How to Fix Blue Screen Errors
Blue screen errors, or blue screen of death (BSOD) errors, are the most severe errors Windows can encounter. Since Windows can not recover from this kernel level error, a blue screen is displayed with the error details. The error details contain a STOP error code, which indicates the type of error.
There are a lot of possible causes for blue screen errors, but most of them relate to the computer hardware. The cause of a BSOD error can be a temperature problem, a timing error, a resource conflict, hardware failure, a corrupt registry, a virus or simply a device incompatibility or driver error.
How to analyze blue screen errors
The first thing to do to analyze a blue screen error is to check the meaning of the STOP error code. You need to stop Windows from rebooting when a STOP error is encountered. Once the blue screen of death is shown, you can check the meaning of the STOP error code. Together with the filename of the driver or module, this will give an indication of the error cause.
Another option to analyze the cause of the blue screen error is to look at the Windows system event log or to debug the memory dump (minidump) that Windows created when the error occurred. The event log can be viewed using the event viewer. Right-click Computer in the Start menu, and then select Manage. In the Computer Management window select Event Viewer. The information in the event log can be of great help to isolate the cause of the blue screen error.
Within the Event Viewer, use the right-hand pane to create a custom view and select a date range or specific event category to nowwor down the events relating to the blue screen error.
Windows can also be configured to create a minidump of the current state when a critical error happens. Reading the minidump requires a bit more technical knowledge, but Microsoft has tools to read the minidump. Read more about how to analyze Windows minidump files if you want to use the crash dump file to find the cause of a Windows stop error.
The most common cause of blue screen errors
In reality, the most common cause of blue screen errors is a device driver problem. Outdated, incorrect or corrupt drivers can cause the system to encounter a STOP error, resulting in the BSOD.
So the easiest way to try and fix a blue screen error is to reinstall and update your system’s device drivers. This will ensure that all driver bugs are fixed and that all hardware has the correct driver.
If you know which device caused the error, you can update or reinstall that driver first. The file name in the blue screen of death can help identify the driver. Look for a file with the .SYS extension and search for that file name.
If you do not have the drivers for all devices, or are not comfortable updating your PC’s drivers manually, you can use a driver update tool to find, download and update all device drivers for you. Such tools will accurately identify your computer hardware, including any device causing an error, and automatically install the latest drivers for it.
In most cases updating or reinstalling drivers will solve your blue screen errors.
Other causes of blue screen errors
However, if updating device drivers does not fix the blue screen error, there are a number of additional things to try:
- Load the default BIOS values – resource conflicts and timing issues can be caused by incorrect BIOS settings.
- Update the BIOS – especially after adding new hardware or installing a Windows service pack this can help fix issues.
- Update Windows – missing updates, including service packs can be a source of stop errors.
- Check your system – run a virus scan after updating your definition files.
- Run a memory test to check your computer’s RAM. Memory faults can easily cause blue screen errors, so see if your RAM is error free. Vista and later Windows versions have a built-in option to test the memory, for XP you can use a program called memtest86.
- Driver rollback – if you have recently updated a driver, you can use the driver rollback to revert back to the previous driver version.
List of STOP Errors Causing BSOD:
- Stop 0x00000003 UNSYNCHRONIZED_ACCESS
- Stop 0x0000000A IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- Stop 0x0000001E KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
- Stop 0x00000023 FAT_FILE_SYSTEM
- Stop 0x00000024 NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
- Stop 0x0000002E DATA_BUS_ERROR
- Stop 0x0000003F NO_MORE_SYSTEM_PTES
- Stop 0x00000044 MULTIPLE_IRP_COMPLETE_REQUESTS
- Stop 0x00000050 PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
- Stop 0x0000006B PROCESS1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
- Stop 0x00000073 CONFIG_LIST_FAILED
- Stop 0x00000074 BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO
- Stop 0x00000076 PROCESS_HAS_LOCKED_PAGES
- Stop 0x00000077 KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR
- Stop 0x00000079 MISMATCHED_HAL
- Stop 0x0000007A KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR
- Stop 0x0000007B INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
- Stop 0x0000007E SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
- Stop 0x0000007F UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
- Stop 0x0000008E KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
- Stop 0x0000009C MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
- Stop 0x0000009F DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
- Stop 0x000000BE ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY
- Stop 0x000000C2 BAD_POOL_CALLER
- Stop 0x000000C4 DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION
- Stop 0x000000CA PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR
- Stop 0x000000CB DRIVER_LEFT_LOCKED_PAGES_IN_PROCESS
- Stop 0x000000CE DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS
- Stop 0x000000D1 DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
- Stop 0x000000D5 DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL
- Stop 0x000000D8 DRIVER_USED_EXCESSIVE_PTES
- Stop 0x000000DA SYSTEM_PTE_MISUSE
- Stop 0x000000EA THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
- Stop 0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
- Stop 0x000000F2 HARDWARE_INTERRUPT_STORM
- Stop 0x000000F4 CRITICAL_OBJECT_TERMINATION
- Stop 0x000000FC ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NOEXECUTE_MEMORY
- Stop 0x000000FE BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER
- Stop 0xC0000218 UNKNOWN_HARD_ERROR
- Stop 0xC000021A STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED
- Stop 0xC0000221 STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
- Stop 0xC0000244 STATUS_AUDIT_FAILED
A complete list of error codes can be found on the Microsoft MSDN website.
