We’ve all felt our stomachs drop in dread as soon as our computer screen turns that all-too-familiar shade of blue.
But what is the formidable Blue Screen of Death (usually abbreviated to BSOD) on Windows devices, why does it happen, and how can we fix it?
What does the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) mean?
The “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD) is the famous error screen that is displayed by a Microsoft Windows operating system when it encounters a critical error from which it cannot recover. It’s not an application crash – it’s a full system failure.
Sometimes you’ll find the Blue Screen of Death referred to as a stop error screen, blue error screen, fatal error, or bugcheck.
When the BSOD appears, it means the error is so severe that the operating system needs to be recovered. At this point, the computer will come to a complete halt and will be useless until it is rebooted.
When was the BSOD first introduced?
The first Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) actually appeared in Windows 1.0, which was released in November 1985. However, the BSOD as it is commonly recognized today became more prominent with the release of Windows 3.0 in 1990.
Windows 3.0 was the first version where the BSOD was used as a mechanism to handle critical system errors, specifically those related to memory management and other severe system failures. It was a preventative measure that was designed to protect the computer against critical hardware failure. The Windows 3.0 version of the BSOD was a text-based screen that provided technical information about the error and helped users or technicians could use to diagnose the problem.
The BSOD became more widely known and infamous with later versions of Windows, particularly Windows 95 and Windows 98, where it became a regular occurrence for many users. The term “Blue Screen of Death” itself became popular around this time, reflecting the disruption these errors caused.
The messaging and overall aesthetic of the BSOD has become softer and friendlier over the years, and from Windows 10 onwards, users have been provided with certain ‘stop codes’ and/or QR codes that can provide more information on the error with a simple lookup in Windows Support. But it has always meant the same thing: it’s time to restart!
BSODs are particularly frustrating because they usually crop up without any warning whatsoever. You’re unlikely to see them coming – but they will almost certainly bring whatever you were working on to a hard stop!
What causes the Blue Screen of Death?
There are several issues with the computer’s software or hardware that can trigger the Blue Screen of Death. Let’s look into these in some more detail.
Hardware failures
A physical problem with your Windows device could prompt it to stop running safely.
Faulty memory (RAM): Broken, corrupt or insufficient RAM modules can cause system instability, resulting in the system ceasing to function until it can correct these issues.
Failing hard drive or SSD: Bad sectors or other issues with storage devices can cause data corruption and trigger a BSOD.
Disk error: If the file system becomes corrupted, it can cause data access issues that lead to a BSOD. Physical damage or wear on a hard drive can result in bad sectors, causing the system to crash when trying to read or write to these areas.
CPU processor error: Overclocking the CPU – ie, increasing the speed at which your hardware components work to perform their calculations – might increase performance temporarily, but lead to a BSOD if the system can’t cope with these new demands.
Power supply issues: If the power supply unit (PSU) is failing or unable to provide sufficient power to the components, the system might not be able to start up properly.
Overheating: If the CPU, GPU, or other components overheat, the system may shut down to prevent damage, resulting in a BSOD.
Graphics processing unit (GPU) malfunctions: The problem could be associated with graphics card; perhaps the driver is out of date, hasn’t been updated correctly, or is incompatible with the system. Overclocked GPUs can also lead you straight to the blue screen scenario.
Hardware usage exceeding limits: Installing new hardware that is incompatible with the system, has been improperly installed, or is just not able to cope with what’s required from the device might trigger a BSOD.
Motherboard BIOS bugs: Running outdated firmware on the motherboard can cause compatibility issues with hardware or operating system updates. Similarly, incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings (for example, incorrect memory timings or voltage settings) might also be to blame.
Defective fans: Make sure the system is free from dust, adequately ventilated and can cool itself without any problems, otherwise a BSOD could be just around the corner.
Software conflicts
These are common causes of Blue Screens of Death, particularly when it comes to:
Incompatible software: Programs that are not compatible with the operating system can cause conflicts. If you find that BSODs keep taking place after new software has been installed, undo the change to see if this stops them from happening.
Malware or viruses: Malicious software can corrupt system files or interfere with critical processes, and both of these issues can overwhelm the OS, resulting in a complete shutdown.
Bugs in the operating system kernel: These can lead to vulnerabilities or corrupted file systems, resulting in a kernel panic that prompts the BSOD.
