This issue may be caused by both hardware and software-level components. The Kernel is an integral part of the operating system that acts as a bridge between hardware and software. It interacts directly with the hardware, providing an abstraction layer that enhances system stability and software development. It is important to determine whether our problem is due to the hardware or the software. We’ve defined 5 methods to help users identify the root cause of their problem. It is recommended that you perform all these steps since there’s no sure way of knowing otherwise.
1) Failing Hard Drive
The “Kernel Security Check Failure” can be traced back to a failing hard disk drive. If you have a spare hard disk with Windows installed, you may swap it with your existing drive just to be sure. However, Windows offers a few utilities to verify the disk’s integrity without any physical interaction as well:
2) Faulty RAM/Memory
Alongside the hard drive, sometimes faulty memory can lead to this issue. There are two ways of verifying if your memory is bad or not. You can either use your PC with individual DIMMs to pinpoint the faulty stick. This method can save you time if it works, of course. However, this is just a band-aid solution, and the actual way to verify your RAM is by using software known as MemTest86. The downside is that this method is slightly tricky and can take a few hours, depending on your RAM size.
➜ Installation Procedure
➜ Setting Up & Testing
3) Bad Drivers
If we go by definition, a Kernel Security Check Failure occurs when a driver attempts to execute an illegal instruction. Put two and two together, and if you recently updated your drivers, the crashes can be linked to poorly written drivers. We can use the WhoCrashed software utility to identify if the issue is driver-related or not.
4) Viruses/Malware
An overlooked suspect in the “Kernel Security Check Failure” BSOD is viruses. While viruses do not mostly intend to disrupt your evening with an unwanted crash, they may indirectly cause this issue. Hence, it is always a good idea to perform a thorough scan of your computer. You may use Windows Defender or any other antivirus for this purpose.
5) Corrupted Windows
Another cause of this BSOD may be corrupted Windows or Registry files. Many people reported that their BSOD went away as soon as they scanned their Windows installation. There are two ways of doing this; you may either run 2 commands and pray the issue gets resolved. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need to reinstall Windows, which thankfully nowadays doesn’t take long. You also have the option to back up your important files and documents.
➜ Using CMD
➜ Formatting Your Windows
We’ve all been there. Nothing works, and it has to be the operating system’s fault. At this point, either your hardware is faulty, or maybe you need a fresh install of Windows. Let’s learn the different options that Windows provides us to reset our OS: You have the option to retain your personal data and just reinstall the core system files. Likewise, you can go for a complete reset. We recommend you completely reset your Windows to prevent any unforeseen errors. The “Kernel Security Check Failure” BSOD can occur due to poorly written software or faulty hardware. We’ve nailed down the most common suspects on both the software and hardware levels. Most likely, you may have a corrupted Windows installation, a faulty 3rd-party, or even an official driver issue. In case these errors persist after reinstalling Windows, you could be dealing with broken hardware. The RAM is most susceptible in this case, which you may also verify using MemTest86 as shown in our guide. However, if even that does not work, then your CPU, GPU, motherboard, PSU, and almost any component could be faulty. The general rule of thumb in such cases is to find a spare computer and try to swap out each component to see if you can recreate the same BSOD in the other system. This is extremely time-consuming, but it could save you the hassle of creating a new PC from scratch.
