the driver, you can disable it to confirm whether the device is causing the issue.

To disable a device driver on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Right-click the device and select the  Disable device  option.
  • Click the  Yes  button.

Once you complete the steps, the device will no longer be available on Windows 11 but will remain installed.

Remove apps

If you are dealing with a compatibility problem, you will probably experience a Blue Screen of Death randomly or upon launching the app. In this case, you can try updating the app to a newer version or uninstall the app in question to overcome the problem.

To uninstall an app on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Click on Apps .
  • Click the  Apps & features  page on the right side.
  • Select the app, click the menu (three-dotted), and choose the  Uninstall  option.
  • Click the  Uninstall  option again.

After completing the steps, the app will no longer be available on the computer, mitigating the blue screen problem. Once an update becomes available to resolve the bug check permanently, you can then reinstall the app.

On Windows 11, a Blue Screen of Death error message may appear after connecting a new piece of hardware (for example, USB drive, graphics adapter, etc.). If this happens, you are probably in front of a compatibility issue, the hardware is broken, or the system is installing the wrong driver.

In the case of a compatibility issue, you can contact support for assistance, or you may need to replace the hardware with a compatible alternative.

If the system is trying to install the wrong driver, uninstall the current driver, and install the correct version using the manufacturer's support instructions.

Run DISM and SFC commands

If you see a blue screen as a result of an installation problem, you may be able to use the Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) tools to resolve the issue.

To resolve installation problems with DISM and SFC commands on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Search for  Command Prompt , right-click the top result, and select the  Run as administrator  option.
  • Type the following command to repair the Windows 10 image and press  Enter : DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • Type the following command to repair the Windows 11 setup and press  Enter : SFC /scannow 
  • Quick tip:  If errors exist, run the command multiple times to ensure that everything has been repaired correctly.

Once you complete the steps, the DISM command will repair problems with the local system image, and the SFC command will use the files in the system image to repair damaged files in the current setup of Windows 11, hopefully fixing the Blue Screen of Death.

If you still have access to the desktop, the Event Viewer can help find out the reason the device is getting bug check errors.

To review event longs on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Search for  Event Viewer  and click the top result to open the app.
  • Under the "Event level" section, check the  Critical  and  Error  options.

Troubleshooting and fixing Blue Screen of Death errors can be difficult and time-consuming. However, typically, it's an issue with a driver or application conflicting with Windows 11 (or vice versa).

Finally, in addition to blue screens, you may also come across a black screen, which is usually related to display connection issues, graphics driver problems, or something else happening in the system.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

  • Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
  • Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

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Best Ways to Fix Blue Screen of Death Errors in Windows

Sayak Boral

The blue screen of death (BSOD) error is one of the most annoying system crashes unique to Windows computers. BSOD crashes can occur due to many reasons: corrupted registry, incompatible Windows updates, damaged installation files, out-of-sync drivers, and any outdated hardware problems. The following tutorial covers some of the best general fixes to mitigate any BSOD error, irrespective of the stop code.

Good to know : does your Windows PC take forever to start up? Disable these startup programs for a fast boot !

Most Common Blue Screen of Death Errors

How to fix the blue screen of death error, 1. fix corrupted registry with startup repair, 2. system restore to previous date/time, 3. uninstall updates, 4. fix the outdated drivers, 5. check for hard disk errors, 6. update the bios or restore its default, 7. test your pc for failing hardware and replace critical components, 8. remove any external devices, 9. do a hard windows reset/reinstall, frequently asked questions.

There are many different kinds of Windows blue screen of death (BSOD) errors, but they do have a few things in common. Each error is indicated by a “sad face” emoticon, along with the text: “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some info, and then we’ll restart for you.” There will also be an all-caps text next to the Stop code explaining the exact nature of the BSOD crash.

A percentage counter tracks the amount of data analyzed up to the crash instance, and the exact bug is spelled out properly.

BSoD error with stop code IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL in Windows 11.

As BSOD errors have many similar attributes, the following is a list of the most common BSOD errors that you may encounter, along with their stop codes in parentheses.

  • BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO (0x00000074)
  • CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED (0x000000EF)
  • KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR (0x0000007A)
  • UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION (0x00000154)
  • WDF_VIOLATION (0x0000010D)
  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x0000000A) and IRQL_NOT_GREATER_OR_EQUAL (0x00000009)
  • HTTP_DRIVER_CORRUPTED (0x000000FA)
  • NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT (0x0000000B)
  • SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (0x0000007E)
  • DISORDERLY_SHUTDOWN (0x000000F3)
  • DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER (0x000000F7)
  • VIDEO_MEMORY_MANAGEMENT_INTERNAL (0x0000010E)
  • RAMDISK_BOOT_INITIALIZATION_FAILED (0x000000F8)
  • KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE (0x00000139)

Tip : want to keep some apps from being accessible to anyone who uses your Windows PC? Learn how to hide Windows apps .

The following steps show how to resolve blue screen errors as soon as you encounter them. While we will attempt to cover the general fixes for most BSOD errors, each one has a different origin. For some of these BSOD errors, we have included their troubleshooting articles in the previous section.

During each crash, Windows saves a “minidump” file that explains the precise reason behind the crash. The fixes we’ve included work in general for all kinds of stop codes. Some of these methods require an advanced startup mode, which is different than a regular Windows startup.

  • In Windows 11, go to “Settings -> System -> Recovery -> Advanced startup.” The corresponding path for Windows 10 is “Settings -> Update & Security -> Recovery -> Advanced startup.”
  • Click “Restart now” to start your Windows PC in Safe Mode.

Clicking

  • As soon as the PC is in advanced startup mode, click “Troubleshoot.”

Choose Troubleshoot in Windows Advanced startup.

  • Go to “Advanced options” under “Troubleshoot.”

Selecting advanced options in Troubleshoot under Adanced Startup.

  • After clicking “Advanced options,” you have to follow a few steps to ensure that the exact BSOD error is resolved. None of these methods will consume much time.

Tip : learn how to back up your registry in Windows before making modifications to it.

First, eliminate the possibility of a corrupted registry, which usually occurs due to malware attacks in boot services. To eliminate it, follow the steps below.

  • Go to “Startup repair,” also formerly known as “Automatic repair.”

Choosing startup repair under Advanced options.

  • The system will diagnose your PC for any registry-related problems. It will take just a few minutes.

Startup repair couldn't repair the PC - no results.

  • If there are no registry errors, you should see a message that “Startup repair couldn’t repair your PC.” Go back to “Advanced options” once again.

If you saw the BSOD error for the very first time, it is helpful to restore your PC with the below steps to its most recent trouble-free version.

  • Go to “System Restore.”

Choosing system restore in Advanced options for Windows.

  • You will be prompted to “Restore system files and settings.” Click “Next.”
  • Select a recent restore point from a time this error did not occur. You don’t need to remember the exact date, as a rough estimate will do.

Choose restore point in System Restore under Advanced options.

  • Confirm your restore point and wait for the process to initialize and complete.

Confirm restore point in Advanced startup mode.

  • Once the system has been restored to a recent point, you can be assured that the BSOD error source has been mitigated.

Good to know : have you noticed that the Antimalware Service Executable is eating up your resources ? Find out why this is the case and what you can do about it.

Sometimes bad installation files in a recent app or feature can also cause the BSOD error. To eliminate them, return to “Advanced options” and select “Uninstall updates.” You can sort out the problem by uninstalling the latest quality updates or feature updates.

Uninstall some kinds of updates in Advanced startup.

It does not take very long to uninstall the last update. You can always reinstall the app or the entire feature.

Uninstall update confirmation under Advanced startup.

