How to Fix Blue Screen of Death Errors on Windows 10

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The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a critical error screen that appears in Windows 10 when the operating system encounters a serious problem that it cannot resolve. BSOD errors are typically accompanied by a stop code, which provides clues about the underlying issue. This guide outlines effective methods to diagnose and fix BSOD errors on Windows 10 to restore your system’s stability.
How to Fix Blue Screen Error on windows 10

1. Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can sometimes clear temporary glitches causing the BSOD error.

  1. Save Your Work: Ensure all your work is saved and close any open applications.
  2. Restart: Click the Start menu, select the power icon, and choose "Restart."

2. Check for Hardware Issues

Faulty hardware components can trigger BSOD errors.

  1. Run Memory Diagnostic Tool: Press Windows + S, type "Windows Memory Diagnostic," and select "Restart now and check for problems." Follow the prompts to complete the diagnostic.
  2. Check Hard Drive Health: Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo to assess the health status of your hard drive. If issues are detected, consider replacing the faulty hardware.

3. Update Device Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can lead to BSOD errors.

  1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager."
  2. Update Drivers: Expand categories such as "Display adapters" and "Network adapters." Right-click on each device and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."
  3. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply any updates.

4. Roll Back or Reinstall Drivers

If updating drivers doesn’t resolve the issue, rolling back or reinstalling may help.

  1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager."
  2. Roll Back Drivers: Right-click on the device, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver" if the option is available.
  3. Reinstall Drivers: If rolling back doesn’t help, right-click on the device, select "Uninstall device," and restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

5. Check for Windows Updates

Installing the latest Windows updates can fix bugs and improve system performance.

  1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Update & Security: Click on "Update & Security."
  3. Check for Updates: Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates. Restart your computer to apply them.

6. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can cause BSOD errors. Use SFC and DISM to repair them.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
  2. Run SFC Command: Enter the following command and press Enter:
    sfc /scannow
  3. Run DISM Command: If SFC finds issues, run the following command to repair the system image:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply repairs.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps identify if background services or startup programs are causing the BSOD error.

  1. Open System Configuration: Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Configure Boot Options: Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all."
  3. Disable Startup Items: Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager." Disable all startup items.
  4. Restart Your Computer: Click "OK" and restart your computer to perform a clean boot.

8. Remove Recently Installed Software or Updates

Newly installed software or updates can cause compatibility issues and trigger BSOD errors.

  1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Apps: Click on "Apps" and review the list of installed applications.
  3. Uninstall Software: Locate and uninstall recently installed software or updates that may be causing the issue.

9. Check for Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can lead to BSOD errors. Running a full system check can help identify and fix these issues.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
  2. Run Check Disk Utility: Enter the following command and press Enter:
    chkdsk /f /r
  3. Schedule Scan: If prompted, type Y to schedule a scan on the next restart and reboot your computer.

10. Restore Your System

If the BSOD errors started recently, restoring your system to a previous state may resolve the issue.

  1. Open System Restore: Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter.
  2. Select a Restore Point: Choose a restore point from before the issue began and follow the prompts to restore your system.

11. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

An outdated BIOS/UEFI firmware can sometimes cause system instability.

  1. Access BIOS/UEFI: Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key (often F2, F10, Del, or Esc) during startup.
  2. Check for Updates: Visit the motherboard or computer manufacturer's website to check for BIOS/UEFI updates and follow their instructions to update.

12. Check for Malware

Malware can cause various system issues, including BSOD errors.

  1. Run Windows Defender: Open Settings by pressing Windows + I, go to "Update & Security," and click on "Windows Security." Click "Virus & threat protection" and select "Quick scan."
  2. Use Third-Party Antivirus: If you have a third-party antivirus program, run a full system scan to detect and remove malware.

13. Reinstall Windows 10

As a last resort, reinstalling Windows 10 can resolve persistent BSOD issues.

  1. Backup Your Data: Ensure all important data is backed up to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Reinstall Windows: Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery." Under "Reset this PC," click "Get started" and choose "Remove everything" to perform a clean installation.

Conclusion

BSOD errors in Windows 10 can be disruptive, but following these solutions can help diagnose and resolve the underlying issues. Regular maintenance, such as keeping drivers updated and running system diagnostics, can help prevent future errors. If the problem persists despite these efforts, consider consulting a professional technician for further assistance.


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