Introduction
A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error, also known as a ‘stop error’, is an error screen displayed on Windows computers after a fatal system error causes the system to crash. BSOD errors can be frustrating and worrying for users when they suddenly appear, often with obscure technical information that makes the cause unclear. However, with some basic troubleshooting, it’s often possible to identify and resolve the issue. In this guide, I’ll walk through the common causes of BSODs and steps you can take to troubleshoot and hopefully fix these errors on your Windows PC.
Identifying the Error Code
The first step in troubleshooting a BSOD is to identify the specific error code. The BSOD screen will display a short error name, as well as a hexadecimal stop code. For example, you may see STOP 0x0000007B or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. Make a note of the full error code. This code can be useful for looking up details about that specific BSOD error, which may point you towards a solution.
Check for Hardware Issues
Hardware problems are one of the most common causes of the Blue Screen of Death. Issues like bad RAM, a failing hard drive, faulty CPU, overheating, or graphics card problems can all trigger a BSOD.
Check inside your PC and make sure all components and connections appear intact and properly attached. If you recently made a hardware change, that new component could be causing conflicts. Remove it and see if BSODs persist.
Run hardware diagnostics to check for issues. Use built-in Windows tools like Windows Memory Diagnostics for RAM tests. Check hard drives using CHKDSK. If you suspect the CPU or GPU, try stress testing with Prime95 and Furmark.
If you have any defective hardware, you’ll likely need to replace it to permanently resolve the BSOD problem.
Check for Driver Issues
Outdated, missing or corrupted drivers are another prime suspect for BSODs. Using a driver verifier can help identify bad drivers causing crashes.
You can also try uninstalling recently added device drivers that may be causing conflicts. Roll back any updated drivers to previous versions if issues occurred after updating.
Make sure you have the latest drivers directly from the device manufacturer (not through Windows update). Update any outdated drivers and see if it stabilizes your system.
Analyze Software and Logs
Take a close look at what programs were running during the BSOD crash. Troublesome software and services may be triggering the error. Check event viewer system logs after a crash – these can reveal the process name executing at the time of the BSOD.
Try disabling or removing any new or suspicious programs, especially device drivers, system services, antivirus programs and system optimization software. These types of programs tend to cause software conflicts and BSODs if they are faulty.
Updating or reinstalling applications can also resolve software-related BSODs sometimes. Make sure your applications, operating system and firmware are fully up to date.
Repair System Files
Corrupted system files or operating system errors can sometimes trigger BSOD crashes. Using System File Checker can scan Windows files and replace corrupted files that may be causing crashes.
If system file problems persist, you may need to repair or reinstall Windows entirely to fix underlying OS issues. Back up your data first, then try options like startup repair, system restore or resetting Windows to factory settings.
Stress Test Your PC
After applying any troubleshooting steps, stress test your system to check for stability. Use Prime95 to stress CPU, Furmark for GPU, and general system stress testing tools like AIDA64 to see if crashes still occur.
If your system blue screens or freezes during stress testing, it’s a sign hardware problems still exist and require further diagnosis. But if you can stress test without any issues, that’s a good confirmation your BSOD troubles have likely been resolved.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting steps and BSODs keep occurring, it may be time to seek help from a professional PC technician. They can use diagnostic tools and experience to pinpoint hardware, driver and software issues that may be evading your efforts.
BSOD errors can be tricky to decipher, but being methodical in applying these troubleshooting techniques can help identify the underlying problem. With the right fixes applied, you can stop those frustrating blue screens and get back to smoothly using your Windows PC.