Sometimes the BSOD error is due to a faulty driver. This is identified by the Windows system in its “minidump” error. To identify the out-of-sync driver, follow these steps:

  • Go to “Device Manager” from the Start menu.

Search for device manager in Windows search menu.

  • Locate the precise driver that was identified in the error screen. Right-click to update it.

Update problem drivers in Device Manager through a right-click.

  • The system lets you automatically search for the latest drivers or manually install one saved to your device. Choose the first option.

Click search automatically for drivers in Update drivers.

  • The update will take a while, as the system automatically searches for the latest driver. Make the changes as soon as possible.
  • If the best drivers for your device are already installed, the system will update the information, and you don’t have to do anything else.

Bsod Windows Best Drivers Already Installed

Tip : check your hard disk health with these tools.

You must ensure that your computer has no hard disk errors. For this, run a chkdsk command from the Start menu.

Open Chkdsk run command as Administrator.

Run the program as an Administrator, and let the entire process complete itself. If there are any hard disk errors, they will show up here. You can again update the drivers for the hard disk from “Disk update” in “Device Manager” shown in the above section.

Various stages of Chkdsk process in Command Prompt,

If you’re stuck in a legacy BIOS mode for your device, you must upgrade to the latest UEFI mode and will need to switch from Master Boot Record (MBR) to GUID Partition Table (GPT) using an MBR to GPT conversion tool. Apart from that, different laptops have their own methods to access the BIOS screen. Once you’ve entered the BIOS mode, look for any pending updates marked on the device. If you are facing problems with the BIOS, restore its default version.

BIOS screen visible in safe mode.

Good to know : if you’re not sure how to enter BIOS , we share various methods of doing so.

Most BSOD issues stem from faulty hardware. To know which parts are failing, we are using HWinfo , the Microsoft hardware diagnostic tool.

  • After installing and extracting the tool in a Windows folder, initialize the diagnostic tool.

Initializing HWinfo from extracted folder.

  • The results summary will offer details of every aspect of your device, ranging from motherboards to USB ports.
  • The results are color-coded. Green means that everything is OK. Bold red indicates error information, and bold blue indicates warning information.

Bsod Windows Hwinfo Results Color Coded

  • Once the faulty hardware is identified, it has to be replaced.

If you’re using any external devices with your laptop, such as multi-port USB hubs, network adapters, storage hard drives, speakers, SD cards, or CD/DVD drives, their issues may cause your Windows device to shut down or restart suddenly. Disconnect all external devices except a wireless mouse, and recheck your computer for signs of possible error. If you do not experience BSOD errors after removing the external devices, then it’s safe to assume they will be the cause of errors in the future, and you should replace them.

This method should only be employed as a last resort. If a hardware check finds issues due to corrupted hardware, a total factory reset would be the best course of action. We have covered the different methods to do a hard reset on your Windows system. To get rid of legacy issues, it’s also very fast these days to reinstall Windows online .

FYI : is the Bluetooth button missing from the Action Center in Windows? Learn how to bring it back.

Can incompatible RAM cause BSOD?

Yes, improperly installed RAM on a computer is a leading cause of system failure and conflicts, including BSOD problems. BSOD can also happen after a RAM upgrade if one or more RAM sticks are not configured correctly. Fortunately, these issues can be avoided by knowing your device’s RAM limits . Faulty hard disks, motherboards, and issues with the power supply are also leading causes of blue screens. You will get the exact data on failing hardware using the HWinfo system tool.

Why am I getting a blue screen boot loop error?

In the worst case scenario of a Windows blue screen of death, your PC will remain stuck in an infinite boot loop error. In such a situation, you must hold down the power button for a cold restart. As soon as you notice a BSOD error, it is essential to try and fix this problem right away. Before you do, remove any external hardware, such as USB devices, headphones, or printers. Some of the techniques in this guide will help remove the infinite loop problem .

How do I fix a blue screen on startup?

If you’re encountering a blue screen of death error during Windows startup, press the power button to shut down, and restart your device in Safe Mode using the specific boot key for your manufacturer. Once in Safe Mode, use the troubleshooting methods, such as Startup Repair, uninstalling updates, command line fixes, and System Restore/Reset to eliminate any blue screen at startup.

Once you log in, post a BSOD crash, and get rid of most of the unnecessary startup apps. In fact, you only need two of them for a flawless login.

Image credit: BSOD-Simulator . All screenshots by Sayak Boral.

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Sayak Boral

Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.

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Computer Hope

How to fix Windows blue screen errors

Windows logo

Before fixing a Microsoft Windows blue screen or blue screen of death error (BSoD), you must first identify what error it is, as there are multiple types of blue screen errors.

If you are experiencing a completely blue or light blue screen with no text or error message, your computer may have a bad video card or monitor, resulting in only seeing a blue screen. If possible, attempt to check if your video card is having issues or your monitor is bad.

  • My video card isn't working.
  • No display or black screen on a computer monitor.

If your computer reboots and you cannot read the text in the blue screen quickly enough, follow the steps below. If you cannot get into Windows to perform the steps below, boot the computer into Safe Mode. If you cannot boot into Safe Mode, you may have corrupt Windows system files, a defective memory chip or a defective hard drive . You should run hardware diagnostic tests to determine if the memory or hard drive is causing the blue screen errors.

  • How to open Safe Mode.
  • How to test for hardware failures in a computer.

Disable automatic restart

First, to facilitate troubleshooting the problem, disable automatic restart.

  • From the desktop or in the Windows Start menu , right-click My Computer or Computer .
  • Click the Properties option.
  • In the System Properties window , click the Advanced tab or the Advanced system settings link.
  • On the Advanced tab, click the Settings button in the Startup and Recovery section.
  • In the Startup and Recovery window, uncheck the Automatically restart check box.

Blue screen errors

Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and later versions of Windows have a blue screen error that is similar to the example shown below. These error messages often contain more detailed information and contain information that can be searched for and found. If you're not getting a blue screen error that looks like the example below, skip to the next Fatal exceptions section.

Windows XP blue screen stop error

If you are getting a solid blue screen with no white text , you are not encountering a BSoD. It's likely a problem with your video card , monitor , or other hardware.

  • Identify the blue screen by locating a line containing all capital letters with underscores instead of spaces, such as the above example, BAD_POOL_HEADER . Write this information down. If you do not see anything written in all caps with underscores like this, skip this step.
  • Get either the STOP: error message at the top of the error, or in the "Technical Information:" portion of the error. For example, in the above error, it is STOP: 0x00000019 , write the first portion of this error message down.
  • Finally, if technical information is shown, write down the file and the address.

Once you have the above information, you can start troubleshooting the issue. Below are common blue screen errors and links to pages that contain the troubleshooting steps for some errors.

If your error is not listed in the below section, search for the error you wrote down.

  • BAD_POOL_HEADER
  • DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
  • DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
  • INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
  • KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
  • NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
  • PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
  • STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
  • THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
  • UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
  • UNKNOWN_HARD_ERROR

Fatal exceptions

Windows blue screen of death

Many of the blue screen error messages you'll encounter with earlier versions of Windows will be fatal exception error messages or Fatal 0E messages. If your blue screen message starts out with A fatal exception 0E ... or An exception ... , you are encountering this error. For these blue screen errors, refer to the following article.

  • How to fix a fatal exception error.

Related information

  • See our BSOD and error definitions for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.

How to fix the blue screen of death error in Windows 11

The blue screen of death in Windows 11 can be frustrating but it's relatively easy to fix

Blue screen of death Windows 11 - a screenshot taken of the error screen from a Microsoft Windows PC

It’s all too likely that you have experienced a blue screen of death (BSOD) on Windows 11 at some point. This is a common sight to any Windows user who has seen their PC crash and is not something to cause immediate panic or concern.

