Table of common BSOD error codes on Windows 11 and Windows 10

What is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?  A Blue Screen of Death  (  BSOD  ) occurs when Windows encounters a critical error that it cannot resolve, forcing your computer to restart unexpectedly. This can be caused by hardware failure, driver conflicts, corrupted system files, or software issues. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you will see the message "  Your computer is having trouble and needs to restart  " followed by the  STOP code  .

What is a STOP code? A STOP code is a hexadecimal code displayed on a BSOD screen that helps identify the specific error causing the problem. For example: 0x0000007E or 0x00000050, etc.

What causes a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)? A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is often caused by faulty hardware, outdated or corrupted drivers, incompatible software, viruses, or corrupted system files. Common causes include faulty memory (RAM), damaged hard drive components, outdated drivers, and overheating.

Common BSOD error codes on Windows 11 and Windows 10

When Windows encounters a blue screen error, you may see error messages like the following:

1. Page error in non-pagged area  . Stop code:  0x00000050  .
2. IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL  . Stop code:  0x0000000A  .
3. SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION  . STOP Error code:  0x0000003B  .
4. Error KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED  . Stop code:  0x0000001E  .
5. CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED  . STOP Code:  0x000000EF  .
6. MEMORY MANAGEMENT  . STOP Code:  0x0000001A  .
7. DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL  . STOP Code:  0x000000D1  .
8. VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE  . STOP Code:  0x00000116  .
9. The boot device is inaccessible  . Stop code:  0x0000007B  .
10. Group header error (BAD_POOL_HEADER  ). Stop code:  0x00000019  .
11. SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED  . Stop code:  0x0000007E  .
12. INVALID SYSTEM CONFIGURATION INFORMATION  . Stop code:  0x00000074  .
13. WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR  . STOP Code:  0x00000124  .
14. UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME  . STOP Error code:  0x000000ED  .
15. MACHINE TESTING ERROR  . Stop code:  0x0000009C  .
16. Error DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION  . STOP Code:  0x00000133  .

See FAQ #1 below to learn what these errors mean. This guide provides common troubleshooting steps for any BSOD or STOP error message.

How to Fix Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Errors in Windows

If your computer is experiencing a blue screen error, follow these detailed step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. You can also watch this video for help repairing your computer if it won't boot up.

Step 1: Disconnect peripheral devices.

Sometimes, faulty peripherals can cause the blue screen error.

1. Disconnect all peripheral devices  except the keyboard and mouse (USB drives, printers, external storage devices, webcam).
2. Restart your computer  to check if it starts up normally.
3. If successful  , reconnect each device one by one to determine if any hardware is malfunctioning.

Step 2: Perform a hard reset.

Discharging excess electrical charge can often fix boot problems when your computer fails to boot into Windows due to a blue screen error.

1. Turn off your computer  by holding down the power button until it shuts off completely.
2. Disconnect the power supply  - unplug the power cable or remove the battery (only applicable to laptops with removable batteries).
3. Press and hold the power button  for 15-20 seconds to discharge any remaining electrical charge.
4. Reconnect the power  and turn on the computer.
5. Check if the system is booting up correctly.

Step 3: Restore BIOS or UEFI to default settings.

If your computer is experiencing a blue screen error, it may be due to incorrect BIOS settings. You can try fixing this by resetting the BIOS or UEFI settings to their original defaults.

1. Restart your computer  and press the  F2 key  repeatedly during the startup process.
2. Look for the reset option  - usually labeled "Load default settings", "Restore settings" or "Reset to default".
3. Apply the reset operation  and save the changes.
4. Exit the BIOS  and allow the system to restart.

Can't find similar options in the BIOS? Check your computer's user manual to learn how to navigate the BIOS or UEFI.

Step 4: Run Dell's diagnostic program.

SupportAssist can check your hard drive and other computer components to find the cause of the blue screen error.

1. Restart your computer  and press the  F12 key  repeatedly during the startup process.
2. Select "Diagnostics"  from the boot menu.
3. Run the SupportAsst Pre-Boot System Check program  - this comprehensive check will examine your hardware components.
4. If the diagnostic process fails, record any error codes  (you will need these for technical support), note down the error code, authentication code, Service Card, and then look up that error code.
5. If the diagnosis is successful  , move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Step 5: Run the SupportAssist blue screen troubleshooting tool.

