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Troubleshooting BSOD Errors in Windows

The document provides a comprehensive guide on troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors in Windows, detailing common causes, STOP codes, and step-by-step solutions. It includes instructions for disconnecting external devices, performing hard resets, resetting BIOS, running diagnostics, and using SupportAssist for repairs. Additionally, it offers preventive measures to avoid future BSOD occurrences by updating drivers and system files.

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22 views5 pages

Troubleshooting BSOD Errors in Windows

The document provides a comprehensive guide on troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors in Windows, detailing common causes, STOP codes, and step-by-step solutions. It includes instructions for disconnecting external devices, performing hard resets, resetting BIOS, running diagnostics, and using SupportAssist for repairs. Additionally, it offers preventive measures to avoid future BSOD occurrences by updating drivers and system files.

Uploaded by

SANJAY S
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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🏡 / Support Home / Product Support / Support Library / Fix Common Issues on Laptops and Desktops / Blue Screen (BSOD) Errors and Stop Code Issues in Windows

Blue Screen (BSOD) Errors and Stop Code Issues in Windows

What is Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?


Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error happens when Windows encounters a critical error it can’t recover from and forces your computer to restart abruptly. This can be caused by hardware failures, driver conflicts,
corrupt system files, or software problems. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you’ll see a message that says “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” with a STOP code.

What is a STOP Code?


A STOP code is a hexadecimal code displayed on the BSOD screen that helps identify the specific error causing the crash. Examples include 0x0000007E or 0x00000050, and so on.

What causes a BSOD?


Blue Screens (BSODs) often happen from faulty hardware, outdated or corrupt drivers, software that doesn’t get along, viruses, or corrupt system files. Common reasons include faulty memory (RAM), damaged
parts of the hard drive, old drivers, and overheating.

Common BSOD Errors in Windows 11 and Windows 10


When Windows experiences a Blue Screen error, you might see error messages like:

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. STOP Code: 0x00000050.


IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. STOP Code: 0x0000000A.
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION. STOP Code: 0x0000003B.
KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED. STOP Code: 0x0000001E.
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED. STOP Code: 0x000000EF.
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT. STOP Code: 0x0000001A.
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. STOP Code: 0x000000D1.
VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE. STOP Code: 0x00000116.
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE. STOP Code: 0x0000007B.
BAD_POOL_HEADER. STOP Code: 0x00000019.
SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED. STOP Code: 0x0000007E.
BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO. STOP Code: 0x00000074.
WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR. STOP Code: 0x00000124.
UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME. STOP Code: 0x000000ED.
MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION. STOP Code: 0x0000009C.
DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION. STOP Code: 0x00000133.

Check FAQ #1 below to learn what these errors mean. This guide provides common troubleshooting steps for any BSOD or STOP error messages.

Fixing Blue Screen (BSOD) Errors in Windows


If your computer encountered a Blue Screen error, follow these detailed step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. You may also watch this video to help fix your computer if it won't boot.

Step 1: Disconnecting External Devices


Sometimes, faulty external devices can cause Blue Screen errors.
1. Disconnect all external peripherals except your keyboard and mouse (USB drives, printers, external storage, webcams)
2. Restart your computer to test if it boots normally
3. If successful, reconnect devices one at a time to identify any problematic hardware

Step 2: Performing a Hard Reset


Discharging residual electricity can often fix startup problems when your computer won't boot into Windows due to a Blue Screen error.

1. Power off your computer by holding the power button until shutdown
2. Disconnect the power source - unplug the power cable or remove the battery (laptops with removable batteries only)
3. Press and hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to discharge residual power
4. Reconnect power and turn on your computer
5. Check if the system boots properly

Step 3: Resetting BIOS or UEFI to Default Settings


If your computer has Blue Screen errors, it might be because of wrong BIOS settings. You can try fixing this by resetting the BIOS or UEFI settings to their original defaults.

1. Restart your computer and press F2 repeatedly during startup


2. Locate the reset option - typically labeled "Load Defaults," "Restore Settings," or "Reset to Default"
3. Apply the reset and save changes
4. Exit BIOS and allow the system to restart

Can't find the same options in BIOS? Check your computer's user manual for BIOS or UEFI navigation.