How to boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode How to move Microsoft's Windows 11 from a hard drive to an SSD Most common Windows 11 problems and how to fix them

There are any number of causes for a BSOD to happen, so this is not necessarily cause for concern. Sometimes it can be enough to simply restart your system, but there are more thorough ways to fix the problem.

The blue screen of death on Windows 11 helpfully provides an error code to give users an idea of what caused the crash. These codes also provide users with an idea of when they can expect to get back to working on their devices uninterrupted

What is the blue screen of death?

The BSOD is also called a ‘STOP error,’ and it is an indicator of a fatal system error. IT professionals have come to refer to it by its foreboding name over many years due to its irritating nature and iconic bright blue background.

Prior to Windows 8 , the BSOD was a little less user-friendly than it is today and Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 11 brought in a few new changes too. One significant difference was to replace the iconic blue background to match the operating system’s color palette, meaning the BSOD on Windows 11 was originally black rather than blue.

The classic blue background was reinstated in a later build of Windows 11, which means that if you’re facing a black screen of death you are running an older build of Windows 11. If this is the case, you should install the latest Windows 11 update to benefit from up-to-date security protections and all the latest features.

Steps to fix the blue screen of death in Windows 11

The BSOD in Windows 11 is much easier to understand than its predecessors. But as it often occurs without warning and requires immediate attention to be resolved, it can still be intimidating for the uninitiated user.

To ensure that you don’t lose any unsaved work, it’s best to wait for the system to back itself up before doing anything; the error screen should give you a percentage and display the progress of the backup.

Some of the best steps to take are:

  • Check error and QR codes
  • Query BSOD error codes

Check the Windows 11 Memory Dump

Boot windows in safe mode, use system restore, reset your pc, check the error and qr codes.

When the BSOD appears, users will be shown error code. This will be a mixture of numbers and letters, usually starting with "0x".

This number corresponds with the exact error that your machine is having, so it’s important to keep a record of it.

It’s normal for the error code to be shown alongside its Stop Code, which is the part that tells the user the cause of the problem. The stop code is always a series of words in block capitals, shown in square brackets.

For example, the error code 0x00000001 may show as ' APC_INDEX_MISMATCH ' which tells the user that there is a mismatch in the APC state index.

In contrast, [CRITCAL_PROCESS_DIED] informs the user that something is wrong with an aspect of the operating system that your device runs. Don't worry if it is just the Error Code that comes up, because that will still be useful to any technicians you might have to call in for help.

Windows 8 included the useful introduction of QR codes to the BSOD. Scan this code with your smartphone’s camera and you will be taken to the support page in your web browser .

Query BSOD Error Codes

Identifying the error codes is just the first part of the process. Next, you must figure out what they mean. In most cases, the code will relate to an issue, or simply point you in the right direction, rather than give you the precise cause.

  • Some errors are harder to diagnose, however. The error code IRQL_not_less_or_equal , for example, usually relates to a hardware fault, such as a corrupted RAM module
  • It can also be triggered by faulty drivers, or even faulty antivirus software
  • Aside from using the QR code, the quickest way to check the error is to type the code into a search engine. It’s best to find the Microsoft Support page for that code first and foremost, before looking at third-party sites that will either try and sell you a quick fix, or get you to try every fix possible
  • The Microsoft support page will be able to explain the error, the circumstances that triggered it, and if there is a fix or workaround to resolve it. The support page should give you step-by-step instructions to follow and guide you on your way to resolving the issue
  • If there are no fixes, or if the page only offers vague information like 'driver issue', it’s time to think back to any recent installations or changes you made to your machine, and if need be, uninstall them.

If the Support Page doesn’t answer your question, you can find a lot more information by looking through the Memory Dump, an error log that’s automatically created whenever Windows encounters an error from which it’s unable to recover.

You’ll find it on the same drive that holds your Windows 11 installation, in a folder called %SystemRoot%\MEMORY. DMP or %SystemRoot%\Minidump .

To open the file, you’ll need an app called WinDbg from the Microsoft Store. We won’t go into detail on how to decipher a memory dump in this article, but if you need to, call in a technical support person or system administrator.

Unfortunately, Windows can only diagnose so far and if it’s still not clear at this stage what the issue is, you might need to ask for outside help. Microsoft has forums for this sort of issue, staffed by the community and Microsoft engineers.

To get the best support, you should try to be as detailed as possible when describing what you were doing when the error occurred and don’t forget to include both the Error Code and Stop Code.

We have a guide on how to access help in Windows , which will give you plenty of pointers.

While it is recommended you follow support options outlined by Microsoft or technicians, options may help you resolve the situation.

If the blue screen error appears before login, and is therefore preventing you from accessing your desktop, you will need to boot into Safe Mode and try again.

You can follow our handy guide on how to boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode .

There are a number of different ways to boot your device into Safe Mode. If you're a Windows 11 user, the process is fairly straightforward and similar to booting Windows 10 in safe mode .

Alternatively, you could use System Restore, but this option does come with some significant drawbacks.

By using System Restore, your device will roll back to a prior point before you encountered the error, meaning you will also lose any recent changes made to files and folders on your PC.

To use system restore:

  • Open the Settings app and click on the System tab
  • Select Recovery and click Go back (if this option is greyed out, it means you do not have a previous point saved)
  • Then, click Next in the Restore system files and settings box
  • From here, you will be able to select the restore point that you want to use

If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still unable to fix the error, you may want to consider factory resetting your Windows 11 PC. 

To do this, go to:

  • Once you’ve reached this menu, you can select the ‘Reset PC’ option

Choosing to reset your PC will delete the C: drive, as well as all files and folders saved to Desktop, Documents, and Downloads.

What is the green screen of death in Windows 11?

If you’re a Windows Insider, the BSOD becomes the green screen of death (GSOD). Not only is the error screen green, but it also features additional information for identifying bugs in the operating system.

When shown the GSOD, it could be that there isn’t an available fix for the specific issue you have due to the build still undergoing beta testing. In this situation, we would suggest heading to the Windows Insider Program hub to find support.

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Chris Merriman has been writing about technology since the 1990s for a variety of titles including Computer Shopper, MSN, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide and The Inquirer, where he broke a number of major tech news stories that were picked up globally.  He has appeared on BBC, Sky News and Al Jazeera and was the resident tech expert at TalkRadio for a number of years. In between times, he has also been a consultant for several major tech firms.

Chris is fascinated by automation and the internet of things, as well as the evolution of the ways we communicate in the digital era. He's also a frequent contributor to ITPro's software guides, including Windows operating systems. Other specialisms include storage, peripherals, and web apps, and any gadget he’s allowed to take apart and fiddle with, preferably after throwing away the box, manual and receipt.

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how to fix pc blue screen error

how to fix pc blue screen error

Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows

Blue Screen errors (also sometimes called black screen errors or STOP code errors) can occur if a serious problem causes Windows to shut down or restart unexpectedly. You might see a message that says, "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer" or a similar message.

Screenshot of Blue Screen error

These errors can be caused by both hardware and software issues. If you added new hardware to your PC before the Blue Screen error, shut down your PC, remove the hardware, and try restarting. If you're having trouble restarting, you can start your PC in safe mode. For more info, see  Start your PC in safe mode in Windows .

You can also try getting the latest updates with Windows Update, help from other sources, or restoring Windows to an earlier point in time.

If none of those steps help to resolve your Blue Screen error, please try the Blue Screen Troubleshooter in the Get Help app:

In Windows, open Get Help .

In the Get Help app, type Troubleshoot BSOD error .

Follow the guided walkthrough in the Get Help app.

Note:  If you're not on a Windows device, you can run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter on your browser by going to Contact Microsoft Support  and typing Troubleshoot BSOD error .  Then follow the guided walkthrough under "Recommended Help".

