How to Fix Blue Screen of Death on Windows
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a sign that something is wrong with the Windows operating system. Imagine you are focusing on working on your thesis; suddenly, your computer screen turns blue and an error message appears.
This moment can indeed be panic-inducing but don’t worry, you can overcome it! Before that, let’s first understand what BSOD actually is.
Blue Screen of Death is
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), which literally means “blue screen of death,” is an error message that appears when Windows experiences a serious problem that it cannot resolve on its own.
Quoted from Microsoft’s official website, BSOD is a protective measure taken by Windows to prevent further damage to the device. Usually, Windows will suddenly shut down or restart to keep your data safe.
When a BSOD occurs, Windows creates a dump file that records information about what happened before the crash. This file can be very useful for analyzing and finding out the cause of the error.
BSOD is also known by various other terms, such as bug check, stop error, kernel error, or system crash.
The message that appears usually begins with the sentence, “A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.” This is a warning that there is a serious problem that needs attention.
But don’t worry; even though it looks scary, BSOD doesn’t always mean your device is badly damaged. If this blue screen appears only once, you don’t need to worry too much.
However, if it happens repeatedly, it could be a sign of a deeper problem, such as hardware failure, problematic drivers, or incompatible software.
In essence, BSOD is a protective mechanism from Windows to protect your device from further damage. Understanding the cause will help you take the right steps to fix it.
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Causes of Blue Screen of Death
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) can appear due to various problems, both hardware and software.
From the Hardware Side
Some common causes of BSOD on the hardware side include:
- Incompatible drivers: If the hardware drivers are not compatible with the system, this can be a major trigger for BSOD.
- Faulty hardware: A faulty component, such as the hard drive or RAM, can cause a crash.
- Older devices: Devices that are more than 5 years old are prone to issues. Over time, components can start to degrade.
- Concrete examples: If you just installed hardware and didn’t connect it properly, or if the computer has overheated, it can trigger a BSOD.
From the Software Side
From the software side, several factors that can cause BSOD include:
- Bugs in new apps: If you recently installed a program or app that has a bug, that could be the source of the problem.
- Resource-hungry programs: If you’re running an application that requires a lot of system resources, such as a game with high graphics, this can also cause crashes.
- Software incompatibility: Programs that are incompatible with the version of Windows you are using can cause BSODs.
STOP code on BSOD
When a BSOD occurs, Windows usually displays a STOP code that gives a clue as to what caused the problem. After a restart, Windows will attempt to fix the problem automatically. However, if that doesn’t work, you can investigate further by looking at the STOP code.
This STOP code functions as a “hint” in the form of numbers or text to help you understand the problem that has occurred.
If the system successfully detects a problematic file, it will usually be displayed. So, don’t forget to note this code before starting the repair process.
Here are some of the most common STOP codes that appear when a BSOD occurs:
| Stop Code | Mark | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED | 0x000000EF | The result of a GPU error, is often due to the display being overloaded or a corrupted graphics driver. |
| SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED | 0x0000007E | Usually caused by outdated or faulty drivers; try updating or restoring to a previous version. |
| KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED | 0x0000001E | Indicates a malfunction in the kernel process; debugging requires identifying the exception code. |
| VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED | 0x00000117 | The result of a GPU error, often due to the display being overloaded or a corrupted graphics driver. |
| DATA_BUS_ERROR | 0x0000002E | Possibly indicates a system memory error; usually a hardware problem such as incompatibility or corruption. |
| PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA | 0x00000050 | The system process attempted to access an invalid or nonexistent memory address. |
| IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL | 0x0000000A | An operation or software attempted to access more memory than allowed, usually due to pageability or pointer problems. |
| NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM | 0x00000024 | Indicates a problem with the hard drive, usually disk corruption in the NTFS driver file. |
| SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION | 0x0000003B | Identifying the driver or system process that caused the error; debugging requires identifying the exception code. |
| DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION | 0x00000133 | Indicates DPC watchdog is active; may be caused by outdated or incompatible drivers, or corrupted system files. |
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How to Fix the Blue Screen of Death
Here are the steps you can take to resolve BSOD.
Steps to Fix the Blue Screen of Death on Windows
Step 1: Turn off the computer
When the BSOD appears, press and hold the power button to force the computer to shut down. Then, turn your device back on and see if the problem persists.
Step 2: Remove External Devices
Before turning it back on, unplug all additional devices such as USB, printer, or HDMI cables, except the keyboard and mouse. This is important to ensure that the additional devices are not causing the problem.
Step 3: Enter Safe Mode
If the device turns back on, try entering Safe Mode. Here’s how:
- Restart your computer/laptop.
- When the login screen appears, hold the Shift key and select Restart from the power icon.
- After the device restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After restarting once again, select number 5 or press F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.
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Step 4: Remove the Causative Software
In Safe Mode, remember what you were doing before the BSOD occurred. If you have recently installed software, remove it. Here’s how to remove it:
- Open Settings and type “Add or remove programs.”
- Find the suspicious software and click Uninstall.
Step 5: Rollback Driver
Verify if there are any recently updated drivers available. You can roll back to the previous version via Device Manager:
- Open Device Manager by typing “Device Manager” in the search.
- Right-click on the newly updated driver and select Properties.
- On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver if this option is available.
Step 6: Run a Malware Scan
Use your antivirus software to scan and remove any malware that may be on your device.
Step 7: Check for System Damage
Run System File Checker (SFC) and check your hard drive for corrupted system files:
- Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Type the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- After that, to check for hard drive damage, type: chkdsk /r and press Enter.
Step 8: Check RAM
Faulty RAM can also cause BSOD. To run Windows Memory Diagnostic:
- Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in search and open it.
- Select Restart now and check for problems.
- Wait for the scan results; if there are any problems, perform further tests.
Step 9: Restart Computer
After all the steps above, restart your computer once again to see if the BSOD still appears. If not, then the problem is solved!
Step 10: Reinstall Windows (If Necessary)
If all the above steps don’t work, you may need to reinstall Windows. Be sure to back up all important data beforehand, as this process will delete all files.
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Conclusion
BSOD can be a scary thing, but with the right steps, you can overcome this problem easily.
If you are still having trouble, don’t hesitate to contact a professional technician or look for additional guidance in the Windows user community.