This article shows you how to solve the causes of the appearance of the Windows error blue screen known in jargon with the acronym "BSOD" from the English "Blue Screen of Death". This type of error is usually caused by installing incorrect software, a malfunctioning hardware device, or a misconfiguration. In all of these scenarios the problem can be solved with a little work and patience. In some cases the BSOD screen appears due to a critical operating system or hardware device error. In these circumstances, the solution is to reinstall Windows or ask for support from a service center that specializes in hardware problems.
Steps
Part 1 of 10: General Solutions
Step 1. Review the latest actions you have performed on your computer
Have you installed new software, a new hardware device, or a custom driver? Have you changed your computer configuration settings? If so, it is very likely that recent changes you have made to your computer are the cause of the problem.
Step 2. Check if the operating temperature of the computer is unusually high
If you have been using the system for many hours at the limit of its capabilities (using software that is demanding in terms of hardware resources, for example a modern video game) and your computer does not have adequate cooling or if you live in an area where the weather is particularly hot, the BSOD screen is likely to appear. In this case, first turn off your computer and let it cool and rest for several hours.
Step 3. Run Windows diagnostics for troubleshooting
If this is your first time getting the blue screen error, you can use the Windows "Troubleshoot" feature to find the cause and take the best solution. Follow these instructions:
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Access the menu Start clicking the icon
;
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Click on the item Settings characterized by the following icon
Windowssettings ;
- Choose the option Update and security;
- Access the card Troubleshooting;
- Choose the option Blue screen;
- Push the button Run the troubleshooter;
- Review the proposed solutions and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen.
Step 4. Uninstall unnecessary hardware devices
Items such as USB external memory drives, Ethernet or HDMI cables, game controllers, printers, SD cards and such devices can be safely disconnected from the system without impacting performance. Furthermore, a defect or malfunction of these devices can generate a critical system error and the appearance of the Windows blue screen until the hardware causing the problem is removed.
Normally you can continue to use your computer keyboard and mouse, especially if they are the ones supplied at the time of purchase
Step 5. Wait for the computer to restart
When the blue screen error appears, Windows automatically diagnoses the system looking for the cause of the problem and tries to find the solution. At the end of the procedure the computer will restart. If the machine manages to reboot without further problems and the BSOD screen no longer appears, you can make the necessary changes directly from the desktop.
If the BSOD screen appears again while restarting your computer, take note of the error code to find out the cause of the problem. If the error ID is "0x000000EF", you can jump directly to this section of the article. If not, try starting your computer in "Safe Mode"
Step 6. Run the virus scan
Although this is a very rare scenario, the cause of the problem could be a virus that causes the operating system to think that there is a hardware malfunction of the computer and to display the BSOD screen.
- If antivirus software detects malware or a virus, delete it from your computer immediately.
- If, during the scan, your anti-virus software advises you to change your computer's configuration settings (for example, turn on power management to save battery power), do so and see if the problem goes away. Sometimes the cause of the appearance of the Windows error screen is just an incorrect configuration of the operating system.
Part 2 of 10: Fixing the "Critical Process Died" Error
Step 1. Understand the meaning of this type of error
The "Critical Process Died" error code refers to the scenario in which a critical piece of computer hardware (such as the hard drive) or driver is malfunctioning or has stopped suddenly and without warning.
This error message is nothing serious, but if it appears repeatedly, or if you can't boot your computer properly without the BSOD screen appearing, it can indicate a much more serious problem
Step 2. Make sure the error code is correct
The "Critical Process Died" error is identified by the following ID: "0x000000EF". If the alphanumeric code of the error is different from the one indicated, consult this section of the article.
Step 3. Determine if this is the first time this type of error has occurred
If this is the first time the error message has appeared and you are still able to use the computer, it may mean that it is a minor problem related to loading the drivers. If the error in question occurs two or more times in a short period of time, you will need to identify the problem and fix it.
If the error message continues to appear and you are unable to use the computer, it means that the problem is much more serious and you will need to contact a specialized service center. The cause could be the malfunctioning hard drive or processor, and in this case alone you could do little to fix the problem
Step 4. Enter the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 5. Run the "Command Prompt" as a system administrator
Type the keywords command prompt in the "Start" menu, then select the icon Command Prompt
with the right mouse button and choose the option Run as administrator from the context menu that will appear.
Step 6. Press the Yes button when prompted
The Windows "Command Prompt" window will appear.
Step 7. Run the Windows "System File Checker" program
Type the command sfc / scannow in the "Command Prompt" window and press the Enter key. Windows will start scanning system files for items that are corrupt or incompatible with the current version of the operating system.
Step 8. Wait for the scan to complete
Windows will try to fix any system file problems automatically. When the scan is complete you can continue.
