How to fix Blue Screen of Death errors on Windows 11
Does a blue screen error keep popping up on Windows 11? Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix this problem.
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OnWindows 11, the"Blue Screen of Death" (BSoD)refers to the error on the screen when the system cannot handle a specific operation that causes the device to crash without warning.
Usually, a “blue screen” (also referred to as “stop error,” “system crash,” or “bug check”) will usually appear during an upgrade, starting up the computer, “out of the blue” when you’re actively working with applications, or after installing an update like we’ve seen happen with therecent CrowdStrike incidentthat crippled Windows system into a boot loop across the world. Furthermore, you will only see a blue background with a sad kaomoji and insufficient information to determine the reason for the problem.
However, the issue can usually be narrowed to a buggy update, device driver, compatibility issues with a specific app, or a piece of hardware that needs replacing.
In thishow-to guide, I will walk you through different steps to troubleshoot and resolve most problems causing blue screen errors on Windows 11.
How to resolve blue screen errors during an upgrade on Windows 11
A Blue Screen of Death is not uncommon while upgrading to Windows 11. Typically, the error may occur because of a compatibility problem with an application or security software. However, it can also happen because of corruption in the current setup or damaged files in the installation media.
If the installation wizard rolled back to the previous setup, uninstalling non-essential apps, disconnecting non-essential devices, re-downloading the setup files, or performing a clean installation can fix the problem.
Uninstall problematic apps
To uninstall an application causing a blue screen on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to uninstall other non-essential apps. After removing all the conflicting apps, you may try to continue with the installation process.
Disconnect non-essential devices
When a hardware problem is detected, you will likely see a blue screen of death. As a result of this potential issue, it’s a good idea to disconnect the non-essential peripherals from your computer.
For example, you may want to disconnect external hard drives, printers, secondary monitors, phones, and other USB or Bluetooth devices. After the installation, you can reconnect the peripherals.
It might be a compatibility issue if you continue to encounter the problem.
Updating the device driver to the latest version can resolve the issue. However, if the computer already has the most recent driver, the problem may be with the new version of Windows 11, or the hardware coincidently got damaged and needs to be replaced.
Microsoft lists all the known issues for the different versions of Windows on thehealth dashboard page.
Redownload setup files
If you try to use the upgrade option from the Windows Update settings and you see a blue screen, it may be that one or more files are damaged. In this case, you can clear out the files and try to re-download the setup files one more time.
To clear and download the Windows 11 installation files again, use these steps:
After completing the steps, click the"Check for updates"button to re-download the installation files in the Windows Update settings.
If the problem remains, you may have to use the Installation Assistant to perform an in-place upgrade.
Check upgrade logs
Microsoft’s SetupDiag is a tool that administrators can use to troubleshoot and determine why an installation failed. This information could be critical to resolving the problem.
To determine why the upgrade failed to apply to the SetupDiag tool, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the app will open the log file for review with the default text editor.
If an error was recorded and it’s a known issue, the log should include details on resolving it. If the file has no details, you may find a link with the error code that you can use to research and fix the problem.
Reinstall from Windows Update
Before going through the clean installation process, Windows 11 has a feature that allows you to reinstall the operating system without losing your files, apps, and settings.
The feature uses the “Windows Update” settings to download and reinstall the current version of the operating system with ease to resolve issues, which may also be causing the Blue Screen of Death.
To reinstall Windows 11 on a computer to fix a Blue Screen of Death, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the feature will reinstall the operating system, fixing the problem causing the BoSD.
Clean installation
If you want to prevent problems, such as blue screens, the best way to upgrade to a new version of Windows 11 is to perform a clean installation. This process will erase everything and set up a fresh copy of the system, which can also help resolve other issues and improve performance.
A clean installation requires the device to start from a USB flash drive. If your computer can’t start from a USB, you must change the boot order in the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware.
Usually, to access your device firmware, you must use one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the"Esc"key, or the"Delete"key during startup. However, since the settings are different per manufacturer and device model, you should check your computer manufacturer for more specific details.