Please share your own experiences with blue screen of death errors, including possible solutions. New insights can help others, or maybe we can help you with specific STOP errors.
I am encountering the “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error on my Dell laptop. I read above this is usually a driver problem. I tried both Startup repair and System Restore, to no avail. I don’t THINK any drivers were updated recently. How do I find out? It works in safe mode, but trying to run it in normal mode always gets me a BSOD, which will only remain on the screen for a few seconds before it automatically reboots. I think it’s possible it may have been damaged when I turned it on, immediately went to plug it in but hit power instead on accident, it turned off, then I very quickly turned it back on. That’s when this started. What could I have done? Man I wish I hadn’t done that…. Ever have one of those moments you think “I really, REALLY wish I could go back in time for a minute”. That’s me.
Thanks for the help and for this site!
Natalie
I am having the same problem as frank, unmountable boot volume. I put in the recovery CD and I press R to repair, the computer goes to another screen and it says examining… at the bottom but at that point it just freezes and doesn’t ever start the repair or bring up the prompts. Any suggestions?
@razzal – The .NET framework should not be causing such problems, and the update to 3.5 is also fine. Actually the .NET framework is already integrated with Windows 7.
The HDD should also not cause these errors as long as the necessary drivers are installed for your SATA controller (assuming it is SATA). Seems to me like you had a problem with your startup files, it could even be a bot sector virus.
There is no problem in trying Windows 7, just check the compatibility of your PC hardware first.
@Reneata – Stop error 0x00000024 is indeed a serious error with your hard disk. If your system has no CD< you will also not be able to install Windows again when you insert a new HDD. You have two options:
1) put the HDD in a different computer and repair it there, then put it back.
2) use a bootable external USB disk (or large USB memory stick) with Windows on it and repair the disk after you boot from that.
In either case, start with a simple "chkdsk /r" command.
?Stop 0×00000024 NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM this is my error message ive tried F8 and safe mode and nothign is workign and my laptop has no cd drive so i cant reinstall windows should i replace the hard drive then?
Hi all.
Just received the BSOD with about 3 errors that are;- win32k.sys
ntoskrnl.exe
hal.dll
I’m not sure but i think it all started after i installed sketchup pro. while installing that software, it asked me about installing MS net-frame 2. All went fine, then the next day MS update showed that i should update net-frame to 3 plus some others so i did and letter, bum! i started getting those errors.
I first thought that it might be my new 2tb HDD so i changed it to my old 1tb and installed a fresh new windows xp, while installing the drives for the pc parts i plug in my usb stick to download some drives and as i unplugged the usb stick, i got an other error, so i’m thinking its now not the HDD thats giving the problem but the usb internal card.
What i would really want to know is, can windows 7 over come these errors?
Thanks.
@bevan – If you cannot boot in Safe Mode and the Last Known Good Configuration also does not work, you will need a Windows setup disc or Recovery CD. When you boot from that, you can try to repair or recover Windows.
@kelly – Are you running any Symantec software? If that is the case, stop error 0x00000020 can be caused by the symevent.sys driver file. Please see the Microsoft knowledge base article on that.
@Dav e Van Saun – I am not familiar with that error message. But from the description of your problems, you might want to consider reinstalling Windows XP altogether.
Had a blue screen – got the computer back for a week.
Kept getting Trojan error messages from McAfee.
McAfee asked to do a bunch of checks and updates and asked me to reboot. Ever since I can not get past a blue screen.
It opens the XP Windows page and then goes dark and a blue screen comes up and then the PC turns off and a new Blue screen comes up with fatal error Message oxc0000034. I can not get into safe mode it just bypasses it and attempts a normal boot. All testing done through the f12 log in say that all of my systems Pass. Any ideas?
I’m getting hit with
KERNEL_APC_PENDING_DURING_EXIT
Technical info
STOP: 0x00000020 (0x00000000, 0x0000FFFF, 0x00000001)
It’s fine in safe mode but if I start up normally I get the blue screen after five minutes.
help! Thanks in advance
hi i have the bsod on my pc the windows logo shows and flashes blue for 1 sec and reboots for no reason so i cant read the stop code. Im using my laptop. safe mode dosent work. if it helps my pc is a NTFS file system that has windows xp on it . what caused this was because i downloaded a game rom because im a gamer and it had bsod when i came back. please help if you guys can help.thanks
@George – Stop error 0x000000D1 is a IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error. From the past I know that in most cases this is caused by a driver problem. You are running Windows 7, right? Did you update any drivers?