Step 4: Running Dell Diagnostics


SupportAssist can check your computer’s hard drive and other parts to find out what’s causing Blue Screen errors.
1. Restart your computer and press F12 repeatedly during startup
2. Select "Diagnostics" from the boot menu
3. Run SupportAssist Pre Boot System Assessment - this comprehensive test checks your hardware components
4. Record any error codes if the diagnostic fails (you'll need these for technical support) make a note of the error code, validation code, Service Tag, and then look up the error code
5. If diagnostics pass, proceed to the next troubleshooting step

Step 5: Running SupportAssist Blue Screen Troubleshooter


Use SupportAssist to run an automated repair. It will scan your computer to check for hardware problems and find driver updates that can help prevent future issues. If your computer cannot boot into Windows,
go to the next step.
1. Search for and open SupportAssist, then go to the Support tab.
2. Under View Common Issues, select Get Started.
3. Under My PC stopped responding or restarted unexpectedly, choose Fix my PC.
4. Click the Fix now button to let SupportAssist scan your computer and run an automated repair.
Step 6: Repairing Windows Startup Files
If your computer shows a Blue Screen (BSOD) and won't start Windows, try using Windows Startup Repair. It might fix the problem and help your computer start up again.
1. Force shutdown by holding the power button
2. Create a boot interruption sequence: Turn on your computer, and when the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to force shutdown. Repeat this process twice more.
3. Access Windows Recovery Environment: On the third startup attempt, allow the system to boot fully into the Automatic Repair screen
4. Select "Advanced Options"
5. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair
6. Complete the repair process following on-screen instructions

If BitLocker encryption is enabled, you'll need your recovery key, available at [Link] under Devices.

Step 7: Repairing Windows Using SupportAssist OS Recovery


Sometimes corrupted system files can cause Blue Screen (BSOD) errors. Software repair automatically runs a conditional two-step process to find and fix boot issues. If SupportAssist is not available, try some
additional steps to fix common Blue Screen errors.

1. Restart your computer and press F12 during startup


2. Select "SupportAssist OS Recovery" from the boot menu
3. Choose "Repair" from the software repair options
4. Enter BitLocker recovery key if prompted
5. Select "Start Repair" and monitor the progress
6. Restart after completion

If your computer still won't start Windows after using the repair option in SupportAssist OS Recovery, try these additional steps to fix common Blue Screen errors.

Preventive Measures (When Windows Boots Successfully)


If your computer boots into Windows at any point, follow these steps to prevent blue screen (BSOD) errors:

Updating BIOS and Drivers


Outdated drivers or BIOS can cause boot problems. Updating drivers and BIOS ensure compatibility with the latest operating system updates and fixes known issues. SupportAssist is Dell's automated tool that
scans your Windows computer for driver and firmware updates, downloads, and installs them.

1. Search for SupportAssist in the Start menu and open the app.
2. On the Home tab, select Update software.
3. Select Start to check for driver and BIOS updates.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation and restart your computer if prompted.

If you don't have SupportAssist, refer to our driver update guide for alternative methods to download and install Dell drivers.

Checking for Software Updates


Keep your operating system and applications up to date to benefit from bug fixes and performance enhancements. To update Windows:
1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and then click Check for updates and install any available updates. Open Windows Update settings.
Repairing Windows System Files
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool checks and repairs Windows system files. Let's run the restore health command to repair any corrupt system files.

1. Press Windows key + X to open the Power User menu.


2. Click Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow administrative access.
4. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Wait for the scan to complete (this may take 10-30 minutes depending on your system).
6. When complete, you'll see a message indicating whether any issues were found and repaired.
7. Restart the computer.

Note: Make sure you have an active internet connection during this process, as DISM may need to download files from Microsoft's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Here are some frequently asked questions about Blue Screen or BSOD errors on Windows computers.