While in the firmware, you must navigate to the"Boot"page and change the boot order to start from a USB flash drive. After completing these steps, you mustcreate an installation mediaand use that media to continue with the clean installation.
To delete everything on the hard drive and do a clean install of Windows 11 to prevent the blue screen of death errors, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the setup will begin installing Windows 11, avoiding many blue screen errors. After the installation, you’ll need to continue with theout-of-box experience (OOBE)to finish setting up the device.
How to resolve blue screen errors during startup on Windows 11
If the device has problems starting up, you can use the Windows Recovery (WinRE) environment to troubleshoot and resolve the blue screen error with System Restore, Safe Mode, or Advanced Startup settings.
Fix errors with System Restore
Windows 11 still includes the legacy System Restore tool, which enables you to undo changes to resolve problems after installing a bad driver, system update, or application. (This feature will only work if you havepreviously enabled it manually.)
You can access the tool through the Advanced Startup settings to use System Restore.
Access Advanced Startup from boot
To launch the Advanced startup settings to access System Restore, use these steps:
After the third interruption, Windows 11 should open the recovery environment and continue with the steps below to access System Restore.
Access Advanced Startup from USB
Alternatively, you can use installation media to open the advanced settings with these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the “Restore Point” instructions below.
Fix blue screen of death with Restore Point
To fix blue screen problems with a restore point on Windows 11, use these steps:
After completing the steps, Restore Point will apply the selected checkpoint, which will undo updates, drivers, apps, and system changes to the problem.
Fix errors with Safe Mode
On Windows 11, Safe Mode is an environment that loads only the essential services, drivers, and apps to access the desktop to troubleshoot problems.
If you don’t have access to the desktop, you can boot your computer through the Windows Recovery environment.
Access Advanced Startup from boot
To launch the Advanced Startup settings to access System Restore, use these steps:
After the third interruption, the system should enter the recovery environment and continue with the steps below to access the Safe Boot option.
Access Advanced Startup from USB
Alternatively, you can use installation media to open the Windows Recovery environment with these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the instructions below to access the Safe Mode environment.
Fix bug check on Safe Mode
To access Safe Mode to diagnose Blue Screen of Death errors, use these steps:
After completing the steps, you can use the next set of instructions to uninstall updates and drivers that may prevent your computer from operating correctly.
Fix errors with WinRE
Since the Safe Mode environment loads the essential elements, you can still use Device Manager to remove drivers and Event Viewer to troubleshoot errors. However, the Settings app won’t work to uninstall updates, but you can still use Command Prompt to complete the task.
Uninstall conflicting update
To uninstall a system update with Command Prompt, use these steps:
In the command, replaceKB-NUMBERfor theKBnumber of the update to uninstall. This example removes the update KB5013889 from Windows 11:wusa /uninstall /kb:5034457
Once you complete the steps, you may need to restart the computer to apply the changes.
Uninstall conflicting driver
To uninstall an incompatible driver with Safe Mode, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, repeat them to remove other drivers as necessary, and then restart the device to see if the problem has been resolved.
Check Event Viewer
The Event Viewer is another tool for obtaining more information about the Blue Screen of Death error and diagnosing the issue.
To troubleshoot blue screens with the Event Viewer on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the"General"tab will give you some technical details you can use to diagnose and resolve the blue screen problem.
If the error doesn’t provide enough information, copy the description, source, and event ID and use it to search online for a possible solution.
Fix blue screen error from Windows Recovery
If a recently installed update is causing the computer to have a blue screen, use the Advanced Startup settings in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to uninstall it.
Access Advanced Startup from boot
To launch the Advanced Startup settings, use these steps:
After the third interruption, the system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment and continue with the steps below.
Access Advanced Startup from USB
Alternatively, you can use installation media to open the WinRE with these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the instructions below.
Uninstall quality or feature updates
To uninstall the most recent update causing the bug check error, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the system will remove the update, resolving the Blue Screen of Death error.
