Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Troubleshooting

A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) means Windows encountered a critical system error and had to restart to prevent damage. While alarming, these crashes are often caused by faulty drivers, updates, or hardware instability. Follow these steps to identify and fix the root cause.

🧾 Step 1: Note the Error Code

• When the blue screen appears, look for a message such as CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, or DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.
• If it restarts too fast, check Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings → Startup and Recovery and uncheck “Automatically restart”.
• This allows the BSOD message to remain visible next time.

🧰 Step 2: View Crash Logs

• After a crash, open Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System → look for entries marked Critical or Error.
• You can also run:

  Control Panel → Security and Maintenance → Reliability Monitor

• Note the timestamp and any driver or update mentioned.

🔄 Step 3: Check for Recent Changes

• BSODs often follow recent driver or Windows updates.
• Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history.
• If the crashes began right after an update, uninstall it from View update history → Uninstall updates.
• For driver-related issues, open Device Manager, right-click the suspect device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.

⚙️ Step 4: Run System File & Image Repair

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run these commands one by one:

   sfc /scannow
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Restart after completion.

🧠 Step 5: Test Memory & Storage

• Press Win + R → type mdsched.exe → choose Restart now to check for RAM issues.
• Open Command Prompt (Admin) and check disk health:

  chkdsk C: /f

• Alternatively, use CrystalDiskInfo or similar to verify drive health.

🧩 Step 6: Boot in Safe Mode

• Boot into Safe Mode: Shift + Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Enable Safe Mode.
• If crashes stop in Safe Mode, a driver or startup app is the cause.
• Disable nonessential startup apps in Task Manager → Startup apps.

🧱 Step 7: Check Hardware & Overclocking

• Undo any CPU/GPU overclocking from BIOS or vendor software.
• Ensure RAM sticks and GPU are seated properly.
• Use HWMonitor to verify CPU/GPU temps aren’t spiking beyond 85°C.

📦 Step 8: Update Drivers & BIOS

• Use Windows Update or visit your system/motherboard manufacturer’s site for BIOS and chipset updates.
• Update GPU drivers via:
  • NVIDIA: GeForce Experience
  • AMD: Adrenalin Software
  • Intel: Driver & Support Assistant

🧹 Step 9: Scan for Malware

• Malware can corrupt system files and cause blue screens.
• Run Windows Security → Full Scan or use Malwarebytes.

🔁 Step 10: Repair or Reinstall Windows

• If BSODs persist after all fixes, perform a Repair Install using the Windows 11/10 Media Creation Tool.
• This reinstalls Windows while keeping files and apps.
• If corruption or instability continues, back up data and perform a Clean Install.

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