The most common reasons are bad memory (RAM) or unstable drivers, but it can also happen if your computer is too hot, the power supply is weak, system files are broken, or the hard drive is failing.
Most Common BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) Errors
Hundreds of different BSOD errors exist, but some are far more common. We’ve covered the most frequent ones. If you see one of these errors, read further to understand what causes them.
stop code memory managementstop code critical process diedstop code system service exceptionstop code inaccessible boot devicestop code 0xc000021astop code reference by pointerstop code driver power state failurestop code bad system config infostop code kernel security check failurestop code dpc watchdog violationstop code unexpected store exceptionstop code kmode exception not handledstop code machine check exceptionstop code ntfs file system
Boot Windows into Safe Mode (If Needed)
First, check if your Windows is able to start. Sometimes, Windows won’t boot because of a BSOD error. If that’s the case, you’ll need to boot into Safe Mode by following these steps: Remember: If Windows isn’t starting normally, it doesn’t always mean your hardware is broken. It could just be a driver issue.
1. Analyze a Minidump File
A minidump file contains information about why your system crashed. This file can help you find the root cause of a BSOD or Stop Code error by showing you which driver or process caused the issue. It’s better to find the specific corrupted driver rather than uninstalling all of them.
1.1. Configure Minidump File
Windows needs at least a 2 MB paging file on your system drive to create minidump files. Usually, Windows is set up to make these files by default.
1.2. How Do I Read a Minidump File?
To analyze a minidump file, you’ll need a software tool from Microsoft’s Windows Software Development Kit (SDK).
1.3. Uninstall a Corrupted Driver
Once you know which driver is causing the problem, uninstall it:
1.4. Install the Correct Driver
After uninstalling the corrupted driver, you need to reinstall it. If it’s for basic hardware like your keyboard or mouse, Windows should reinstall it automatically when you restart. For graphics cards, audio, or other specialized hardware, visit the manufacturer’s website first to download the latest driver. We suggest always using the manufacturer’s website for drivers to ensure you have the most recent and bug-free version.
2. Use a System Restore Point
If your BSOD is caused by recent software or driver issues, restoring your PC to a previous state can help. System Restore takes a snapshot of your vital system files, drivers, and settings. You must have created a restore point before the problem started.
3. Disconnect Peripherals
Peripheral devices are things like keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, USB storage, and external hard drives. Each needs a driver to work correctly, and if a driver is faulty or not compatible, it can cause a BSOD error.
4. Run System File Checker
System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that checks and repairs corrupted system files.
5. Check for Hardware Problems
Faulty hardware—especially RAM—is a common cause of BSOD errors. Test your RAM by removing and reseating modules one at a time and see if the error stops. Also, disconnect any secondary hard drives. If the issue is still not fixed, it might be time to seek help from a repair shop.
6. Reset Windows Without Losing Data
If nothing else works, you can reset Windows while keeping your personal files. Once reset is complete, the BSOD error should be resolved. If the problem still occurs, it’s likely a serious hardware issue.