How to resolve blue screen errors during normal use on Windows 11
When the blue screen occurs after signing into your account, the problem is typically a driver, missing update, or application.
Install latest updates
If you still have access to the desktop, you may be able to fix the bug check by installing the latest system updates, drivers, and apps.
System updates
To check for updates on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, if the computer is missing an update, the system will download and install them automatically.
Driver update
To check for driver updates on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the most up-to-date driver should download and install automatically.
If the system cannot detect new updates, check the manufacturer’s support website and follow their instructions to download a more recent driver. (If the problem is the driver, you may want to consider trying out a beta version since it may include a fix for the problem.)
App update
If a compatibility issue causes the blue screen with an app, installing the latest version may resolve the problem.
To update apps on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, any available updates will download and install automatically.
If you are dealing with an app you acquiredoutsidethe Microsoft Store, check for updates in the app’s settings or the software vendor support website to download the latest available version.
Uninstall problematic apps, drivers, and updates
Software and hardware companies sometimes release updates with bugs that can cause the Blue Screen of Death, among other issues.
If you have access to the desktop, you can remove these system updates, drivers, or apps to mitigate the problem until a newer version rolls out with a permanent fix.
Remove updates
To uninstall updates on Windows 11, use these steps:
After completing the steps, the update will be removed from the computer, hopefully fixing the bug check problem.
Remove drivers
To uninstall a device driver on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the driver will be removed from the computer.
If the graphics card driver causes the problem, you can use theDisplay Driver Uninstaller (DDU)tool to fully remove the driver since using the manufacturer tool may not get rid of all the components.
Rollback driver version
Alternatively, you can try rolling back to the previous version of the driver if a newer version is causing BSoD on Windows 11.
To rollback to a previous version of a driver, use these steps:
After completing the steps, the driver will roll back to the previous version to resolve the blue screen problem.
Disable drivers
If you don’t want to uninstall or roll back the driver, you can disable it to confirm whether the device is causing the issue.
To disable a device driver on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the device will no longer be available on Windows 11 but will remain installed.
Remove apps
If you are dealing with a compatibility problem, you will probably experience a Blue Screen of Death randomly or upon launching the app. In this case, you can try updating the app to a newer version or uninstall the app in question to overcome the problem.
To uninstall an app on Windows 11, use these steps:
After completing the steps, the app will no longer be available on the computer, mitigating the blue screen problem. Once an update is available to permanently resolve the bug check, you can reinstall the app.
Disconnect non-essential devices
On Windows 11, a Blue Screen of Death error message may appear after connecting a new piece of hardware (for example, a USB drive, graphics adapter, etc.). If this happens, you will probably face a compatibility issue, the hardware will be broken, or the system will install the wrong driver.
If you encounter a compatibility issue, you can contact support for assistance, or you may need to replace the hardware with a compatible alternative.
If the system tries installing the wrong driver, uninstall the current one and install the correct version using the manufacturer’s support instructions.
Run DISM and SFC commands
If you see a blue screen due to an installation problem, you may be able to resolve the issue using the Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) tools.
To resolve installation problems with DISM and SFC commands on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the DISM command will repair problems with the local system image, and the SFC command will use the files in the system image to repair damaged files in the current setup of Windows 11, hopefully fixing the Blue Screen of Death.
Check Event Viewer
If you still have access to the desktop, the Event Viewer can help find out the reason the device is getting bug-check errors.
To review event longs on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the"General"tab will give you some technical details that you can use to diagnose and resolve the blue screen problem on Windows 11.
If the error doesn’t provide enough information, you can copy the description, source, and event ID and use it to search online for a possible solution.
Troubleshooting and fixing Blue Screen of Death errors can be difficult and time-consuming. However, typically, the issue is a driver or application conflicting with Windows 11 (or vice versa).
Finally, in addition to blue screens, you may also come across a black screen, which is usually related to display connection issues, graphics driver problems, or something else happening in the system.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
