The blueish screen of death (BSOD) error is something every Windows user runs into sooner or later. It'southward a frustrating problem, as it's frequently tough to troubleshoot and tin can popular up out of nowhere.

We'll walk y'all through some basic tips on how to fix a blue screen on Windows x (and 11), as well equally provide resources for specific bluish screen mistake codes.

What Is a Blue Screen?

In example you're not certain what a blue screen trouble even is, let's outset review this important Windows term.

What's usually chosen a "bluish screen of death" in Windows 10, Windows xi, and other versions is technically known as a cease mistake or fatal system mistake. This occurs when the operating organisation crashes, meaning that it ran into some issue that prevented it from running safely. When this happens, Windows displays a blue screen with some information about the problem and then restarts.

blue screen

Blue screens can happen for many reasons, which we'll dig into beneath. Common BSOD causes include bad drivers, problems with hardware, and operating system errors.

Newer versions of Windows, similar Windows ten and 11, are more stable than earlier versions, so you hopefully won't run across blue screens also often. You lot should also know that a blue screen occurring in one case isn't necessarily an issue. Sometimes Windows volition freak out with a BSOD, so work perfectly fine after you reboot.

Thus, y'all should only need to dig into the post-obit bluish screen fault fixes if you continually hit a blue screen.

1. Note Your Windows Blue Screen Stop Code

Since there are so many kinds, it's tough to talk about how to resolve blue screen errors without knowing the specific error you're hitting. Thus, the best place to start with fixing blue screens is by noting the actual problem.

In Windows 10 and 11, a BSOD contains a sad face emoticon, along with a uncomplicated error message. Below this, you lot'll meet a link to Microsoft'due south blue screen troubleshooting folio, a QR code, and a Stop Lawmaking field. If you desire, you can scan the QR code with your phone's photographic camera to jump to a Microsoft back up page.

Modern Windows Blue Screen

The most important office is to note the terminate code listed on the folio, which will aid yous narrow your troubleshooting. If you miss the lawmaking initially, follow our guide to retrieving finish codes in Windows 10.

2. Endeavor Specific Troubleshooting for Your Blue Screen Error Code

Now that you know what your specific effect is, you can move towards appropriate blue screen fixes. We've written troubleshooting guides for some of these:

  • How to fix the Critical Process Died stop code
  • Resolving the System Service Exception blue screen
  • A guide to troubleshooting the Retention Management BSOD
  • Fixing an Unexpected Shop Exception stop error in Windows
  • How to resolve Inaccessible Boot Device errors
  • How to fix the Bad System Config Info error
  • How to set up Windows 10 Error Code 0xc00000e

These aren't the only bluish screen errors y'all'll come up across, but they're some of the about common. In case you can't determine your exact error lawmaking, or the troubleshooting in those guides didn't solve your problems, movement onto the beneath more than full general blueish screen error solutions.

3. Review Recent Calculator Changes

Many times, you'll start seeing blue screen errors afterward making a alter to your system. Such changes can introduce problematic elements into an otherwise stable environment. Identifying this can help your troubleshooting.

For example, if you just installed a new printer, try unplugging information technology from your computer to come across if the blue screen persists. If you recently ran a Windows update, head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View Update History.

On the next page with the listing, click Uninstall updates and remove the most recent update to run across if that solves the problem.

Windows 10 Uninstall Updates

The same goes for software. If you started noticing the blue screens later on installing a new plan, try removing the app and see if that fixes your bug.

four. Bank check for Windows and Driver Updates

While bad updates can sometimes introduce bug, oft Microsoft and third-party companies outcome updates to fix issues similar these. Visit Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and apply any awaiting updates, but in instance they hold the ready.

It'south as well important to check your drivers, since they tin can often be a source of Windows 10 blue screens. To exercise this, press Win + Ten (or right-click on the Start button) to open the ability user menu. Then cull Device Manager to open that utility.

Here, check for yellow triangle icons on any entries, which indicate a problem with the commuter. You should double-bank check whatsoever devices that appear with this, every bit yous may demand to reinstall the driver or remove the device.

