How to troubleshoot and fix Windows 10 blue screen errors
If your PC gets a blue screen error, use this guide to troubleshoot and fix this problem on Windows 10.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
On Windows 10, the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) — also known as “blue screen,” “stop error,” or “system crash” — could happen after a critical error occurs that the system cannot handle and resolve automatically.
You will typically experience a blue screen error during theWindows 10upgrade process, when the computer boots up, or randomly when actively using the device. Also, as we have seen with therecent CrowdStrike incident, you can come across this error after installing a buggy update. The most annoying part is that you’ll only see a solid blue background and a sad kaomoji without enough information to determine the real cause of the problem.
The system will display a message:“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you.“Or general stop error codes (such asVIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGE_AREA, CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION,orIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL). Or hexadecimal codes (such as0x000000D1, 0x0000000A,or0x0000007B) are just hieroglyphics for most users.
If the problem is known, it could just be a matter of waiting until Microsoft or the company with the product causing the problem releases an update. Otherwise, the stop error won’t have a straight answer, but it’d almost always be a problem with a quality or feature update for Windows 10, a recently installed driver, an incompatible program, or a hardware-related issue.
In thishow-to guide, I will explain several troubleshooting steps to resolve a blue screen error on Windows 10.
How to fix blue screen error during upgrade on Windows 10
When upgrading to a new release of Windows 10, a blue screen error may appear for many reasons. It could result from a compatibility problem with an old program or security software. It could also be caused by corrupted files in the current installation or damaged installation media.
Usually, when an error occurs, the setup will revert the changes to the previous installation without an explanation.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
If you encounter errors during the installation, uninstalling non-essential apps, clearing out corrupt downloads, disconnecting non-essential peripherals, or doing a clean install of Windows 10 may resolve the issue.
Uninstall incompatible app
To uninstall an app that may conflict with the Windows 10 installation, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to uninstall additional apps, and then you can try the upgrade one more time. After the update, you can reinstall the apps again.
Redownload installation files
Other times, if you use the Windows Update option to upgrade a device, you could end up with a Blue Screen of Death when installation files are damaged during the download process. In this case, you can use the Settings app to clear the previous files, allowing the system to re-download the upgrade bits.
To re-download the upgrade files through Windows Update, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, open the “Windows Update” settings and proceed with the steps to upgrade the computer one more time.
If you are still having the same problem, you should consider using theUpdate Assistant utilityto perform an in-place upgrade. Or, if the utility does not work, try using the Media Creation Tool to create an installation media to install the new version of Windows 10.
Analyze upgrade problem
Alternatively, you can also troubleshoot blue screen errors with the “SetupDiag” tool. It’s a Microsoft tool that offers an optional download to diagnose and determine why an update or upgrade failed to apply, which is valuable data that can help resolve virtually any problem.
To use SetupDiag after the upgrade of Windows 10 failed with a blue screen, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the default text editor will open the file with the diagnostic results based on the known rules.
If an error was detected, the logs will describe the information to determine why the device blue screened during the update, and if it’s a known issue, you’ll also get the steps to resolve it.
Sometimes you won’t get any recommendations. If this happens, follow the link that might be available in the log file or use the error code or any meaningful information to research the problem online. (Use this guidefor more detailed instructions.)
Disconnect non-essential peripherals
Windows can also crash due to a hardware-related problem. As a result, it’s always recommended to disconnect peripherals that are not essential to interact with the computer, including external hard drives, printers, secondary monitors, phones, and other USB or Bluetooth devices, before proceeding with an installation to minimize the chances of errors. The upgrade process only requires a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and internet connection.
After the installation, you can reconnect the peripherals. If the issue persists, it could be a compatibility problem. You can usually resolve this issue by downloading and installing a newer driver version from your manufacturer’s support website.
If the computer uses the most recent driver and the problem continues, it could be a compatibility issue with the new version of Windows 10, or the hardware in question may need to be replaced.
You can always visit theMicrosoft health dashboard websiteto review any issues that are available with the latest version of Windows 10.
Perform clean installation
The best way to upgrade to a new version of Windows 10 is to erase everything and start from scratch with a clean installation. The process will help you avoid the Blue Screen of Death errors, and it will help improve system performance and resolve issues.
If you decide to perform a clean install, you first want to confirm that the device can start from USB. This means changing the boot order of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware to configure the correct boot order.
Typically, opening the motherboard firmware settings requires pressing one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the Esc key, or the Delete key as soon as the device starts. However, these settings are always different depending on the manufacturer and device model. If you are unsure, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s support website for more details.
