Troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death Errors on Windows 10

The “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD) is an error screen displayed on Windows machines when the operating system encounters a critical error it cannot recover from. A BSOD will display an error code and message that can help identify the root cause of the problem. Troubleshooting and fixing BSOD errors on Windows 10 requires some technical knowledge but is doable for most users.

What Causes the Blue Screen of Death in Windows 10?

The Blue Screen of Death is caused by critical errors that crash the Windows operating system. Some common causes include:

• Faulty or incompatible drivers – Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers can cause system crashes and BSODs. Keeping drivers up to date is key.

• Hardware problems – Issues with RAM, hard drives, motherboards, GPUs and other hardware can lead to critical stop errors. Faulty or dying hardware is a prime suspect.

• Software conflicts – Conflicts between applications, kernels, and services can sometimes trigger BSODs, especially after an update.

• Malware or viruses – Malicious software intrusions can corrupt key system files and cause crashes. Always run antivirus scans.

• System file corruption – Important Windows system files can become corrupted leading to critical stop errors. System file check scans can identify this.

• Overclocking issues – Pushing hardware past stock speeds through overclocking if not done properly can lead to BSODs.

• Faulty Windows updates – Rarely, flawed Windows or driver updates may contain bugs that create conflicts and crashes.

Steps to Troubleshoot Blue Screen of Death Errors

Follow these steps to troubleshoot random or persistent BSOD errors in Windows 10:

1. Identify the Error Code

• The BSOD will display a stop code that identifies the type of error.

• Write down the full error code and message (e.g. STOP 0x000000F4)

• Search online to discover what may be causing that particular stop error.

2. Check for Faulty Hardware

• Faulty RAM, HDDs, SSDs, GPUs and other hardware components are common BSOD causes.

• Run diagnostics tests on your hardware to check for defects. Most manufacturers provide free diagnostic software.

• Try removing or swapping out hardware components one by one to isolate the fault.

3. Update Device Drivers

• Outdated and incompatible drivers frequently cause BSODs.

• Open Device Manager, expand each device category and update any drivers showing warning symbols.

• Manually check manufacturer websites for newer drivers. Prioritize chipset, GPU, HDD and networking drivers.

4. Monitor Temperatures for Overheating

• Overheating can cause sporadic BSODs. Download a system monitor app like Speccy to check temperatures.

• If any components frequently overheat, improve cooling or consider upgrading. Overclocking may need to be dialed back.

5. Scan for Malware

• Viruses and spyware can sometimes corrupt system files leading to BSODs.

• Run full system scans using Malwarebytes and your installed antivirus software.

• Remediating infections may resolve crashing issues.

6. Use Windows Diagnostic Tools

• Windows includes built-in tools that can diagnose several common BSOD causes:

  • Windows Memory Diagnostic – Tests for RAM errors.

  • CHKDSK – Scans drives for file system corruption.

  • SFC – Verifies core system file integrity.

  • DISM – Repairs the Windows image.

• If scans uncover errors, follow prompts to repair or replace defective components.

7. Check for Software Conflicts

• Conflicts between applications, services and kernels can sometimes cause BSODs after updates.

• If crashes started after an update, uninstall recently added software or roll back updates.

• Check for available software updates that patch bugs. Update Windows and drivers.

8. Test with Clean Boot

• Booting into a “Clean Boot” state that disables non-Microsoft services and startup programs can help determine if conflicts are causing BSODs.

• Follow Microsoft’s guide to clean boot Windows 10.

• If BSODs stop under a clean boot, systematically re-enable groups of services and programs until you uncover the conflict.

9. Reset or Restore Windows

• If all else fails, resetting Windows 10 or restoring from a system restore point can fix persistent BSOD issues.

• Resetting reinstalls Windows but retains your personal files and settings.

• System restore rolls back system files and settings to an earlier point before crashes began.

• These should be used as a last resort after trying all other troubleshooting steps.

Preventing Blue Screens in the Future

Here are some tips to help prevent and minimize Blue Screen crashes:

• Keep Windows and drivers updated – Install all system and hardware driver updates promptly.

• Use reputable software – Avoid questionable downloads and pirated software which may contain malware.

• Monitor temperatures – Maintain proper cooling and operating temperatures.

• Dial back overclocking – If overclocked, reduce speeds if system is unstable.

• Install an antivirus – Use protection with real-time scanning to guard against infections.

• Use disk checkup utilities – Regularly scan drives for errors using CHKDSK and SFC.

• Back up data – Maintain backups so you can easily roll back after major crashes.

Following the troubleshooting steps outlined and applying preventative maintenance practices can help identify and remedy the majority of problematic Blue Screen of Death errors on Windows 10 systems.