1. What are some common Blue Screen (BSOD) errors?

2. How do I find out what caused the BSOD?

3. How do I use Event Viewer to troubleshoot a BSOD?

4. What is a minidump file?

5. How do I update my drivers to prevent BSODs?

6. How do I disable automatic restart on a BSOD?

7. What should I do if my computer keeps getting BSODs?

8. Can a BSOD damage my computer?

9. Can overheating cause a BSOD?

10. Can a BSOD be caused by a software update?

11. How do I resolve "INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE" error?

12. What is the difference between a BSOD and a system freeze?

13. How do I perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a BSOD?

14. Should I reinstall Windows if BSODs persist?

15. What if none of the troubleshooting steps work?


Video Resources

Load BIOS to defaults

This guide provides steps for resetting BIOS to default settings on a Dell computer. It emphasizes the importa ... View More

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Common questions

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To troubleshoot and resolve a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error on a Dell computer, follow these steps: 1) Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard and mouse, then restart the computer to check for normal booting . 2) Perform a hard reset to discharge residual electricity by powering off the computer, disconnecting the power source, and holding the power button for 15-20 seconds . 3) Reset BIOS or UEFI settings to default by restarting the computer and using the F2 key during startup to access and reset the BIOS settings . 4) Run Dell Diagnostics by pressing F12 during startup and selecting 'Diagnostics' to perform a comprehensive hardware check using SupportAssist . 5) Use SupportAssist Blue Screen Troubleshooter to scan and repair hardware problems and update drivers . 6) Run Windows Startup Repair if the system won't boot into Windows, by accessing the Windows Recovery Environment and using the Startup Repair feature . 7) Perform a software repair using SupportAssist OS Recovery if standard troubleshooting steps fail .

Preventive measures after successfully booting into Windows include updating the BIOS and drivers using tools like Dell’s SupportAssist, regularly checking for software and OS updates to fix bugs and enhance performance, and performing routine system file checks and repairs with the DISM tool to address any corruption issues and maintain system stability .

STOP codes are critical in diagnosing the specific error causing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) as they are hexadecimal codes that help identify the root cause of the system crash. Each STOP code corresponds to a particular type of error, such as a device driver issue or hardware malfunction, and guides the troubleshooting process by narrowing down possible solutions to address the underlying problem .

Hardware issues that can potentially lead to a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) include faulty memory (RAM), damaged hard drive components, external device conflicts, and overheating. These issues can cause system instability and result in a BSOD as Windows fails to operate under normal conditions .

SupportAssist can facilitate the troubleshooting and repair process of BSOD errors by automatically scanning for hardware problems, updating drivers, and running automated repairs. It provides detailed diagnostics and troubleshooting guides, which can help identify and fix underlying issues efficiently, preventing error recurrence .

Overheating can lead to Blue Screen errors by causing components to operate outside their safe temperature range, which can damage hardware and disrupt normal operations. Strategies to mitigate this issue include ensuring proper ventilation, using cooling pads for laptops, regularly cleaning fans and vents to prevent dust buildup, and monitoring system temperatures using software tools to prevent overheating .

The Windows Startup Repair tool plays a crucial role in resolving boot issues caused by Blue Screen errors by diagnosing and fixing problems that prevent Windows from starting. It automates the process of identifying corrupted system files or boot configuration data that might be causing the boot failure, allowing the system to repair itself and boot successfully into Windows .

A user can utilize the BIOS reset function to address BSOD issues related to incorrect BIOS settings by restarting the computer and pressing the F2 key during startup to enter the BIOS menu. They should then locate and select the option labeled 'Load Defaults' or similar, to reset the BIOS settings to their original defaults, which can resolve misconfigurations causing BSOD errors .

If a Blue Screen error persists after all recommended troubleshooting steps, further action includes performing a clean boot to identify software conflicts, using Event Viewer to analyze error logs, updating all system and software components, and if necessary, reinstalling Windows as a last resort to ensure all corrupted or problematic files are replaced, providing a fresh installation of the operating system .

Yes, updating drivers and BIOS can prevent future BSOD errors. Outdated drivers or BIOS versions may not be compatible with the latest operating system updates, leading to conflicts and instability that can cause BSODs. By ensuring drivers and BIOS are up to date, compatibility is maintained, and known issues are resolved, reducing the likelihood of BSOD occurrences .

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