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A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error occurs when Windows encounters a critical system error that it cannot resolve. This guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and potentially fix BSOD errors.
Step 1: Identify the Error Code
When a BSOD occurs, it displays an error code (e.g., CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA). Noting this code can help identify the specific issue and determine which troubleshooting steps are most relevant.
Write down the error code displayed on the BSOD screen.
Check Event Viewer for more details after restarting:
Press Win + X > Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System.
Look for errors labeled with a red exclamation mark around the time the BSOD occurred.
Step 2: Check for Recent System Changes
BSODs can often result from recent changes to the system, such as new hardware, driver updates, or software installations.
Uninstall Recent Software: If you recently installed new software or an application, uninstall it to see if the issue persists.
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Select the app > Uninstall.
Disconnect New Hardware: Remove any recently connected external hardware (e.g., USB drives, printers) and see if the BSOD reoccurs.
Step 3: Run Windows Updates
Outdated system files can lead to BSODs, so updating Windows is essential.
Check for Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Install All Pending Updates and restart the computer to apply them.
Step 4: Update Drivers
Drivers manage the communication between hardware and software. Corrupted or outdated drivers are a common cause of BSODs.
Device Manager: Press Win + XÂ > Device Manager.
Identify Devices with Warnings: Look for devices with a yellow warning sign (usually indicates a driver issue).
Update Drivers:
Right-click on the device with a warning > Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
Tip: Visit the manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) for the latest drivers, especially for graphics, network, and chipset drivers.
Step 5: Run Diagnostic Tools
Running diagnostics can help identify specific issues with memory or system files that may be causing the BSOD.
Memory Diagnostic:
Type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the Start menu search bar.
Select Restart now and check for problems.
Windows will check for memory issues and restart automatically.
System File Checker (SFC):
Open Command Prompt as administrator: Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This scans for corrupted system files and attempts to repair them.
DISM Scan:
If SFC doesn’t resolve the issue, try the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management) scan:
In the Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Step 6: Roll Back Recent Updates
Sometimes, recent Windows updates may cause instability and BSODs.
Uninstall Latest Update:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
Identify the most recent update and uninstall it.
Pause Windows Updates Temporarily:
In the Windows Update section, select Pause updates for 7 days to prevent automatic reinstallation until the issue is resolved.
Step 7: Check for Disk Errors
Faulty or corrupted storage drives can also cause BSODs.
Run CHKDSK (Check Disk):
Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
You may need to restart your computer, as CHKDSK runs before Windows loads.
Step 8: Use System Restore
If the BSOD started occurring recently, a System Restore might help roll back your computer to a stable state.
System Restore:
Type System Restore in the Start menu search bar and select Create a restore point.
In the System Properties window, click System Restore… and select a restore point from a date before the BSOD started.
Step 9: Contact IT Support
If the BSOD error persists, it may be due to deeper hardware issues or system corruption.
Log the Errors: Keep a log of the BSOD error codes and steps you've taken.
Contact Emil Genchev Group LTD IT Support for further diagnostics and repairs.
Common BSOD Error Codes and Their Possible Causes
Error Code | Possible Cause |
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED | Corrupted system files, driver issues |
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT | RAM issues, memory corruption |
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL | Driver conflicts, faulty hardware |
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA | RAM issues, faulty drivers, disk errors |
SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED | Incompatible drivers, software conflicts |
