A blue screen of death (BSoD) signifies Windows 10 has detected a fatal system error and must shut down immediately to avoid damaging the operating system. This process leaves you with a blue screen displaying a sad emoji and a cryptic message that reads, "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you."
In addition to this message, Windows 10 displays a generic error code. Although not informative of cause and a potential fix, the code helps you gain a surface-level understanding of the problem.
To date, Microsoft has acknowledged and listed hundreds of stop error codes, ranging from the benign VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED to the dire CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED.
Common blue screen error messages
Here are some frequently occurring stop error codes:
- SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
- IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALv
- PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
- SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
- BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO
In addition to the generic code, users may also encounter a hexadecimal format of the stop error. For a trained eye, the code parameters can reveal extra details about the problem, which they can use to research a fix.
To non-IT professionals and basic users, though, the hexadecimal code can be hard to understand and of little use.
What causes the blue screen of death?
A host of software and hardware related issues can trigger a blue screen error, including:
- Insufficient space in system disk
- Faulty device drivers
- BIOS misconfiguration
- Hard disk corruption
- Unidentified bug of Windows 10
- Outdated Windows operating system
- Incorrect entries in the system’s registry
Blue screen errors generally happen during an upgrade or after installing an app or updating a driver. However, it’s not uncommon to run into this error during general usage.
Blue screen of death fixes
The first step toward solving a Windows 10 stop error is determining whether you can access the desktop or if you’re locked out.
Fixing the blue screen of death with desktop access
If you see a blue screen error and still have access to the desktop, the problem likely stems from a recently installed app, outdated driver, or Windows 10 update.
Here’s are some steps you can take to fix the blue screen of death issue.
Check for the latest updates and drivers
Check for and install the newest Windows using the following steps:
- Open the Start menu and click “Settings.”
- Click “Update & Security.”
- Click “Windows Update.”
- Click “Check for updates.”
- Follow all prompts to install the latest Window update if needed.
Update the drivers on Windows 10 using the following steps:
- Type “Device Manager” into the Windows 10 search bar.
- Click “Device Manager.”
- Click the device category you suspect is causing the problem to expand it.
- Right-click the suspected faulty device.
- Click “Update driver.”
- Click “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
Uninstall incompatible updates, drivers, and third-party apps
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” headline.
- Click “Installed updates” in the left pane.
- Click the most recent update and click “Uninstall” above to delete the update.
- Type “Device Manager” in the Windows 10 search bar and click on “Device Manager.”
- Click the malfunctioning device’s category to expand it.
- Right-click the malfunctioning device and click “Uninstall device.” Alternatively, you can roll back to the previous driver by selecting the “Properties” after right-clicking on the device. In the Properties window, open the “Driver” tab, click on the “Roll Back Driver” button, and click “OK” to confirm.
If the blue screen of death appeared after installing an app, this is the likely culprit. Uninstall the offending app using the following steps:
- Click the Start menu.
- Click “Settings.”
- Click “Apps.”
- Find the conflicting app in the list and click it.
- Click “Uninstall.”