You can find more information about your specific STOP error code at  Bug Check Code Reference.

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How-To Geek

How to find out why your windows pc crashed or froze.

Computers crash and freeze.

Related Topics

  • [Windows 11/10] Troubleshooting - Resolving System Error Messages or Unresponsiveness (Freeze/Black Screen/White Screen during usage)
  • [Notebook] Laptop Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
  • [Windows 11/10] Troubleshooting - Automatic Shutdown/Restart Issues

A Blue Screen Error will occur if a problem causes your system abnormal or restart unexpectedly due to software or hardware problems. It’s also called BSOD (Blue Screen of Death, as following picture).

how to fix pc blue screen error

There are some reasons that may cause Blue Screen Errors:

  • From Windows packages, such as caused by Windows Update.
  • The compatibility problem between new extended hardware and the computer, or the hardware devices have error. 
  • The compatibility problem between installed software and system.
  • System virus.      Please try the following video and troubleshooting steps to solve your problems.

To provide you more detailed instruction, you can also click ASUS Youtube video link below to know more about How to fix Blue Screen Errors in Windows (BSOD).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXfhvFnUUMA

Please go to the corresponding instruction based on the current Windows operating system on your computer:

Windows 11 operating system

Table of Contents :

Change Intel VMD Controller settings in the BIOS

  • Update and confirm BIOS / Windows packages / drivers with the latest version in your laptop

Run System Diagnosis via MyASUS

Check external peripherals or any hardware devices installed / changed

  • Check recently installed / updated software or applications

Restore the system from restore point

Reset your PC

If during the startup process, you encounter a blue screen error with the stop code 'INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE' , try changing the current Intel VMD Controller settings to another option. (For example, if VMD is currently enabled in the BIOS, try changing it to disabled to see if it resolves the issue.)

Note : If you encounter a different stop code than 'INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE', please proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Note : The BIOS configuration screen may vary depending on the model.

how to fix pc blue screen error

Back to Table of Contents

Update and confirm BIOS / Windows packages / drivers with the latest version in your PC

Updating software usually helps the system stability and optimization, so we recommend you check and often update to the latest version in your PC. Here you can learn more about:

How to update the BIOS version in Windows system

How to use EZ Flash to update the BIOS version

(For desktop products, please refer to  ASUS Motherboard EZ Flash 3 Introduction .)

For executing Windows update and drivers update, here you can learn more about:

How to execute Windows Update

How to update drivers via customer support in MyASUS

If the problem persists after you have updated BIOS/Windows packages/drivers to the date, please continue to the next chapter for troubleshooting.

User can inspect whether the hardware device is good by the Hardware Diagnostic via MyASUS, and run further checking on Blue Screen Error. If any error occurs after diagnosing, we recommend that you visit ASUS repair center to replace the hardware device.

how to fix pc blue screen error

  • If any error occurs, please visit ASUS repair center to replace the hardware device. Here you can learn more about  How to use Customer Support to contact ASUS  for the further repair request.     If no issue found after “Blue screen error” check, it means your hardware devices are good. Please continue the next troubleshooting step.

Sometimes, the external devices connected to your computer can be the cause of Blue Screen Errors, so please try to remove them, such as external hard drives, printers, memory cards, external ODD (if your computer is with internal ODD, please remove CD/DVDs), dongles, etc.  After that, restart your computer. If you don’t experience the issue after restarting your computer, the external device may be the cause of the problem. We recommend that you do not use this device and contact your device manufacturer for support.

If you do not use any external devices or the problem still persists after removing them, please confirm  whether you had ever installed / replaced any hardware devices , such as disk drives (HDD or SSD) or Memory modules. The compatibility problem could be the cause and exist between new hardware devices and ASUS products / system, so please try to remove the hardware device. If you don’t experience the issue after removing the hardware device, we recommend that you do not use this device and contact your device manufacturer for support.

If the problem persists after above steps, please continue the next troubleshooting step.

Check recently installed / updated software or applications 

Some problems may occur after Windows Update or a specific application installed in your computer, including the compatibility issue between applications and system, or Windows core programs may be crashed.

You can  view update history  to check recently installed updated items.

how to fix pc blue screen error

  • You can confirm the installed date and whether you experience Blue Screen Errors after that, and then refer to the following steps to know how to uninstall or go back to the previous version.

Go back to the previous version of Feature Updates      If you experience Blue Screen Errors after installing feature updates in Windows, we recommend that you go back to the previous version and wait for the modification from Microsoft in order to prevent any initial unstable problem. Here you can learn more about  How to go back to the previous version of Windows .     If you cannot go back to the previous version of Windows, we recommend that you restore the system from restore point, here you can learn more about  How to use restore point to restore the system .

Uninstall Quality Windows Updates      If you experience Blue Screen Errors after installing quality updates in Windows, we recommend that you uninstall the update and wait for the modification from Microsoft, please refer to the following steps to know how to uninstall it.

how to fix pc blue screen error

Go back to the previous drivers version      If you experience Blue Screen Errors after updating drivers in Windows, we recommend that you go back to the previous version and wait for the fixed one. Please refer to the following steps to know how to go back to the previous driver version.

how to fix pc blue screen error

Uninstall a specific application

Blue Screen Errors may occur if there is a compatibility issue between an initial installed application and Windows system, so we recommend that you uninstall this application first. Here you can learn more about  How to search or uninstall recently installed applications .

If the problem is gone after uninstalling this application, we recommend that you check the supported Operating System or specification in this application’s official website, or contact the application manufacturer for support.

If the problem happens recently, and if you have ever created a restore point or there is an automatic system restore existed, try to restore the computer to a point before the problem began to resolve the problem. Here you can learn more about  How to use restore point to restore the system .

If the problem persists, please continue to the next chapter for troubleshooting.

If the problem persists after all troubleshooting steps are completed. Please backup your personal files, then reset the PC to back to its original configuration. Here you can learn more about: How to reset the system .

If you still cannot resolve your problem, download MyASUS and try the System Diagnosis for troubleshooting. Click below! 

how to fix pc blue screen error

Windows 10 operating system

how to fix pc blue screen error

  • If any error occurs, please visit ASUS repair center to replace the hardware device. Here you can learn more about How to use Customer Support to contact ASUS for the further repair request.     If no issue found after “Blue screen error” check, it means your hardware devices are good. Please continue the next troubleshooting step.

If you do not use any external devices or the problem still persists after removing them, please confirm whether you had ever installed / replaced any hardware devices , such as disk drives (HDD or SSD) or Memory modules. The compatibility problem could be the cause and exist between new hardware devices and ASUS products / system, so please try to remove the hardware device. If you don’t experience the issue after removing the hardware device, we recommend that you do not use this device and contact your device manufacturer for support.

You can view update history to check recently installed updated items.

how to fix pc blue screen error

Go back to the previous version of Feature Updates      If you experience Blue Screen Errors after installing feature updates in Windows, we recommend that you go back to the previous version and wait for the modification from Microsoft in order to prevent any initial unstable problem. Here you can learn more about How to go back to the previous version of Windows .     If you cannot go back to the previous version of Windows, we recommend that you restore the system from restore point, here you can learn more about How to use restore point to restore the system .      

how to fix pc blue screen error

Blue Screen Errors may occur if there is a compatibility issue between an initial installed application and Windows system, so we recommend that you uninstall this application first. Here you can learn more about How to search or uninstall recently installed applications .

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  • This information may not suitable for all the products from the same category/series. Some of the screen shots and operations could be different from the software versions.
  • ASUS provides the above information for reference only. If you have any questions about the content, please contact the above product vendor directly. Please note that ASUS is not responsible for the content or service provided by the above product vendor.
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5 Ways to Fix the HYPERVISOR_ERROR Blue Screen on Windows 10 & 11

Get this BSOD error fixed with these tips for both Windows 10 and 11.

