How to fix Blue Screen Of Death 'BSOD' Problems on Windows.
The Blue Screen errors (also know as "Blue Screen Of Death" or "BSOD" or "STOP errors") are the most difficult problems to troubleshoot in Windows, because most of the time, BSOD problems occur suddenly, when the system crashes and without any obvious reason (e.g. after a hardware or software change or whenever you try to launch a specific application).
BSOD errors are commonly caused due to hardware malfunctions: a faulty RAM, HDD or VGA, a defective power supply (PSU), or overheating. In the rest cases blue screen problems may be caused by a wrong or corrupted device driver, overclocking issues or malware infections.
This tutorial contains detailed instructions on how to troubleshoot BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) problems.
How to Resolve BSOD problems on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 or Vista.
Important: Before continuing to troubleshoot BSOD problems by following the methods mentioned below:
1. Disconnect all external connected devices from the system (e.g. USB Disk, Flash Disk, Printer, etc.)
2. Ensure that you haven't changed your Software or Hardware: If you have recently changed your hardware on your machine (e.g. you added more RAM, or you have changed the VGA card), or you have installed a new hardware device driver or a new software (e.g. Antivirus), then, probably, this is the reason for the BSOD problem.
3. Ensure that your computer doesn't overheat. Check that your system's hardware temperature (CPU, Memory, GPU) is normal and not overheating. For this task you can use the CPUID HWMonitor utility. If your system is overheating, then clean your computer from dust remaining inside to avoid high temperatures and operational problems. The best way to do this is to use a powerful air blower. Also ensure that the air flow outwards is not prevented.
4. Ensure that your RAM and HDD (hard disk) are healthy: Many times the blue screen problems are caused due to a defective (faulty) Memory (RAM) or Hard Disk. So, proceed and diagnose your system's memory and hard disk for hardware problems by following the instructions on these tutorials:
- How to diagnose your hard drive (HDD) for hardware problems.
- How to diagnose your computer's Memory (RAM) for problems.
Note 1. The methods below can be applied only if you can start Windows "Normally" or in "Safe Mode" or in "Safe Mode with Networking".
– If you faced a BSOD loop and you cannot boot to Windows normally (or in Safe Mode), then the only option you have to troubleshoot the blue screen problem is to use the "System Restore" feature in order to restore your system to a previous working state.
- To launch System Restore:Â
– In Windows 7 & Vista, press the F8 key, to enter to Advanced Boot Options and then choose Repair Your Computer.* Then follow the on screen prompts to restore your computer to an earlier state.
* Suggestion: Before trying the repair option, give it a shot and select the "Last Known Good Configuration" option.
– In Windows 10, 8,1 & 8 : In these editions of Windows, you cannot use the "F8" – Advanced Boot Options – menu, if Windows crash immediately. At this case just try to unplug your computer immediately from the power outlet (if you are a laptop owner remove the battery also) and then power on your computer again. Normally it will boot to repair mode. If not, then you have to boot your computer from a Windows installation (recovery) media in order to restore your computer to a previous working state.
Note 2. If none of the below methods resolve the BSOD problem, you can find additional instructions on this article: How to Resolve BSOD Problems from Blue Screen & MiniDump information.
Common Solutions to fix Blue Screen – BSOD – Problems.
Method 1: Scan your computer for viruses and malware.
Method 2: Perform a Clean Boot of Windows.
Method 3. Use SFC Scannow tool to Repair Windows System Files.
Method 4. Uninstall and re-install essential device drivers.
Method 5. Uninstall the Antivirus/Security Software.
Method 6. Restore Windows to a previous working state.
Other methods to resolve BSOD problems.
Method 1: Scan your computer for viruses and malware to fix BSOD.
Important: Before following the rest of the steps, make sure that your computer is 100% clean from harmful programs like rootkits, malware or viruses. To accomplish this task, follow the steps from this Quick Malware Scan and Removal Guide.
After checking/cleaning your computer from viruses, try to start Windows normally. If the BSOD problem persists, then continue to the next method.
Method 2. Perform a Clean Boot to Resolve BSOD.