@Jay – Stop error 0x00000024 is a problem with your NTFS file system. Could be the ntfs.sys, but can just as well be a disk corruption. You will need a recovery disk or Windows setup disk to boot. Then use the recovery console to check the disk. You can use a number of disk commands to check and fix your disk in the recovery console.
Hi
Ive encountered the BSOD and this is the message that comes up:
A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
If this the first time youve seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
Disable or uninstall any anti-virus, disk defragmentation or backup utilities. Check your hard drive configuration, and check for any updated drivers. Run CHKDSK /F to check for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.
Technical information:
*** STOP: 0x00000024 (0x00190203, 0x833D78C8, 0x C0000102, 0x00000000)
That’s all it says on the BSOD. I have tried restarting it on all modes, but it takes me back to this screen. I dont know what to do.
Can anyone please help? Cheers
any 1 kno wat this error means Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057
Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: d1
BCP1: 008611A8
BCP2: 00000005
BCP3: 00000001
BCP4: 9103A6BA
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1
Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump81110-53555-01.dmp
C:\Users\George\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-118545-0.sysdata.xml
@MG – If F8 for Safe Mode still works, you can try running the “SFC /SCANNOW” command at the command prompt. If not, you can indeed use the recovery CD to boot from. Did you try inserting it and restarting the PC? You might need to press a key during boot to make sure the CD is used for booting. Also check if your BIOS is configured to boot from CD first.
@mustafa – Dust can certainly cause temperature problems and result in a blue screen error. But what is the error code?
@Anthony – In Safe Mode you can troubleshoot the problem. Also try running the “SFC /SCANNOW” command to check and repair Windows system files. A check disk is also a good idea, “chkdsk /r”. And have a look at the Device Manager to see if there are any device problems.
@Matthew – The automatic restart is how Windows is configured by default. You can change that in the System option of the Control Panel. If last know good configuration does not work, how about the Safe Mode?
My problem is pretty much the same as Thelma’s. it was fine, i had been on it earlier today, and then i tried to go back on it, and it says that the computer has endured a problem. When i click last know configuration, it looks like it’s going to load, then the BSOD flashes on (not giving chance to see it) then my computer restarts itself. I’m confused.
My pc has the kernal_stack_inpage_error stop error and since then, it only boots up in safe mode. It doesn’t give me the option to boot up normally. How can I resolve this “BSOD” and get everything back on track?
its my first time to encounter BSOD. It display a message talking about any newly installed software or hardware.can you please help me and can dust cause it?
I got the same blue screen virus pls help me with this.This is what it shows me when ever i turn on my toshiba laptop mentioned below:If this is the first time you’ve seen these stop error screen. Restart your computer. If this screen appears again. Follow these steps:
Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.
If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as catching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.
1 day ago
This is what it shows me when i start my window normalyy or whether i use safe mode pls helpp me i am really worried abt this the Stop code is STOP:0x0000007E (0xC0000005, 0x84458963, 0xF7A718AC, 0xf7A715A8)
I also have this recovery cd for this but i don’t know how to boot it
kevin you could try reading a few posts above.
unmountable boot volume is repiared by popping in your windows disk, going to repair windows, and typing in chkdsk c:\ /r and then chkdsk c:\ /f after the /r finishes.
me too i got the same problem.. the blue screen of death code UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME.. What am i suppose to do on how to fix this problem. what are the options that 100%percent fully fix this problem? please give me all 100percent option and advices.. thank you in advance.. i appreciate your advices.
-sorry for my bad english
@Thelma – The only thing left to try is to use the F8 key again, and then try the option “Last Good Known Configuration” instead of the Safe Mode.
If that does not work, you will need a recovery CD or Windows setup CD to boot from and repair Windows.
Alright, I had to hold the F8 key down and it finally got me somewhere. I tried to boot it up in Save Mode, but just when it looks like it’s going to load, it goes back to the BSOD. What do I do now? I don’t know how to get past it and I’ve even tried playing around with it but I get nowhere. I can’t load, unload, delete or do anything because of this blue screen. Windows just won’t load anything for any reason. I’m getting very frustrated with this. What can I do now?
Thanks for you help, by the way.
@frank – You will a Windows Setup or Recovery CD to boot from. Then you can try what Sean suggest, or try the “fixboot” ann “fixmbr” commands.
@Sean – Don’t worry, the comment from rcmichelle is gone already. Although comments are open for everyone to contribute and help, I obviously do check to prevent such comments… ;)
rcmichelle has the wrong answer. i wouldnt trust that site anyway.
unmountable boot volume is repiared by popping in your windows disk, going to repair windows, and typing in chkdsk c:\ /r and then chkdsk c:\ /f after the /r finishes.
frank it turned out that with that error code my hard drive was shot, hence unable to boot. So I had to put a new HD and that’s where I am writing from. Good luck. I lost evrything on my old drive. That’s life.
got blue screen of death … cant get on safe mode … stop code is … 0x000000ED(0x86F70900,0XC0000006,OX00000000,0X00000000)and the error code is …UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME tried to follow ways off the internet but getting nowere !!