While in the firmware interface, open the “Boot” page, configure the boot order to start from USB, and save the new changes. Once the device can start from the flash drive,create a bootable installation mediaand use it to start the Windows 10 setup, and then continue with the steps below.
To clean install Windows 10 avoiding blue screen errors, use these steps:
Warning:This is a friendly reminder that you’ll be making changes to your current setup, which can cause problems and even data loss if you don’t do it correctly. It’s recommended that atemporary full backupis made before proceeding.
Once you complete the steps, the setup will begin installing Windows 10, avoiding many blue screen errors. After the installation, you’ll need to continue with the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to finish setting up the computer by creating a new account and selecting the preferred settings. You can use this guide to perform acomplete installation of Windows 10.
How to fix blue screen error without desktop access on Windows 10
If the computer doesn’t start correctly, you can use some of the advanced system features, such as System Restore, Safe mode, or the Advanced startup environment, to resolve the problem.
If the error happens after adding new hardware, consider disconnecting it to double-check whether the new hardware is the reason the computer is bumping into this problem.
Resolve BSoD with System Restore
System Restore is a legacy feature that allows you to undo changes without affecting your files, allowing you to roll back the computer to a previous point in time when Windows 10 was working correctly.
The only downside about this feature is that you have to enable it manually before using it. IfSystem Restore was previously enabled and configured, you can use a restore point to fix the stop error.
Windows 10 has at least two ways to access System Restore through Advanced startup, including the boot options menu or USB installation media. (Choose one of the methods below and continue with the steps.)
Advanced startup access from boot
To launch the Advanced startup settings to access System Restore, use these steps:
After the third interruption, Windows 10 should open theAdvanced startupenvironment and continue with the steps below to access System Restore.
Advanced startup access from USB
You can also use Windows 10 installation media to open the Advanced startup with these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the Restore Point instructions below.
Select Restore Point to fix bug check
To use a Restore Point to fix blue screen problems on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the feature will undo updates, drivers, apps, and system changes done after the point of restoration was created, fixing the system crashes.
Resolve BSoD with Safe mode
Windows 10 also has “Safe mode,” an environment that only loads the basic drivers and services needed to access the desktop to troubleshoot any issue, including system crashes.
You can access Safe mode by using the Advanced startup menu during boot or by using Windows 10 installation media. (Select one of the options below, and continue with the steps.)
Advanced startup access from boot
To access the Advanced startup settings to boot in Safe mode, use these steps:
After the third interruption, Windows 10 should open theAdvanced startupmenu and continue with the steps below to access Safe mode.
Advanced startup access from USB
You can also use USB installation media to access the Advanced startup menu to enable Safe mode using these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the Safe mode instructions below.
Use Safe Mode to fix bug check
To access Safe mode to troubleshoot and fix Blue Screen of Death errors, use these steps:
While in Safe mode, you can use the steps below to uninstall updates and device drivers that may be causing problems.
Remove buggy system updates
To uninstall a problematic update on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, restart the device and confirm that the error is no longer happening.
Remove buggy device drivers
To uninstall an incompatible driver with Safe mode, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, restart the computer and determine whether the bug check has been resolved.
If, after removing the update, the computer no longer shows a BSoB error,block the update or driverto prevent Windows 10 from reinstalling it automatically until a newer update becomes available.
Troubleshoot bug check with Event Viewer
If you cannot find the error code during the blue screen or want more details about the problem, theEvent Viewerrecords every hardware failure, driver malfunction, app crash, and more information, which you can use to diagnose most problems.
To troubleshoot blue screens with the Event Viewer on Windows 10, use these steps:
In the event log, the “General” tab includes a brief technical description of the error that might give you a hint of the blue screen problem.
In this guide, I forced a bug checkusing these instructions, so the event notes that the source of the problem was a “bug check” that caused the computer to reboot unexpectedly. However, it’s not always easy to determine the source of the issue. If you can’t find out the reason based on the event information, copy the description, source, and event ID and use it to research online for a possible solution.
Resolve BSoD with Advanced Startup
Windows 10 also includes a feature to uninstall problematic updates directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (also known as “Advanced Startup”).
Select one of the options to access Advanced Startup, and then follow the instructions to remove quality or feature updates that are causing the Blue Screen of Death.
Advanced Startup access from boot
To access the Advanced Startup menu with the boot option, use these steps:
After the third interruption, Windows 10 should open theWindows Recovery Environment (WinRE)and then continue with the steps below to boot in Safe mode.
Advanced startup access from USB
To access the Advanced Startup menu with USB installation media, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the Windows 10 Safe mode instructions below.