The next method to troubleshoot BSOD problems, is to disable all non Microsoft services that run automatically at Windows startup. To do that:
1. Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig to open the System Configuration utility and press Enter.
3. At Services tab check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
4. Press the Disable All button, in order to disable all non Microsoft services starting at Windows Startup.
5. Click OK to apply changes and restart your computer normally.
6. After the restart:
i. If you can work with your computer normally and without BSOD errors, then open the System Configuration utility again and enable one-by-one the disabled services until you find out which one causes the blue screen problem.
ii. If the BSOD problem persists, then continue to the next method.
Method 3. Use SFC Scannow to Repair Windows System Files.
Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to fix Windows corrupted files and services. To do that:
1. Open an Command prompt with Administrative privileges.
- In Windows 7 & Vista, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories. Then right click at Command prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- In Windows 10, 8.1 & 8: Right click at Windows start button and select Command Prompt (Admin)
2. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter.
- SFC /SCANNOW
3. Wait and do not use your computer until SFC tool checks and fixes the corrupted system files or services.
4. When SFC tool finishes, reboot your computer and check if the BSOD problem persists. If yes, then continue to the next method.
Method 4. Uninstall and re-install essential device drivers.
Uninstall and then re-install some essential device drivers on your system, to find out if anyone of them causes the BSOD problem. The device drivers that most of the times cause blue screen problems are the following:
- Display Adapter Driver
- Wireless Adapter Driver
- Ethernet Adapter Driver
To accomplish this task:
1. Uninstall the first device driver from the list above.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Download the latest driver for the device from manufacturer's website. *
4. Restart your computer again.
5. After restart check if your computer is working normally without BSOD errors. If not, then proceed and uninstall the next mentioned driver in the list above.
* Note: In some cases, especially for Video Cards, it is a better to download an older and more stable device driver for your hardware.
- Related article: How to fix "Display Driver Stopped Responding" – BSOD problem.
Method 5. Uninstall the Antivirus/Security software.
Uninstall any security or antivirus software installed on the system. In case that you use Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows 7 or Vista) or Windows Defender (Windows 10 or 8), as your antivirus program, then prevent the corresponding service from starting at Windows startup by using Windows Registry. To do that:
1. Start your computer in Safe mode.
2. Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
3. Type regedit to launch the Windows Registry Editor and click OK.
4. Navigate to the corresponding key according the MS antivirus program you use:
-
Microsoft Essentials
-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MsMpSvc
-
-
Windows Defender
-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend
-
5. At the right pane, double click to open the Start value.
6. Check Decimal and change the value data from 2 to 4 and click OK. *
* Service State possible values:
0 = Boot
1 = System
2 = Automatic
3 = Manual
4 = Disabled
7. Restart your computer and logon to Windows normally.
i. If you can work with your computer normally and without BSOD problems, then reinstall the antivirus software or use another program for your security protection.
- Related article: Best Free Antivirus Programs for Home use.
ii. If the BSOD problem persists, then continue to the next method.
Method 6. Use System Restore to restore Windows to a previous restore point.
At some cases the Blue Screen errors begin to appear after a Windows Update or after an automatic hardware driver update. In these cases the most reliable method to resolve BSOD problems, is to restore your system to a previous working state. To do that:
1. Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. At the "Open" box type rstrui (or rstrui.exe) to launch the System Restore utility and press OK.
3. Press Next at the first screen.
4. Select the recommended restore point or check the Show more restore points option, to choose a different restore point (older) and press Next.
5. Follow the on screen prompts and then wait until Windows restores your computer at the chosen date/time.
6. When the restore process is completed, your system will restart.
7. If the System Restore has completed successfully, then the BSOD problem will probably disappear.
Other methods to resolve BSOD problems.
1. Install all important Windows Updates.
2. Install the latest drivers for all peripheral devices (Printer, Scanner, etc.)
3. Backup your files and perform a clean Windows installation.
4. If you 're a more advanced user and you want to continue the BSOD troubleshooting, then follow the instructions on this article to find out which file, module or driver causes the BSOD Crash Error: How to Resolve Blue Screen Problems by reading BSOD & MiniDump information.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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