Conflicting third-party software updates: Security software or firewalls can cause conflicts with the operating system, and any software that modifies system settings or registry entries can contribute to BSODs, too.
Incompatible drivers: Drivers need to be up to date with the computer’s version of Windows. You also need to stay on top of patches and updates to the operating system if you want to avoid the BSOD.
Corrupted system files: Files that have been affected by improper shutdowns or failed updates can lead to a BSOD.
Common BSOD Windows stop codes
Blue Screen of Death stop codes, also known as bug check codes or stop error codes, are hexadecimal codes that indicate the specific error that caused the system to crash.
Each stop code corresponds to a particular issue, such as hardware failures, driver problems, or system file corruption. Understanding these codes can help diagnose and fix the underlying problem.
There are 270 stop codes in total, and most of them are extremely rare. Here’s a quick introduction to the ten codes that Windows users encounter the most:
KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
This stop code indicates that a kernel-mode program generated an exception that the error handler didn’t catch. Check faulty drivers, incompatible hardware, or issues with system services.
NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
This relates to the NTFS file system and usually indicates a problem with the hard drive or SSD, which could be caused by corruption, bad sectors, or issues with disk controllers.
DATA_BUS_ERROR
This is down to a fault with the system’s data bus. The most common cause of a DATA_BUS_ERROR (but not the only one!) is defective RAM. If the memory modules have physical defects or are not functioning correctly, they may cause data corruption.
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
This error usually occurs when a kernel-mode driver, system service, or hardware device tries to access memory with inadequate permissions. Faulty drivers, incompatible hardware, or corrupted system files are usually the culprits.
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
This code appears when the system attempts to access a page of memory that is not present due to faulty RAM, driver issues, or corrupt system files.
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
As its name suggests, this error occurs when a critical system process fails, causing the system to crash and display a blue screen.
SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
This stop code means that a system thread generated an exception that the error handler didn’t catch, usually because of incompatible or faulty drivers, hardware issues, or system service errors.
VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED
This occurs when the graphics driver fails to respond within a specified time, causing Windows to reset the graphics card to recover from the unresponsive state. It’s most frequently caused by driver issues, hardware failures, or an overworked GPU.
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
This error indicates that an exception occurred while executing a system service routine. Turn your attention to any corrupted system files, driver conflicts, or hardware issues that might be the root of the problem.
DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION
In this instance, the Windows DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) watchdog detects a prolonged or stuck DPC routine. It’s often caused by incompatible drivers, SSD firmware issues, or hardware conflicts, particularly those related to storage devices.
How to fix the Blue Screen of Death
Getting a Blue Screen of Death isn’t great news for your device, particularly if your BSODs are happening on a regular basis – but it’s not always the end of the world.
Follow the 10 steps below to uncover the problem and getting your system functioning correctly. (Make sure you write down the stop code, too, as this could help you reach a diagnosis faster.)
- Restart your computer
A simple restart can sometimes resolve temporary issues. Hold down the power button and wait for your device to reboot.
- Boot into Safe Mode
Restart the computer and press F8 (or Shift + F8) during the boot process to access the Advanced Boot Options.
From there, select “Safe Mode.” This will start Windows with minimal drivers and can help you diagnose if the issue is driver- or software-related.
- Update drivers
In Safe Mode, open “Device Manager” (Win + X > “Device Manager”).
Look for any devices with a yellow triangle – which indicates an issue – and update those drivers by right-clicking and selecting “Update driver.” This should resolve any conflicts with outdated or incompatible drivers.
- Run a Windows update
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.”
Installing the latest updates at regular intervals can fix known bugs and compatibility issues, and help to keep BSODs to a minimum.
- Check for malware
Malware can corrupt system files.Run a full system scan using your preferred trusted antivirus program to see if there are any unwanted files that could be wreaking havoc.
- Run System File Checker (SFC)
This tool checks for and repairs corrupted system files.
Go to Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then select Command Prompt from the list. Alternatively, open Command Prompt as an administrator (Win + X > “Command Prompt (Admin)”).
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- Check the hard drive for errors
This simple job could have a huge impact on the smooth-running of your system.
In Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter. You may need to restart the computer.
- Undo Recent Changes
If the BSOD started after installing new software or hardware, uninstall the source of the issue by heading over to Control Panel > Programs and Features. You may need to wait until a newer version of the program or driver is available until it functions correctly.