Uninstall quality or feature updates
To uninstall the most recentquality or feature updatecausing the Blue Screen of Death, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will remove the most recentcumulative update or feature update, fixing the blue screen problem on Windows 10.
How to fix blue screen error with desktop access on Windows 10
If you come across a Blue Screen of Death message, but you still have access to the desktop, the problem is usually the case of a missing system update, an issue with a specific driver, or a recently installed app.
Update Windows 10 and drivers
If you have access to the desktop, installing the latest updates for Windows 10 and drivers can help stop the blue screen error.
System update
Windows 10 downloads and installs updates periodically, but you may still need to check manually to download a critical update.
To download and install updates on Windows 10, use these steps:
If an update is available but does not download, try downloading and installing themissing quality update manually.
Driver update
When the problem is an outdated driver, you’ll need to download and install the latest version.
To install a newer version of a driver, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the latest version of the driver should solve the problem. If no updates were available, you might need to check the manufacturer’s support website to download and install a newer driver using their instructions. If the support website doesn’t have a version higher than the one you already have, you may also want to try a beta version of the driver, as it may contain a preview of the fix the company may plan to release on a future release.
Remove problematic updates, drivers, apps
Software and hardware companies can also release buggy updates that cause problems like BSoD on Windows 10.
Uninstall system updates
To uninstall a buggy system update, use these steps to remove it:
After you complete the steps, the problematic update will be uninstalled, fixing the Blue Screen of Death error. You can also use these steps to prevent the Windows Update settings fromtrying to install the same update again.
Uninstall device driver
To uninstall a buggy driver, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you should no longer see the bug check error on the computer.
Roll back device driver
It’s also possible to roll back the previous version of the driver to resolve the issue until another update replaces the buggy update.
To roll back to a previous version of the driver on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the older version of the driver will apply to the system, fixing the system crashes.
Disable device driver
If you cannot roll back the driver, another workaround you can use involves disabling the hardware to mitigate the blue screen error until a new update becomes available to fix the issue permanently.
To disable specific hardware on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you should no longer experience system crashes.
Uninstall conflicting apps
If you have an app causing compatibility problems, the Blue Screen of Death is likely to happen randomly or every time you launch the program.
You can circumvent this problem by downloading and installing the latest version of the app from the software support website. If an update isn’t available, it’s recommended that you uninstall that program to mitigate the problem until a permanent solution becomes available.
To uninstall a problematic app on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you should no longer experience blue screen error codes on the device.
Disconnect non-essential peripherals
On Windows 10, you may also see a Blue Screen of Death message after connecting new hardware (for example, graphics card, USB device, etc.). When this happens, the problem is likely because the hardware is not compatible, broken, or the system is attempting to install the wrong driver.
If it’s a compatibility issue, you may have to contact technical support or find a compatible replacement.
It’s rare, but if the system keeps applying the wrong driver, use the previous steps to uninstall and install the correct driver manually using the manufacturer’s instructions.
Run DISM and SFC tools
When dealing with a blue screen error, you can also use the System File Checker (SFC) combined with the Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to repair damaged system files to resolve the problem.
Repair image files with DISM
To repair the locally available image with DISM, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the tool will download and replace any system file that may be damaged in the local image of Windows 10.
Repair blue screen error with SFC
To use the SFC command tool to repair the current setup using the local image (already inspected and repaired with the DISM tool), use these steps:
After you complete the steps, SFC will repair any system files using the local image files to fix the blue screen problem.
You can also refer to this guide to learn more about using theDISM and SFC tool on Windows 10.
Troubleshoot bug check with Event Viewer
If you still can log in to your account, you can also use the Event Viewer to determine the reason for the problem to find a proper solution.
To check the event logs for hints about the Blue Screen of Death messages, use these steps:
In the event log, the “General” tab includes a brief technical description of the error, which might give you a hint of the bug check problem. If you can’t determine the reason based on that information, copy the description, source, and event ID and use them to search online for a possible solution.
When you experience a blue screen error, it’s always a sign that a program or hardware isn’t working correctly. Although there are a lot of troubleshooting steps you can use, you may still need assistance to resolve the problem. If you made it through all our recommendations, and the problem persists, you may want to consult theWindows Central forumsor theofficial Microsoft forums. At this time, it’s also a good idea to contact your device manufacturer’s technical support for assistance.
Alongside the Blue Screen of Death, you may also encounter a black screen problem, which usually occurs because of an issue with the graphics driver, connection issue, or something in the installation. If the device experiencesscreen flickeringissues, it’s likely a problem with an application or video driver.
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.