Step 9. Restart your computer
Access the menu Start clicking the icon
select the item Stop characterized by the icon
then choose the option Reboot the system from the menu that will appear.
Step 10. Try starting the Deployment Image Servicing and Management service
If the "Critical Process Died" error message continues to appear, but you are still able to use the computer, try the following:
- Open the "Command Prompt" window again as system administrator;
- Type the command Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / CheckHealth in the "Command Prompt" window and press the Enter key;
- Type the command Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth and press the Enter key;
- Type the command Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth and press the Enter key;
- Wait for the diagnostics to complete, then restart your computer.
Step 11. Take your computer to a specialized service center
If the solution described in this section did not have the desired effect or if you are unable to use the computer due to the constant appearance of the BSOD screen, you should contact a specialized technician who can repair the computer and solve the problem. The "Critical Process Died" error is often generated by a malfunction of the hard disk, processor or RAM memory which must therefore be repaired or replaced.
Part 3 of 10: Troubleshoot Registry Issues
Step 1. Understand what happens at this juncture
If the registry has problems, it means that the computer cannot read or write to its files, which may cause some applications to crash.
Step 2. Wait for the automatic repair procedure to resolve the problem
If the registry problem occurs during the installation of an update, the computer may no longer be able to start correctly. Wait for the automatic troubleshooting steps to repair the registry, then try restarting your computer again.
Step 3. Uninstall and reinstall any program that does not start correctly
This type of error is serious enough to render the computer unusable when a program that is missing a key in the registry is run. Access the list of applications installed on your computer visible in the Windows "Settings" screen, press the "Change" button, then choose the "Repair" option.
Step 4. Run Windows Recovery
In severe cases, the Windows operating system will not be able to boot. In this scenario, use the installation CD / DVD to perform the installation repair. Insert Windows installation media into your computer, choose your language, then select the "Repair your computer" option. For more information on how to create a Windows installation disc, see this article.
Step 5. Reinstall Windows
This solution should be used as a last resort in case all other proposed solutions fail. Use the Windows installation wizard or network connection to restore the device to factory settings. All data stored on the hard drive will be erased, including your files, product keys, applications and browsing history.
Part 4 of 10: Boot the System into Safe Mode
Step 1. Wait for the "Choose an option" screen to appear
If the automatic repair procedure cannot solve the problem the first time you restart your computer, the system will restart a second time and the screen in question will be displayed.
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If you have the option to restart your computer directly from the desktop, follow these instructions: Access the menu Start clicking the icon
choose the option Stop clicking the icon
select the item Reboot the system holding down the ⇧ Shift key.
- If you need to restore a previous version of the operating system, skip to this section of the article directly.
Step 2. Select the Troubleshoot option
It features an icon depicting a wrench and screwdriver.
Step 3. Choose the Advanced Options item
It is one of the options on the "Troubleshooting" screen.
Step 4. Select the Startup Settings option
It features a gear icon on the right side of the page.
Step 5. Press the Restart button
It is located at the bottom right of the page.
Step 6. Press the button
Step 4. to select the "Enable Safe Mode" option
Perform this step within the "Startup Settings" screen. This will automatically restart your computer in "Safe Mode". In this mode, only the essential elements (drivers and programs) for the correct functioning of the Windows operating system are loaded into memory.
Part 5 of 10: Delete the Windows Setup Files
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Type the keywords Disk Cleanup into the "Start" menu
The Windows "Disk Cleanup" program will search your computer.
Step 3. Click the Disk Cleanup icon
It features a small hard drive and a brush. It is displayed at the top of the search results list.
Step 4. Press the System File Cleanup button
It is located in the lower left of the "Disk Cleanup" window.
Step 5. Select all the check buttons in the new window that appeared
This will delete all temporary and unnecessary files on your computer's hard drive. This step may fix the problem that causes the BSOD screen to appear.
Step 6. Press the OK button
It is located in the lower right part of the window. The "Disk Cleanup" program will delete all selected data from your computer.
The deletion process may take several minutes to complete, especially if this is the first time it is done
Part 6 of 10: Update Windows
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Select the "Update and security" item characterized by the icon
It is located in the lower left part of the "Settings" window.
Step 4. Go to the Windows Update tab
It is located in the upper left corner of the window.
Step 5. Press the Check for Updates button
It is located at the top of the page.
Step 6. Wait for all available updates to be installed
After the Windows update process is complete, you will most likely need to restart your computer.
Your system may restart several times during this phase and you may need to activate "Safe Mode" before you can continue
Part 7 of 10: Remove Recently Installed Applications
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Choose the App option
It is one of the icons present in the "Settings" window.