The Windows blue screen HYPERVISOR_ERROR stop code has plagued many Windows users. If you’ve also run into this error, you’ve come to the right place.

Read on as we detail what a Blue Screen of Death error is and possible fixes to the HYPERVISOR_ERROR on Windows 10 and 11.

What Is a Blue Screen of Death on Windows?

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is an error that makes every Windows user worry about the state of their Windows PC. It’s usually characterized by your PC suddenly crashing to a blue screen with a smiley emoticon and an error code.

Blue Screen of Death

If you’ve recently encountered this error, it indicates that your Windows PC has run into a fatal error and must terminate all programs and services to prevent further damage. Both hardware and software issues can cause Windows to run into a blue screen. It’s possible your PC may have a problem with a malfunctioning RAM or hard drive or may even be overheating.

More commonly, users tend to experience blue screen errors during routine Windows updates or after changes in the system configurations.

Your best bet at uncovering the cause of your PC’s blue screen issue is the error stop code. Standard blue screen error codes include CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED and DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION , and HYPERVISOR_ERROR .

What Is the HYPERVISOR_ERROR Blue Screen Error on Windows 10 and 11?

boy working with a virtualbox virtual machine on a pc

The HYPERVISOR_ERROR stop code indicates an issue with the Hypervisor virtualization software within Windows 10 and 11. The Windows Hypervisor Platform (Hyper-V) allows users to run and manage virtual machines on their Windows PC.

With the help of the Windows Hyper-V feature, you’re able to run Linux distributions via VirtualBox or VMware and even run Android or iOS on Windows.

If you’re facing the Hypervisor BSOD error stop code, there could be an issue with your system’s software configurations. The Hyper-V blue screen is typically caused by faulty Hyper-V settings, problems with your PC’s memory, corrupted data sectors, and even outdated drivers.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of potential fixes to the Hypervisor Blue Screen error. Since there can be multiple causes for the error, we recommend trying out different fixes to help resolve the issue.

How to Fix the Hypervisor Blue Screen Error on Windows 10 and 11

There are several possible fixes to the Hyper-V blue screen error on Windows. You won’t need to install any third-party diagnostic service or troubleshooting program to resolve the blue screen error.

1. Make Sure Hyper-V Is Enabled

It’s possible that Windows Hyper-V may not be correctly configured on your PC, causing it to crash. Restarting the Hyper-V feature can sometimes be the easiest fix to the blue screen error.

Here’s how you can restart Hyper-V on Windows 10 and 11:

  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue box.

enable hyper-v on windows

  • From the Windows Features popup window, scroll to find Hyper-V . If it’s already enabled, uncheck it. If the option is unchecked, select it and press OK .
  • When prompted, allow Windows to restart and let the changes take effect.

2. Use Windows Memory Diagnostics

The Windows Memory Diagnostic program automatically scans your PC’s primary memory (RAM) and detects potential issues. Once detected, the operating system will automatically attempt to resolve the problems.

If the Hyper-V blue screen is caused by a faulty RAM or SSD/HDD, the Windows Memory Diagnostic utility is your best bet to fix it.

To use the Windows Memory Diagnostics tool on Windows 10 and 11:

  • Launch the Start menu, search for Windows Memory Diagnostic , and select the Best match .
  • Once you’ve saved up any open files, select Restart now and check for problems (recommended) .
  • Your Windows PC will then restart and scan the memory modules for any issues. Once the scan is completed, Windows will boot automatically.

3. Restart the Hyper-V Service

The Windows OS relies on background and foreground services to keep your hardware and software in sync and working normally. Issues with the configurations of a Windows service can cause BSOD crashes.

We recommend restarting the Hyper-V Virtualization service to resolve the blue screen error:

restart hyper-v service win11

  • Scroll to find the Hyper-V Virtual Machine Management or Hyper-V Remote Desktop Virtualization service.
  • Right-click the service and select Stop .
  • After a few minutes, right-click the service and select Start .
  • Restart your PC for the changes to take place.

4. Update Your Drivers and Windows

Outdated drivers are the leading cause of blue screen issues. We strongly recommend updating your device drivers to the latest possible versions. It’s common to face the Hyper-V blue screen error if your display drivers, memory controllers, or system devices have an outdated faulty driver.

You can update the device drivers through Device Manager or review our dedicated guide on what drivers are, and why you should update them .

Check for Windows Update

More importantly, you must ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed on your system. Recurring Windows updates can be frustrating, but they help keep your system stable and performing optimally. You can navigate to Settings > Windows Update to install any available updates.

5. Deployment Image Servicing Scan

If your PC has corrupt system files, they can cause the Hyper-V feature to malfunction, causing a blue screen error. If the Windows OS image is corrupted, you should repair it immediately.

While it may sound complicated, all you need to do is run the Deployment Image Servicing Scan through your Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.

Follow the below steps to carry out a Deployment Image Servicing Scan on Windows 10 and 11:

dism scan

  • Enter the following command in your terminal window and press Enter. DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Restart your PC once the scan completes.

Fix the Windows Hyper-V Blue Screen Error

The Windows Hyper-V feature can malfunction and trigger a haunted blue screen of death. You can attempt the potential fixes above to resolve the HYPERVISOR_ERROR stop code. You can also fix potential issues with your hard drive to fix Hypervisor issues on Windows.

XDA Developers

How to fix the dreaded black screen of death on Windows

W hile Windows users are familiar with the infamous Blue Screen of Death, there's a more serious affliction that can be way harder to diagnose and fix — the dreaded Black Screen of Death. To be clear, I'm referring to the black screen that appears after the Windows boot animation has concluded, and you're waiting to see your beloved desktop. However, it never appears. Instead, you're greeted with an empty blackness, with or without your cursor.

This black screen behavior can be caused by a multitude of factors — from corrupted system files and new Windows updates to malware infection and outdated drivers. That's why it can be so hard to pinpoint the exact reason. But, if you run through the following sequence of fixes, moving from the simplest and lowest-maintenance to the most difficult and invasive, you just might manage to revert Windows to its happy state.

1. Restart your computer and the display driver

Yes, turn it off and turn it back on.

Starting with the simplest (and most optimistic) fix, simply restart your PC. In most cases, you'll have to hold down the power button, or the reset button on your PC case, to reboot your system. In the case of a weird, unexplained glitch, a restart might fix the issue, although it's unlikely. The black screen doesn't usually go away that easily.

Next, on the black screen, you can try restarting your display driver by pressing Windows+Ctrl+Shift+B . This method can sometimes bring your display back to life by kick-starting your GPU driver, but to be honest, this has never worked for me. Try it, though, before moving on to the fixes below.

2. Use Startup Repair

Windows troubleshooter's distant cousin.

In cases where Windows fails to start normally or throws up the scary black screen, Startup Repair can sometimes help. In fact, there's a fair chance that it might automatically fix whatever is causing the black screen. To try this method, you'll have to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (RE).

  • Restart your PC and before the Windows boot animation completes, turn it off by holding down the power button. Do this about 3 times until Windows automatically boots into the Advanced Startup screen.
  • On the blue screen (not to worry), select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Close
  • Windows will try to resolve the underlying issue behind the black screen and restart at the end of its troubleshooting. If the black screen still persists, proceed to the next fix.

3. Perform a System Restore

Can't hurt to try it.

System Restore is often derided by the community for being basically pointless. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. It doesn't hurt to try every method at your disposal, especially when it's automated.