You tin right-click an entry and choose Update commuter to check for updates, but this isn't always reliable.

Updating Generic USB Hub drivers

Instead, you should visit the manufacturer's website and grab the latest drivers from there. Follow our guide to updating Windows drivers for aid.

5. Run a System Restore

The System Restore feature in Windows allows you to return your system to a previous land. It's a handy troubleshooting tool, as information technology'due south simple to use and lets you encounter if your issue is software-based.

Type recovery into the Start carte du jour and open up the Recovery Control Panel entry that appears. Here, click Open up System Restore to launch the tool. After clicking Next once, y'all'll see a list of restore points you can return to. Select one, so hit Scan for affected programs if you want to see what software will change.

click on choose a different system restore to select a restore point of your choice

Running a System Restore doesn't affect your files, but information technology will uninstall any drivers or software yous've installed since the restore betoken was made. In improver, it will reinstall anything you removed since that fourth dimension.

Confirm your arrangement restore, then you lot can starting time the process. This will accept a few moments, then you'll be back to your organisation similar it was at the time. If yous don't go blue screens after this, your trouble was likely software-related.

six. Scan for Malware

malwarebytes version 4.30 antimalware

Malware can impairment your Windows system files and consequence in a blue screen. You should run a browse for infection to rule out anything like this.

We recommend using Malwarebytes to run a scan. This volition look for all sorts of rogue software and remove it for you. If it finds anything, reboot after the cleaning and run into if your blue screen errors become away.

seven. Test Your Computer Hardware

If you lot haven't figured out why you're getting a blueish screen of expiry, you lot should next bank check your computer's physical components. Sometimes a failing stick of RAM, or another bad component, can result in a blueish screen.

We've shown how to examination your PC for hardware failure. Use those tools to test your organisation and you should supercede anything that you find is faulty.

8. Run an SFC Scan

Running SFC in Command Prompt

Windows includes a command line tool called SFC (System File Checker). Running it checks for damaged Windows system files and attempts to set them. Doing so may solve your blue screen issue.

Again, press Win + X (or right-click on the Start button) to open the power user shortcut bill of fare. Choose Control Prompt (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Windows Terminal (Admin), then type the following:

          sfc /scannow        

Give this some fourth dimension to run, and yous'll see the results before long. If it found and applied any fixes, reboot and see if the blue screen issue stops.

nine. Kicking Into Rubber Style

Depending on the severity of your issue, you may be able to perform all of the higher up troubleshooting steps while working in Windows as usual. However, if you have a major issue, the blue screen errors might forestall you from working normally. In that case, you lot'll demand to kick into safe fashion.

Safe fashion allows you to load a basic Windows configuration with only the essentials that it needs to run. This prevents third-political party apps from interfering with normal operations. If you can work in safety mode without hitting a blue screen, an installed app or service is likely causing the problem.

While in rubber mode, you can run a malware scan, use System Restore, and otherwise troubleshoot every bit we've discussed.

For deeper troubleshooting, you lot can utilize tools that interpret the data Windows dumps afterward information technology crashes to a blue screen. These are typically only for avant-garde users.

Follow our instructions on how to fix blue screen errors with WinDbg and BlueScreenView for help using a few of these tools.

xi. Reinstall Windows

Windows 10 Recovery Refresh

If all else fails, you'll need to reinstall Windows on your calculator. At this betoken, you've ruled out drivers, hardware, malware, and software issues, and then at that place must exist some deeper underlying problem on your organization.

Follow our guide to resetting Windows 10 to larn the all-time style to practise this.

At present You Know How to Solve Blue Screen Errors in Windows ten

Blue screen errors are frustrating to bargain with, especially because they can block you from troubleshooting properly. But after walking through the above tips, y'all know what a blue screen fault is and how to resolve it.

Going forward, it'south smart to sentry for signs that your calculator is nearly to crash, so you tin can hopefully prevent these bug from happening in the kickoff place.