- Use System Restore
Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore and choose a restore point before the BSOD started. This might help to identify where the issue began.
- Reset or Reinstall Windows
If all else fails and you’re still experiencing persistent issues, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > “Reset this PC,” and choose to keep or remove your files.
If you’ve actioned all the above advice and you’re still getting BSODs, chances are you’re facing a hardware failure, and you’ll need to speak to a professional technician for further guidance.
Does a Blue Screen of Death mean your computer has a virus?
Experiencing a BSOD doesn’t necessarily mean the computer has picked up a virus, but it’s always worth running a scanner to see if any infected malware programs can be removed.
SUPERAntiSpyware’s Professional X Edition is a powerful tool that can detect and remove more than a billion malicious threats to your system. From malware and spyware to trojans, worms, ransomware, parasites, keyloggers and more, our software will seek out any and all of the intrusive files that might be contributing to Blue Screen of Death errors and get rid of them for good.
Professional X Edition can also fix the parts of the OS, registry, and task manager that were previously damaged by malware, saving you the hassle of correcting these issues one by one.
How to change how Windows manages Blue Screen of Death
You can adjust your Windows settings to control how the operating system responds to critical errors, and how much information Windows provides you on what went wrong.
- Adjust recovery settings
Find the System Properties setting in the Advanced System Settings window.
Under the Advanced tab, find the section labeled Startup and Recovery and click Settings.
Look under the System failure section.
Uncheck Automatically restart if you want Windows to stop restarting automatically after a BSOD. This allows you to see the error message on the BSOD.
- Change system failure options
Changing the system failure options will allow you to control how much information is saved following a BSOD.
From the drop-down menu labeled Write debugging information, you can choose what kind of memory dump Windows should create when it encounters a BSOD:
- Small memory dump (256 KB): This stores minimal information and is helpful for diagnosing simple errors.
- Kernel memory dump: This captures the kernel memory at the time of the crash, so is useful for more detailed analysis.
- Complete memory dump: This records all memory at the time of the crash, resulting in a large dataset.
- None: No memory dump is created.
How to prevent BSOD from returning
Not all Blue Screen of Death fixes are straightforward, and many of them can’t be prevented.
But you can reduce the risk of a BSOD occurring in the first place by following these simple steps:
Keep windows updated: Regularly check for and install Windows updates via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Updates often include patches for bugs and security vulnerabilities that could cause system instabilities.
Update device drivers: As mentioned, outdated or incompatible drivers are a common cause of BSODs. Use Device Manager to update drivers, especially for critical components like graphics cards, network adapters, and storage controllers.
Maintain your system regularly: Clean up temporary files, defragment your hard drive (if you’re using HDD), and make good use of built-in tools like Disk Cleanup and Defragment and Optimize Drives. This will help to prevent performance issues.
Utilize antivirus and antimalware tools: Run regular scans with the virus checker of your choice to help prevent infections.
Conduct regular disk maintenance: Use the chkdsk command in Command Prompt to check and repair file system errors on your drives (chkdsk /f /r).
Perform memory checks: Find out if issues with your RAM are causing your BSOD.
Avoid overclocking: Running components at their rated speeds reduces the risk of system instabilities. Consider returning to the default settings on your CPU, GPU or RAM if you notice you’re consistently overclocking them.
Ensure adequate hardware cooling: Overheating can cause hardware failures that lead to BSODs, so keeping components cool with proper ventilation is essential. Use hardware monitoring tools to keep a close eye on your CPU, GPU, and other components’ temperatures.
Use reliable hardware: Make sure that any connected peripherals, such as printers and external drives, are compatible with your system and have up-to-date drivers.
Be mindful with software installations: Only install software from trusted sources and avoid using pirated or cracked software.
Monitor your system logs: Use Event Viewer (eventvwr) to find any errors or warning signs that might signal an impending BSOD. Detecting problems early can help to prevent critical failures.
You’re ready to deal with BSOD issues!
By now, you’ll have everything you need to tackle the Blue Screen of Death head-on.
While it’s important to understand how to react to critical system errors when they arise, prevention is better than cure when it comes to keeping BSODs at bay.
Installing SUPERAntiSpyware on your device will support you in your quest to keep your Windows device free from viruses and performing at its best. Download our Free Edition to get started.