  • Boot into the Advanced Startup screen as shown in fix #2.
  • Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  • You should see a list of restore points on the next screen. Choose one that seems right and start the process. Close
  • If System Restore successfully rolls back your system, check whether the black screen is gone. If it's still there, go on to the next fix below.
  • If the rollback doesn't succeed, or if there are no restore points available, the next step is the same: move on the next fix.

4. Fix bad disk sectors with CHKDSK

The chkdsk utility can fix damaged boot files.

Damaged sectors on your disk associated with the boot files can lie behind the black screen error. If Windows can't access the boot files, you're likely to get stuck with a failed boot, triggering the black screen. To use CHKDSK:

  • On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
  • Type the following command to begin a disk check: chkdsk C: /f /r /x
  • Replace "C" with the drive letter containing your Windows installation. CHKDSK can often fix minor issues with your disk, but in a case of serious damage, this method will not work.

5. Fix corrupted system files with SFC and DISM

Bring those corrupted os files back to life.

Corrupted Windows files are one of the most common causes behind the unnerving black screen. By using built-in tools like SFC and DISM, you can fix some common issues with your system files and get rid of the black screen for good.

  • On the Advanced Startup screen again, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
  • Use the following command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow.
  • Once the scan is finished, you'll see a message indicating whether the scan fixed any errors. If errors were fixed, restart your computer and try to boot normally.
  • If the black screen persists, go back to the Recovery Environment and run the following command in the Command Prompt tool: DISM /Image C:\ /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth
  • Next, run the following command: DISM /Image C:\ /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth Close
  • DISM is used to fix more serious issues with your existing Windows image. If you still experience the black screen, move on to the next fix.

6. Rebuild the BCD file

Your boot record might be damaged.

Your Windows drive has a Master Boot Record (MBR) containing the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file, which stores all the necessary data to ensure a proper boot every time you start your PC. Damage to these files can cause a black screen error. Thankfully, you can fix these issues by using the Command Prompt.

  • Similar to the other fixes above, access the Command Prompt on the Advanced Startup screen.
  • bootrec /scanos
  • bootrec /fixmbr
  • bootrec /fixboot
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd Close
  • Restart your computer after successfully running these commands, and check whether the black screen error still persists.

7. Run a malware scan

Catch and destroy any malware infections.

If your system has been infected with malware, causing a black screen error, you'll have to run a malware scan by creating a bootable USB. The bootable version of the malware program will remove any viruses infecting your system files without (hopefully) deleting any files.

  • On another computer, download Kaspersky Rescue Disk and use Rufus to create a bootable USB with the downloaded ISO file.
  • Select the USB drive and the ISO file after launching Rufus, and wait for the process to finish.
  • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI to select the USB drive as the primary boot option.
  • Your system will now boot using the USB drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your Windows drive for viruses.
  • Once the scan is finished, follow the recommended actions as displayed on the screen and then restart your computer. Check whether the malware scan managed to resolve the black screen.

8. Uninstall recent Windows updates

You can never rule out windows updates.

A recent Windows update could also be the cause of a sudden black screen. Fortunately, you can uninstall Windows updates from the Advanced Startup screen and hope that this brings Windows back to life.

  • On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
  • Select Uninstall latest quality update or Uninstall latest feature update. You can start with one of the options and then come back to the other one if the black screen remains.
  • Click Uninstall quality update or Uninstall feature update , as relevant. When the process is finished, restart and check again for the black screen. Close

9. Update drivers and uninstall programs in Safe Mode

Third-party programs and certain drivers can be the culprit.

It's less than likely, but certain driver updates and third-party program installations can sometimes trigger a black screen in Windows. You can boot into Safe Mode to figure out which one is the root cause, and then remove it to resolve the issue.

  • On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
  • Click Restart. On the next screen, press 4 or F4 to restart your PC in Safe Mode . Close
  • If you're able to boot to the desktop successfully, right-click the Windows button, and then click Apps & features .
  • Sort the programs by date, and uninstall the most recent one.
  • Restart normally and check whether the black screen is gone. If not, repeat the process for the other programs (one by one) until the issue is resolved.
  • If uninstalling all the recently installed programs fails to resolve the issue, boot into Safe Mode again, and update your drivers for your GPU and other devices and peripherals.
  • Reboot and see whether this did the trick.

10. Restore BIOS/UEFI defaults

Worth a shot.

If none of these methods gets rid of your black screen issue, you can try reverting your BIOS/UEFI to the default settings. This process can get rid of some misconfigured settings that could prevent your PC from booting normally. If you've made some changes to the BIOS/UEFI recently, this method might be worth trying.

  • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI as shown in fix #7.
  • Look for Load Optimized Defaults or something similar that indicates reverting to default settings. The wording might vary, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
  • Select the applicable option to revert to the default settings, press F10 to save the changes, and restart your computer.
  • Boot normally and check whether the issue still persists.

11. Restore Windows with a system image

Let's hope you have one of these.

At this point, it's probably safe to conclude that your Windows installation has serious damage. Restoring to a previous working copy of Windows is probably the only remaining option outside of completely resetting the PC. You can do this with a backup system image if you created one sometime in the past. Windows has a built-in system imaging utility to help create system images on another disk or drive. Tools like Macrium Reflect can also be used to image your OS partition and store it on a secondary drive in anticipation of a gloomy day like this one.

  • On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery. If you don't see that option, click See more recovery options to find it.
  • Once you've connected the external drive containing your system image, click Select a system image, and follow the on-screen instructions to select the image you want to restore to. Close
  • This process will completely format all the existing partitions on your target disk. Click Next , click Finish , and then click Yes to confirm.
  • The process will take some time and replicate the exact layout and data of your system image on your target drive. Restart your computer once the process is finished.
  • There's virtually no chance that this process won't work. Being one of the last resorts, it completely rewrites your previous Windows installations, removing any underlying software issues that are causing the black screen.

12. Reset the PC

The final "last resort".

Resetting Windows reverts you to factory settings, thereby resolving the error. This method is different from restoring to a system image, as the latter lets you use a replica of an older working copy of Windows. By resetting your PC, on the other hand, you lose your settings, apps, layout, and everything else, and need to start afresh. Note that you don't lose your files, as it's possible to back them up during the process. Proceed with this method only if none of the other methods worked for you.

  • On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
  • Choose Keep my files to retain your files or Remove everything to delete all your personal files in addition to the apps and settings. Close
  • On the next screen, click Reset to begin the process.
  • Your computer will restart, and you'll be able to boot to the desktop normally.

Corrupted Windows and possible hardware failure

Once you've successfully reverted Windows to a working state, you might be interested in preventing the issue from happening again. While Windows corruption can happen to anyone without warning, this problem frequently indicates a failing hard drive or SSD. Check your drive for hardware errors and try replacing it with a new one. We also recommend that you back up your PC to avoid any data loss in such worst-case scenarios.

How to fix the dreaded black screen of death on Windows

ncesc-gaming-faq

Is it normal to have blue screen of death?

The BSOD is usually a result of either hardware communication problems or corrupted files , but the precise cause can be diagnosed via the Windows error code. Most BSOD causes generally aren’t too concerning, unless crashes happen repeatedly.

Is blue screen of death normal?

An occasional BSOD that you never see again could be harmless. However, regular blue screens can be problematic and frustrating because they may indicate a deeper malaise and force you to lose data upon every reboot.

Should I worry about a blue screen?

When Windows senses that something could cause real harm, it stops everything, resulting in the infamous Blue Screen of Death. if it’s happens once, there is nothing to worry. But if they start happening frequently, you’ve got a problem that needs to be addressed. A BSoD can be a symptom of a hardware problem.

How long does it take for a blue screen of death to go away?

How do I fix my blue screen of death? Windows will usually fix this for you automatically. When you see the blue screen of death appear, write down the error code, then wait five minutes. If Windows doesn’t resolve it, look up the error code online and you should see page results that can help you.