Use SupportAssist to run automatic repairs. The program will scan your computer for hardware issues and find driver updates that can help prevent future problems. If your computer cannot boot into Windows, proceed to the next step.

1. Search for and open  SupportAssist  , then go to the  Support tab  .
2. In the section  for frequently asked questions  , select  Start  .
3. Under "  My computer stops responding or restarts unexpectedly"  , select  "Repair my computer"  .
4. Click the  "Repair Now" button  to allow SupportAssist to scan your computer and run the automatic repair process.

Step 6: Repair Windows startup files

If your computer displays a blue screen of death (BSOD) and Windows won't boot, try using Windows Startup Repair. This may fix the problem and get your computer restarting.

1. Force shut down the device  by holding down the power button.
2. Create a boot interrupt sequence  : Turn on the computer, and when the Windows logo appears, hold down the power button to force shut down. Repeat this process two more times.
3. Access the Windows Recovery Environment  : On the third boot, allow the system to fully boot into the Auto Repair screen.
4. Select  "Advanced options"
5. Navigate to  Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup repair
6. Complete the repair process  following the on-screen instructions.

If BitLocker encryption is enabled, you will need a recovery key, available at account.microsoft.com under Devices.

Step 7: Repair Windows using SupportAssist OS Recovery

Sometimes corrupted system files can cause Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. The software repair function automatically runs a conditional two-step process to find and fix startup problems. If SupportAssist is not available, try some additional steps to fix common Blue Screen errors.

1. Restart your computer  and press the  F12 key  during the startup process.
2. Select  "SupportAssist OS Recovery"  from the boot menu.
3. Select  "Repair"  from the software repair options.
4. Enter your BitLocker recovery key  if prompted.
5. Select  "Start repair"  and monitor the progress.
6. Restart after completion.

If your computer still won't boot Windows after using the repair options in SupportAssist OS Recovery, try these additional steps to fix common blue screen errors.

Precautions (Once Windows starts up successfully)

If your computer boots into Windows at any time, follow these steps to avoid the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD):

Update BIOS and drivers.

Outdated drivers or BIOS can cause boot problems. Updating drivers and BIOS ensures compatibility with the latest operating system updates and fixes known issues. SupportAssist is Dell's automated tool that scans your Windows computer for driver and software updates, downloads them, and installs them.

1. Search for  SupportAssist  in the  Start menu  and open the app.
2. On the Home tab   , select  Software Update  .
3. Select  Start  to check for driver and BIOS updates.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process and restart your computer if prompted.

If you don't have SupportAssist, please refer to our driver update guide for alternative methods to download and install Dell drivers.

Check for software updates

Keep your operating system and applications updated to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements. To update Windows:

1. Go to  Start  >  Settings  >  Windows Update  and then click  Check for updates  and install any available updates. Open Windows Update settings.

Repair Windows system files

The Deployment Image Management and Maintenance Tool (DISM) checks and repairs Windows system files. Run the restore state command to repair any corrupted system files.

1.  Press the Windows +  X key combination   to open the Advanced Administrator menu.
2. Click on  Windows PowerShell (Admin)  or  Command Prompt (Admin)  .
3. If prompted by the User Account Administration feature, click  Yes  to allow administrator access.
4. In the command window, enter the following command and press  Enter  :
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Please wait for the scan to complete (this process may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your system).
6. Once the process is complete, you will see a message indicating whether any issues were found and fixed.
7. Restart your computer.

Note  : Please ensure you have a stable internet connection throughout this process, as DISM may need to download files from Microsoft's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are some frequently asked questions about the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error on Windows computers.

