The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a familiar error screen in Windows computers. It appears when the system encounters a critical problem that it cannot resolve on its own, leading to a complete halt.
This screen is not just an alert but a protective measure to prevent further damage to your computer by stopping all operations. Understanding what triggers the BSOD can help in diagnosing and fixing the issue effectively.
Common causes include hardware failures, software conflicts, and problematic drivers. This article looks at a number of ways to deal with and fix the problems that cause the blue screen so that your system functions properly once more.
What is the Blue Screen of Death?
The blue screen of death (BSOD) is a blue error screen that occurs when the Windows operating system crashes due to a significant malfunction. It is sometimes referred to as a bug check, halt error, kernel error, or system failure.
This error screen is shown to prevent any more damage to your computer or its hardware. While the BSOD is visible, your computer usually can’t fix the problem on its own and won’t work until the issue is resolved.
Common Windows Error Codes
A Windows STOP Code is the error code that you are shown when a blue screen of death occurs. You can find the issue, repair it, and prevent it from happening again with the aid of the stop code.
- SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION: This error often lists the specific driver that caused the issue, which can make it easier to solve.
- DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE: This happens when a driver either enters sleep mode unexpectedly or has trouble waking up from it.
- DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION: This error occurs when the system monitor, which checks for unresponsive software, gets overwhelmed and triggers a BSOD.
- VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE: This error is related to the graphics processor. It can happen when the graphics driver isn’t working correctly or the graphics hardware is overloaded.
Causes of Blue Screen of Death
Here are some common reasons why you might see a Blue Screen of Death on your Windows computer:
1: Drivers
These are special files created by hardware makers that help your computer’s parts work well with Windows. A big cause of blue screen errors, about 70% according to Microsoft, comes from issues with these drivers.
2: Software
Sometimes, certain apps or programs don’t work well together, and this mismatch can cause your computer to crash and show a blue screen.
3: Hardware
Problems with the computer’s memory (RAM), hard drive, motherboard, processor, or power supply can all lead to blue screen errors.
4: Overheating
If your computer gets too hot, perhaps because of dust blocking the fans or parts working too hard, it can also show a blue screen.
5: Malware
A blue screen can be caused by malicious software, such as viruses, that corrupt essential files.
Ways to Fix Blue Screen of Death
Following are different ways to fix the blue screen of the death error:
Method 1: Set Up Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a Windows startup option that loads only necessary drivers and system files, minimizing interference while enabling you to troubleshoot and fix problems.
Step 1: Turn off Your Computer: First, shut down your computer completely.
Step 2: Unplug Extra Devices: Disconnect any extra devices like USB drives and printers. These can occasionally result in issues that generate a blue screen.
Step 3: Turn On Your Computer: Power your computer back on. If it starts up without any issues, you can proceed to set it up for Safe Mode.
Step 4: Enter Safe Mode:
- Type msconfig into the Windows key on your keyboard then hit Enter.
- Click on the Boot tab.
- Look for Boot options, select Safe Boot and choose Minimal.
- Click OK and restart your computer. Your PC will start in Safe Mode.
Method 2: Remove newly installed Programs
Programs that may be causing the BSoD can be removed while you’re in Safe Mode. If the blue screen of death first started to occur after you recently installed a new program on your computer, removing that program might be the solution.
For Windows 11:
- On your keyboard, type Settings and hit Enter after pressing the Windows key.
- After selecting Apps, choose Installed Apps.
- To delete an application, scroll to find it, click the three dots next to it, and then choose Uninstall.
For Windows 10:
- Type “Add or remove programs” into the Windows key field and hit Enter.
- Look for the program you think is causing the problem, select it, and click Uninstall.
Method 3: Update you’re Windows
Keeping Windows up to date can help fix errors and improve your computer’s security. Updates include new features, bug fixes, and updates for drivers that might solve problems. To update Windows, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Step 2: Open Settings.
Step 3: Select Update & Security (Windows 11: Windows Update).
Step 4: Follow the instructions on the screen to check for updates and install any available ones.
Method 4: Fix Driver Issues
Updating drivers can make your device run better, but sometimes new updates can cause problems like the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). If you know a particular driver is causing issues, you might need to turn it off or go back to an older version. Here’s how to handle driver problems:
Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Device Manager, and press Enter.
Step 2: Find the device in question, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
Step 3: Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if you want to revert to an older version.
Method 5: Check Your Hard Drive
Your hard drive’s file system can become corrupt and lead to errors and crashes. To check and fix these issues, run a CHKDSK scan:
Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Type chkdsk /f /r in the Command Prompt and press Enter. This will look for and fix file system errors. Restart your computer to start the scan.
Method 6: Utilize Windows Troubleshooting Tools
This built-in feature, often referred to as the fix-it tool, assists in diagnosing and resolving issues causing the blue screen. It’s particularly useful for addressing problems with network adapters, printers, and software compatibility.
For Windows 11:
- Navigate to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and select the appropriate tool from the list.
For Windows 10:
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and pick the necessary troubleshooter.
Method 7: Restart Your Computer
After troubleshooting in Safe Mode, reboot your computer normally to check if the blue screen of death (BSOD) has been resolved.
If it doesn’t reappear, your adjustments may have solved the problem. Gradually reattach external devices and reinstall any programs or drivers you had removed. If the BSOD returns, consider using Windows’ built-in troubleshooting tools.
Method 8: Check Your Computer’s Memory
If your computer is experiencing blue screen errors or slow performance, it could be due to an issue with your RAM. To test your RAM’s condition:
- Press the Windows key, type Windows Memory Diagnostic, and press Enter.
- Choose Restart Now and check for problems (recommended).
Your PC will reboot and run a memory test, displaying the findings when it restarts. You can also review these results later in the Windows Event Viewer.
Conclusion
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a serious error that stops Windows from working to protect your computer from further damage. It can be caused by hardware problems, software conflicts, driver issues, or malware.
By understanding the causes and using solutions like Safe Mode, updating Windows, removing problem programs, or running diagnostic tools, you can fix the issue and prevent it from happening again.
Regular maintenance and keeping your system updated are key to avoiding BSOD errors and ensuring your computer runs smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Blue Screen of Death?
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is an error screen displayed on Windows computers when the system encounters a critical error that it cannot recover from, requiring a reboot. This often indicates system conflicts or hardware issues.
What is the Main Cause of the Blue Screen of Death?
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) occurs when Windows runs into a serious error it can’t fix on its own. This might be due to issues with hardware, conflicts between software, problems with drivers, or corrupted system files.
Is Blue Screen of Death Harmful?
Usually, the Blue Screen of Death itself doesn’t harm your computer.
Can Blue Screen of Death Go Away on its Own?
The BSOD error message indicates that Windows has stopped to prevent further damage to your device or hardware. While the BSOD is displayed, your computer will generally be unusable and won’t be able to fix itself automatically.
How Can I Prevent the Blue Screen of Death?
Regular system maintenance can help prevent BSODs. This includes updating software and drivers, running antivirus scans, checking hardware for issues, and ensuring that your system is not overheating.