Can a blue screen of death fix itself?

When your PC restarts after a blue screen, it goes through an automatic troubleshooting and repair process on its own. However, if Windows can’t repair the issue, you can start to troubleshoot your own. If you can isolate the actual Stop Error number or code, you can search the web for the cause of the exact error.

Blue Screens of Death Explained

Does blue screen damage computer?

Although a BSoD won’t damage your hardware, it can ruin your day. You’re busy working or playing, and suddenly everything stops. You’ll have to reboot the computer, then reload the programs and files you had open, and only after all that get back to work. And you may have to do some of that work over.

How do I fix blue screen?

  • Perform a hard reset.
  • Run a hardware diagnostic test.
  • Disconnect external devices.
  • Boot into safe mode with networking.
  • Run the blue screen troubleshooter using SupportAssist.
  • Repair the missing or corrupted Windows system files.
  • Update the BIOS and drivers.
  • Restore the computer using Windows System Restore.

Does blue screen mean virus?

Does a blue screen mean a virus? As mentioned above, a computer virus or another type of malware can cause a blue screen crash. You can try our free virus and malware scanner in order to remove such unwanted programs. Also, learn about scareware that trick you into thinking you have a BSOD.

Why am I stuck on blue screen?

There are some reasons that may cause Blue Screen Errors: From Windows packages, such as caused by Windows Update. The compatibility problem between new extended hardware and the computer, or the hardware devices have error. The compatibility problem between installed software and system.

Is A green screen better than a blue screen?

A green background has a much higher luminosity than a blue one, making a green screen a better choice for daytime scenes when you want your shots to look bright and well lit. But a blue screen can be handy in scenes where you don’t need so much light.

Is blue screen caused by overheating?

High temperature is the biggest enemy of electronic components, and will cause blue screens, computer crashes, and even damage.

Can blue screen cause anxiety?

The increased energy from blue light can cause stress, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. Studies have also shown that too much screen time may increase the risk of developing depression or anxiety-related disorders.

Can GPU cause blue screen?

A bad GPU can cause you to get a blue screen of death (BSOD) in some cases, especially if you perform some graphics-intensive tasks like playing games or watching movies.

Why is my blue screen of death black?

The black screen error, also known as the BSOD (Black Screen Of Death), happens mostly because of a faulty device driver, a hardware defect, or a Windows software error. It can happen when you are logging in, updating software, or are in the middle of working.

Is Black Screen of Death worse than blue screen?

But the B in BSOD doesn’t always stand for blue. A Black Screen of Death can prove to be more difficult to resolve as it doesn’t display an error message. It’s simply a black screen, often with a movable mouse pointer, but no other Windows features.

Can RAM cause blue screen?

Hardware: Faulty memory (RAM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), motherboard, processor, or a power supply unit (PSU) can all be responsible for the blue screen crashes. Overheating: your computer may display the BSOD if it’s overheating due to dust, defective fans, or overburdened hardware.

Can I force shutdown blue screen?

The only way recover from the Blue Screen of Death is to restart your computer by pressing the Power button for five seconds. This “hard restart” can cause you to lose whatever you were working on. A hard restart like this can also damage your hard disk and shorten the life of your computer.

How do I permanently crash Windows 10?

Go to Start > All Programs > Startup > right click startup folder > Open > drag and drop the Permanent Shutdown file from the desktop to the empty box. Or install software which will crash your PC. Why you’d want to do this I’m not sure?

How to hard reset a PC?

To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.

How to go in Safe Mode?

Press the f4 key for Enable Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. Press the f5 key for Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode with Networking starts Windows in Safe Mode and allows access to the internet and to your network.

How do I know what driver is causing blue screen?

How to determine which driver causes Windows to crash ?

  • Windows Key + R.
  • Type in ‘verifier’ and hit enter.
  • Make sure ‘Create Standard Setting’ is selected and hit next.
  • Click on ‘Select all drivers installed on this computer’ and hit Finish.

Should I manually restart after blue screen?

Does bios cause blue screen.

In some situations, an outdated BIOS could cause a Blue Screen of Death due to certain incompatibilities. Start your PC with essential hardware only. A useful troubleshooting step in many situations, including BSOD issues, is to start your computer with the minimum hardware necessary to run the operating system.

Can my SSD cause blue screen?

Yes. If the SSD is faulty and can’t provide the data that is needed then it can cause windows to blue screen. The blue screen will usually give you an error code. If you put the error code into Google it’ll give you a hint of what might be causing it.

Can a bad GPU damage a PC?

Unfortunately YES. Any defective card, or even a card inserted poorly ,and certainly if a card is inserted while the computer is powered up can short out connection on the motherboard and wipe it out. The essential problem is that the card slots are all wired in parallel in a bus structure.

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Helldivers 2: How to Fix the Black Screen On Startup

Stuck on a black screen after launching Helldivers 2? You are not alone. Here's how to bypass that and reach the main menu.

Helldivers 2 has been a smashing success across all supported platforms, so much so that its servers are finding it hard to accommodate the growing number of players each day. If that seems unbelievable, then know that the cooperative shooter has already passed Destiny 's all-time concurrent player count on PC. The popularity is the same on the side of PlayStation as well, where the sequel has outperformed the likes of Call of Duty and Fortnite .

With hundreds of thousands of players trying to log in at the same time, server-led connection issues are a common sight. The black screen of death, for example, is something most players have started facing on launch in Helldivers 2 following a patch to address crashes . Luckily, there are a few workarounds that you can try.

Helldivers 2 player using salute emote on ship

Helldivers 2's Missing Mode is Money Left on the Table

How to fix the black screen on startup in helldivers 2.

Helldivers 2 Black Screen Error Workaround

The black screen is a technical error that locks you out of the game on start-up. This is believed to be because of an issue with launching Helldivers 2 in fullscreen mode.

When the black screen hits, your game will immediately freeze without giving any audio feedback, leaving you with no choice but to hard exit by pressing Alt+F4 on your keyboard. If you are facing this issue, here is what you can do:

Wait it Out

There is a good chance that the black screen gets removed after a few minutes. All you have to do is wait patiently without switching between your desktop and the game. The waiting period is random, with some players seeing the main menu in as early as 2–3 minutes.

Edit Your Config File

The best way to fix the black screen on startup is to stop Helldivers 2 from launching in fullscreen. Since you cannot access the in-game display settings, you must manually edit the configuration file on your PC.

The "user-settings.config" file can be found inside "C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Arrowhead\Helldivers2" on your system. Make sure to enable the Windows view settings to see all hidden items. Open the config file using Notepad or any text-editing app, and change the fullscreen field from true to false.

You can also just delete the config file to fix the black screen error. That will launch Helldivers 2 in default settings, so you will have to tweak your PC graphics settings all over again.

If you are facing a black screen all the time, remember to exit Helldivers 2 after switching to borderless window mode. This ensures that you do not have to tweak/delete your config file every time.

Verify Your Steam Game Files

There is no harm in verifying your game to fix missing or broken files. This is also one of the last resorts players can rely on when facing launch issues in games. Open your Steam Library and right-click on Helldivers 2 to access the "Properties" option. Head into the "Installed Files" tab to verify the integrity of your game files.

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How to fix Helldivers 2 black screen on startup

With these tips, get rid of the black screen in Helldivers 2 in no time.

16 Feb 2024 8:38 AM +00:00

Helldivers 2 black screen on startup - An image of in-game characters shooting a big bug

If you're experiencing a black screen on startup in Helldivers 2 , take comfort in knowing it's a common problem reported by numerous players.

As a relatively new addition to the gaming world, Helldivers 2, like many other new releases, is not immune to technical difficulties. Among these, the black screen at startup and the "Failed to create lobby" error stand out as a particularly common challenge for players.