1. What are some common Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors?

1. Here are a few common BSOD or Blue Screen errors that you might encounter in Windows:
   1. PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA . STOP Code:  0x00000050 . This error occurs when Windows tries to access a page of memory that is not present. It can be caused by faulty hardware, such as RAM, or by a corrupted NTFS volume.
   2. IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL . STOP Code:  0x0000000A . This error indicates that a kernel-mode driver tried to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high. It is often caused by faulty drivers or hardware issues.
   3. SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION . STOP Code:  0x0000003B . This error occurs when a system service, such as a driver or a system process, causes an exception. It can be due to incompatible or outdated drivers, or software conflicts.
   4. DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL . STOP Code:  0x000000D1 . This error is caused by a driver trying to access an invalid memory address while running at a high IRQL. It is often due to faulty or incompatible drivers.
   5. INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE . STOP Code:  0x0000007B . This error indicates that Windows cannot access the system partition during startup. It can be caused by corrupted boot files, faulty hardware, or incorrect BIOS settings.
   6. BAD_POOL_HEADER . STOP Code:  0x00000019 . This error occurs when the pool header is corrupted. It can be due to faulty drivers, hardware issues, or software conflicts.
   7. SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED . STOP Code:  0x0000007E . This error occurs mainly due to outdated, incompatible, or faulty drivers.
   8. WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR . STOP Code:  0x00000124 . This error is mostly due to corrupt hardware and heat or voltage issues. It can also be triggered by driver issues or faulty system files.
   9. UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME . STOP Code:  0x000000ED . This error occurs when Windows cannot load correctly from the boot drive. It is often encountered during system startup.

2. How can I find out what's causing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?

1. You can use the  Event Viewer  in Windows or Windows Debugger to analyze crash dump files. These tools provide details about the error, which can help identify the cause.

3. How do I use Event Viewer to troubleshoot a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?

1. To use Event Viewer:
   1. Type ' Event Viewer ' in the search bar and open it.
   2. Navigate to  Windows Logs  >  System .
   3. Look for critical errors that occurred around the time of the BSOD.

4. What is a minidump file?

1. A minidump file is a small file created by Windows when a BSOD occurs. It contains information about the crash, which can be used for troubleshooting. You can view these files using tools like Windows Debugger.

5. How do I update drivers to avoid blue screen errors (BSOD)?

1. Update drivers in Windows using Dell apps like SupportAssist, Dell Update, Alienware Update, or Dell Command Update. One of these apps should already be on your Dell computer.

6. How do I disable the automatic restart feature when encountering a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error?

1. To disable automatic restart:
   1. Go to  Control Panel  >  System and Security  >  System .
   2. Click on  Advanced system settings .
   3. Under  Startup and Recovery , click  Settings .
   4. Uncheck  Automatically restart  and click  OK .

7. What should I do if my computer keeps getting blue screen errors (BSOD)?

1. If your computer frequently encounters BSODs, try the following steps:
   1. Update drivers and Windows.
   2. Check for hardware issues.
   3. Run a full virus scan.
   4. Consider resetting or reinstalling Windows if the Blue Screen error persists.

8. Can a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) damage my computer?

1. A BSOD itself doesn't damage your computer, but the underlying issue causing the BSOD can potentially harm your system's hardware if not addressed. For example, overheating can damage components over time.

9. Can overheating cause a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?

1. Yes, overheating can cause hardware components to fail, leading to a BSOD. Ensure your computer is well-ventilated and clean of dust to prevent overheating.

10. Can a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) be caused by a software update?

1. Yes, sometimes software updates can introduce bugs or conflicts that cause BSODs. If you suspect this, you can uninstall the update or use System Restore to revert to a previous state.

11. How to fix the "INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE" error?

1. This error occurs when your computer's storage settings don't match what Windows expects. Here's how to fix it:
   1. Restart your computer and press  F2  repeatedly to enter BIOS.
   2. Locate " SATA Operation " in the settings and change it to the opposite setting:
      1. If it shows " RAID On ", change it to " AHCI "
      2. If it shows " AHCI ", change it to " RAID On "
   3. Save the changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.
2. If this doesn't work, restore BIOS defaults and then reinstall Windows.

12. What is the difference between a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and a system freeze?

1. A BSOD is a critical error that forces Windows to stop and display a Blue Screen, while a system freeze is when the computer becomes unresponsive but doesn't display a BSOD. Freezes can be caused by similar issues but may not generate a STOP code.

13. How do I perform a clean boot to fix a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?

1. To perform a clean boot:
   1. Type ' msconfig ' in the search bar and open  System Configuration .
   2. Go to the  Services  tab, check  Hide all Microsoft services , and click  Disable all .
   3. Go to the  Startup  tab and click  Open Task Manager . Disable all startup items.

14. Should I reinstall Windows if the blue screen error persists?

1. Reinstalling Windows can fix persistent BSOD issues caused by corrupted system files. However, this should be a last resort after trying other troubleshooting steps.