Step 4. Go to the Apps and Features tab
It is located in the upper left of the newly appeared screen.
Step 5. Find the application you recently installed
Any apps you have recently installed will need to be removed from your computer, as they may be the cause of the Windows error blue screen display.
Step 6. Select the name of the app to delete
Some buttons will appear at the bottom of the relevant pane.
Step 7. Press the Uninstall button
It is located in the lower right corner of the application frame under consideration.
Step 8. Confirm your action by pressing the Uninstall button when prompted
It is placed under the app name. This will remove the selected program from your computer. In some cases, you will need to follow specific instructions to complete the uninstallation procedure.
Repeat the above steps to remove all recently installed apps from your computer
Part 8 of 10: Update the Drivers
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Type in the device manager keywords
The Windows "Device Manager" program will search your computer.
Step 3. Click the "Device Manager" icon
It appeared at the top of the results list.
Step 4. Double-click the hardware category containing the device whose drivers you want to update
The chosen category will be expanded showing the complete list of all the elements that belong to it (for example disk drives, printers, video cards, etc.).
Step 5. Select a device
Click the name of the hardware item whose drivers you want to update or have recently installed on your computer.
For example, if you recently installed a new wireless keyboard on your laptop, you will need to select its name after expanding the category Keyboards with a double click of the mouse.
Step 6. Press the "Update Device Driver" button
It features a black rectangular icon and a green up arrow. It is located at the top of the "Device Manager" window.
Step 7. Choose the Automatically search for an updated driver option
It is the first option starting from the top present in the new dialog box that appeared. A search for an updated driver will be performed and the new version will be installed if necessary.
Step 8. Press the Close button when prompted
It is located at the bottom of the current window.
Step 9. Delete the item under consideration
If an updated driver is not available for the selected device, try removing it from your computer to see if the problem causing the BSOD screen is resolved. To delete an item from the "Device Manager" window, click on its name to select it, then press the button with a red icon in the shape of a X placed at the top of the window.
Part 9 of 10: Restore a Previous Version of Windows
Step 1. Restart your computer to be able to access the "Startup Settings" screen
Access the menu Start clicking the icon
choose the option Stop clicking the icon
then select the item Reboot the system holding down the ⇧ Shift key.
Skip this step if the indicated screen is already visible on the screen because the operating system is unable to complete the startup procedure of the computer or because the computer has already been restarted several times without success
Step 2. Select the Troubleshoot option
It features an icon depicting a wrench and screwdriver.
Step 3. Choose the Advanced Options item
It is one of the options on the "Troubleshooting" screen.
Step 4. Select the System Restore option
It is located on the left side of the "Advanced Options" screen.
Step 5. Wait for the computer to complete the restart procedure
This may take several minutes.
Before continuing, you may need to log in with your Windows account
Step 6. Press the Next button
It is located at the bottom of the "System Restore" pop-up window.
Step 7. Choose a restore point
Select one of the restore points in the appearing list that is earlier than today's date (for example, choose a restore point that is earlier than the date the Windows error blue screen first appeared).
- System restore points are typically created automatically after installing a Windows update or program, or before a major hardware change.
- If you have not backed up your computer and there are no restore points inside the window that appeared, try to restore Windows by following these instructions.
Step 8. Press the Next button
Step 9. Press the Finish button
It is located at the bottom of the window. Windows will restore the configuration of your computer based on the backup or restore point chosen.
Step 10. Wait for the system restore to complete
At the end of this step your computer should boot normally and you should be able to use it without any problems.
If the BSOD screen appears again, try using a restore point earlier than the one you selected earlier
Part 10 of 10: Reset Windows
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Select the "Update and security" item characterized by the icon
It is located in the lower left part of the "Settings" window.
Step 4. Go to the Recovery tab
It is listed on the left sidebar of the "Update & Security" screen.
Step 5. Press the Get Started button
It is located within the "Reset your PC" section visible at the top of the page.
Step 6. Choose a recovery option
You will have one of the following items available:
- Keep my files - the operating system will be restored, but all your personal files will be kept inside the computer;
- Remove everything - your computer hard drive will be formatted. If you decide to choose this option, make sure you have backed up all the files and documents you want to keep on an external storage drive.
Step 7. Press the Next button
It is placed inside the pop-up window that appears that warns you of the impossibility of restoring the previous version of Windows (for example Windows 7).
If you have chosen the option Remove everything placed in the previous window, now you will have to select one of the following options: Only remove my personal files or Remove files and clean drives.
Step 8. Press the Reset button
It is located at the bottom of the window. Your computer will be restored based on the choices you made. This step will take a few minutes to hours to complete.
Step 9. Press the Continue button when prompted
You will be redirected directly to the desktop of your user account and the system should work normally.
