Windows 11 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a common occurrence in Windows operating systems including Windows 11, indicating that your system has a serious error that requires immediate attention. This guide will show you how to fix and troubleshoot BSOD errors.
Read: How to Fix Windows 11 Update Stuck at 0%?
Understanding Windows 11 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
Before we start troubleshooting, however, it’s important to understand what the BSOD means. This error screen appears when Windows encounters a problem it cannot recover from, often related to hardware or driver issues. The BSOD provides an error code that can help identify the root cause of the problem.
Common BSOD Error Codes with Their Meanings
- IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: It implies that a driver attempted to access an address in memory which is not allowed.
- PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA: Indicates an attempt by a driver or system service to access invalid data.
- SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION: It usually results from defective drivers or system services.
Basic Troubleshooting for Windows 11 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
1- Restart Your Computer: Restarting the computer can resolve temporary issues causing the BSOD sometimes especially if restarting removes temporary files and corrects minor glitches.
2- Check for Hardware Issues:
- Look on Physical Components: Make sure all components are well connected including RAM, hard drive, etc.
- Run Hardware Diagnostics: You may use built-in tools, third-party applications, and other software available for hardware problem-checking purposes.
3- Update Windows and Drivers
- Update Windows: To find updates go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows update.
- Update Drivers: Right-click on the Start button and choose Device Manager. Then go through each device and click Update driver option for them one after another.
4- Scan for Malware
Malware can corrupt system files and drivers. A complete scan will help reveal if there are such threats in your PC either using Windows Defender or other third-party antivirus software installed on your PC to perform this task.
5- Check for Recent Changes
- Uninstall Recent Updates or Software: Try reverting recent updates or uninstalling software recently installed if you notice that the BSOD appeared after any such changes.
- System Restore: Use Settings > System > About > System Protection to access System Restore and take your computer back to a previous state before the onset of this BSOD condition.
Advanced Ways to Fix Windows 11 Blue Screen of Death
1- Analyze Minidump Files
- Locate Minidump Files: You can find minidump files at C:\Windows\Minidump. These files have information about the BSOD which may be used in analyzing the cause of it.
- Use Debugging Tools: Popular debugging tools include WinDbg (Windows Debugger) which can analyze minidump files. Similar tools for non-techies are available such as BlueScreenView.
2- Perform a Clean Boot
- Clean Boot: To identify if a background program is causing the BSOD, perform a clean boot by disabling startup programs and services. Type msconfig in the Run dialog (Win + R). Then go to the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
3- Check for Faulty Drivers
- Driver Verifier: Using a driver verifier can help detect problematic drivers. Enable it by clicking the verifier within the Run dialog box. Nonetheless, be cautious because more BSODs might happen once it identifies any driver problem encountered here.
Reinstall Windows 11
Reinstalling Windows 11 should be considered if none of these troubleshooting steps work. Make sure you have created backups of important files before proceeding with this step, then follow Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC to Reinstall Windows 11.
Conclusion
Windows 11 blue screen death may give a shock to the user, however, with structured troubleshooting, most of the problems can be resolved. Begin with simple checks such as restarts and driver upgrades, then proceed to more advanced approaches including minidump files study where applicable.
If nothing else works out for you, reinstalling Windows is an option in desperation. Maintain your system on a regular basis and install updates so that you can avoid BSODs and enjoy a smooth computing experience all the time.