In this guide, we will delve into several effective strategies to overcome this hurdle, ensuring you can enjoy your gaming experience with minimal disruption.

To fix Helldivers 2 black screen on startup, manually edit the user_settings.config file to set fullscreen to false , as this player suggested . Additionally, to ensure the game always launches in windowed mode and avoid the black screen issue, you can make the user_settings.config file read-only.

To find the user_settings.config file, navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Arrowhead\Helldivers2 on your PC.   Note that the AppData folder in Windows is hidden by default. To access it, you will need to enable the option to view hidden files and folders.

Another solution is to delete the user_settings.config file altogether. This solution has been widely confirmed by players across Reddit and the Steam Community forums as an effective fix. However, remember that this action will reset your game settings to default, necessitating a reconfiguration to your preferred settings.

An alternate workaround to fix the black screen on startup is to switch the game to borderless windowed mode before closing it. This change has been found to prevent the black screen issue upon the next launch. You can then switch back to fullscreen mode once the game has started without encountering any problems.

To summarise, here are the potential solutions to fix the Helldivers 2 black screen on startup:

  • Edit the user_settings.config file to set fullscreen to false.
  • Delete the user_settings.config file altogether.
  • Switch the game to borderless windowed mode before closing it.

With that, we are wrapping up our guide on the Helldivers 2 black screen on startup. We hope you found our troubleshooting tips effective. Before you head off, make sure you check out our other Helldivers 2 troubleshooting guides on common issues in the game, such as matchmaking not working , multiplayer not working and more.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Gaming page.

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COMMENTS

  1. Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows

    If you added new hardware to your PC before the Blue Screen error, shut down your PC, remove the hardware, and try restarting. If you're having trouble restarting, you can start your PC in safe mode. For more info, see Start your PC in safe mode in Windows.

  2. How to Fix a Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

    How to Fix a Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) | Tom's Hardware Software Operating Systems Windows How to Fix a Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) News By Ed Tittel last updated 3 May...

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    1 Consider your recent actions on the computer. Did you install a piece of software, plug in a new piece of hardware, download custom drivers, or change the settings? If so, the recent change you made is probably the reason for the Blue Screen of Death, so repairing it will depend on that change. 2 See if your computer is unusually hot.

  4. How to troubleshoot and fix Windows 10 blue screen errors

    Desktop access The Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) — also known as "blue screen," "stop error," or "system crash" — could happen after a critical error occurs that Windows 10 is not able...

  5. How to Fix a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

    What Causes It? A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), aka a STOP Error, appears when an issue is so serious that Windows must stop loading. It's usually hardware or driver related; most will show a STOP code to help you figure out the root cause.

  6. How to fix the blue screen of death error in Windows 10

    Knowing how to fix the blue screen of death error is a useful skill to any Windows 10 user, as it will usually keep appearing unless the underlying problem is addressed. Known for its blue splash screen, the infamous "blue screen of death" error halts all critical processes, including networks, platforms, and applications.

  7. How to Fix Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) Errors in Windows

    Published on January 4, 2023 What is the Windows BSoD? The blue screen of death is what you see on your computer screen when the Windows operating system crashes because of a fatal system error that causes it to malfunction and shut down.

  8. 11 Tips to Help You Fix the Windows 10 Blue Screen Error

    1. Note Your Windows Blue Screen Stop Code Since there are so many kinds, it's tough to talk about how to resolve blue screen errors without knowing the specific error you're hitting. Thus, the best place to start with fixing blue screens is by noting the actual problem.

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    Run a memory checker Defective memory - specifically, Random Access Memory, or RAM, could be causing a BSOD, and it's one of several possible culprits if you get frequent, rather than only...

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    In Windows 11, go to "Settings -> System -> Recovery -> Advanced startup.". The corresponding path for Windows 10 is "Settings -> Update & Security -> Recovery -> Advanced startup.". Click "Restart now" to start your Windows PC in Safe Mode. As soon as the PC is in advanced startup mode, click "Troubleshoot.".

  12. How to Fix Windows Blue Screen Errors

    Microsoft Windows Help How to fix Windows blue screen errors Updated: 06/02/2020 by Computer Hope Before fixing a Microsoft Windows blue screen or blue screen of death error (BSoD), you must first identify what error it is, as there are multiple types of blue screen errors. Tip

  13. How to Fix the Most Common Blue Screen Errors on Windows

    The list of solutions includes software-related fixes such as resetting the BIOS, using the Windows Automatic Repair Tool, or the Master Boot Record. In case you believe it's a hardware-related issue, changing the CMOS battery may also help. 5. Memory Management Stop Code.

  14. How to fix the blue screen of death error in Windows 11

    Open the Settings app and click on the System tab. Select Recovery and click Go back (if this option is greyed out, it means you do not have a previous point saved) Then, click Next in the Restore system files and settings box. From here, you will be able to select the restore point that you want to use.

  15. Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows

    In Windows, open Get Help. In the Get Help app, type Troubleshoot BSOD error. Follow the guided walkthrough in the Get Help app. Note: If you're not on a Windows device, you can run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter on your browser by going to Contact Microsoft Support and typing Troubleshoot BSOD error .

  16. How to Fix Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?

    Here's how to run a System File Checker scan using Command Prompt: First, press the Windows key and type "cmd.". Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator.". Select "Yes" or "OK" on any prompts that appear. Then, type sfc /scannow into the Command Prompt dialogue box, hit Enter, and wait for the scan to ...

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  18. How to fix the blue screen of death error (BSOD)

    Here's how to run a scan for hard drive damage: Hit the Windows logo key on your keyboard. Type " Command Prompt " (or cmd) into the System settings search bar. Right-click on the result and select Run as Administrator. If prompted, click yes or OK. In the Command Prompt dialogue window, type chkdsk /r.

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    1. Make Sure Hyper-V Is Enabled It's possible that Windows Hyper-V may not be correctly configured on your PC, causing it to crash. Restarting the Hyper-V feature can sometimes be the easiest fix to the blue screen error. Here's how you can restart Hyper-V on Windows 10 and 11: Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue box.

  21. How to fix the dreaded black screen of death on Windows

    Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore. You should see a list of restore points on the next screen. Choose one that seems right and start the process. Close. If System Restore ...

  22. Is it normal to have blue screen of death?

    How do I fix blue screen? Perform a hard reset. Run a hardware diagnostic test. Disconnect external devices. Boot into safe mode with networking. ... There are some reasons that may cause Blue Screen Errors: From Windows packages, such as caused by Windows Update. The compatibility problem between new extended hardware and the computer, or the ...

  23. How to Fix Kernel Data Inpage Error (Blue Screen)

    Step 1: Open the Windows menu in the left-bottom corner, select cmd or command prompt, and launch it. Step 2: Now type the command "chkdsk" and press enter to start the process. Step 3: When the scan identifies any drive errors, you need to command a new CHKDSK process to start the repair process.

  24. Helldivers 2 Black Screen on Startup: Crash on Launch Fix

    Corrupted or incompatible graphics settings. If your graphics settings in Helldivers 2 are corrupt or incompatible with your hardware, it can cause a black screen on launch. Unfortunately, this is ...

  25. Helldivers 2: How to Fix the Black Screen on Startup

    Make sure to enable the Windows view settings to see all hidden items. Open the config file using Notepad or any text-editing app, and change the fullscreen field from true to false. You can also ...

  26. Helldivers 2 black screen on startup

    To summarise, here are the potential solutions to fix the Helldivers 2 black screen on startup: Edit the user_settings.config file to set fullscreen to false. Delete the user_settings.config file altogether. Switch the game to borderless windowed mode before closing it. With that, we are wrapping up our guide on the Helldivers 2 black screen on ...