How to Fix Computer Crashes, Freezes, and Automatic Restarts with Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

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Frequent computer crashes, freezes, and automatic restarts with the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) can be alarming and disruptive. These issues typically indicate underlying problems with your system, such as hardware failures, driver conflicts, or software malfunctions. Addressing these problems promptly is crucial to maintaining a stable and reliable computing environment. This guide outlines effective solutions to fix computer crashes and BSOD issues, helping you restore your system’s functionality.

Computer crash freezes Auto Restart with BSOD

1. Check for Hardware Issues

Hardware problems, such as faulty RAM or overheating components, can cause crashes and BSOD errors.

  • Run Memory Diagnostic Tool:

    • Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter. Choose “Restart now and check for problems” to start the memory diagnostic. Allow the tool to complete the scan and follow any prompts to fix issues.

  • Check for Overheating:

    • Ensure your computer’s cooling system is functioning properly. Clean any dust from fans and heat sinks, and verify that airflow is unobstructed.

  • Test Hardware Components:

    • If you suspect a specific hardware component, such as the hard drive or graphics card, use diagnostic tools provided by the manufacturer to test the hardware’s health.

2. Update Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to system instability and BSOD errors. Keeping your drivers up-to-date is essential for optimal performance.

  • Update Drivers Automatically:

    • Open Device Manager (Windows + X > Device Manager), right-click on devices with a yellow exclamation mark, and select “Update driver.” Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

  • Manually Update Drivers:

    • Visit the manufacturer’s website for your hardware (e.g., graphics card, motherboard) and download the latest drivers. Install them following the provided instructions.

  • Use Driver Update Tools:

    • Consider using reputable third-party driver update tools to automatically scan and update outdated drivers.

3. Check for Software Conflicts

Conflicting or faulty software can cause system crashes and BSOD errors. Identifying and resolving these conflicts can stabilize your system.

  • Uninstall Recently Installed Software:

    • Go to Settings > “Apps” and uninstall any recently added programs that may be causing issues.

  • Perform a Clean Boot:

    • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. In the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services” and then click “Disable all.” In the “Startup” tab, click “Open Task Manager” and disable startup items. Restart your computer and see if the issue persists. If it resolves, re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.

4. Check for System File Corruption

Corrupted system files can lead to crashes and BSOD errors. Running system repair tools can help fix these issues.

  • Run System File Checker (SFC):

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Windows + X > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)) and run:
      sfc /scannow
    • Wait for the scan to complete and follow any prompts to repair corrupted files.

  • Run Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM):

    • In Command Prompt as Administrator, run:
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    • Allow DISM to complete its process and then rerun the SFC scan if necessary.

5. Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

Inadequate virtual memory can lead to system instability and BSOD errors. Adjusting virtual memory settings may help resolve these issues.

  • Open System Properties:

    • Right-click on “This PC” or “Computer” and select “Properties.” Click on “Advanced system settings” and then go to the “Advanced” tab.

  • Adjust Virtual Memory:

    • In the “Performance” section, click “Settings,” go to the “Advanced” tab, and click “Change” under Virtual Memory. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives,” select your system drive (usually C:), and choose “Custom size.” Set the initial and maximum size to recommended values (e.g., 1.5 times your RAM size for initial and 3 times for maximum). Click “Set” and then “OK.”

  • Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

6. Check for Windows Updates

Missing or outdated Windows updates can cause system instability. Ensuring your system is up-to-date is important for stability and security.

  • Check for Updates:

    • Go to Settings > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update” and click “Check for updates.” Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.

  • Install Optional Updates:

    • In the “Windows Update” section, click on “View optional updates” and install any optional updates, especially those related to drivers.

7. Restore System to Previous State

If the issue started recently, restoring your system to a previous state can help resolve the problem.

  • Use System Restore:
    • Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point before the issue began. Complete the restoration process and restart your computer.

Conclusion

Addressing computer crashes, freezes, and BSOD errors involves a combination of hardware checks, driver updates, software troubleshooting, and system repairs. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you can diagnose and resolve common issues, restoring stability and performance to your Windows 10 system. Regular maintenance, such as keeping drivers and software up-to-date and monitoring system health, can also help prevent these problems from recurring.