Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and PC Crashes

Symptoms:

  • BSOD critical process died

  • Blue screen of death fix

  • PC crashes after installing new hardware

  • Windows 11 crashing after update

  • PC freezes and crashes

If you need help, just contact us and we can help.

This page will address common issues that cause the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and frequent PC crashes. Possible causes include hardware conflicts, driver problems, software issues, or recent system changes. Don’t worry, we will give you the complete fix for you to try yourself here completely free. But again, if you’d like a pro help specialist instead, just contact us (Tap here to go to the contact page).

Fix Procedures:

  1. Note the Error Code:

    • When the BSOD occurs, write down the error code displayed (e.g., "CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED").

      If you suspect a faulty graphics driver is causing the BSOD, be sure to check out our Graphics Card and GPU Problems page for driver update tips and GPU-related fixes.

  2. Restart Your Computer:

    • Press and hold the power button until the computer turns off.

    • Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

  3. Check for Recent Changes:

    • Think about any new hardware or software you've installed recently.

    • If you added new hardware, disconnect it and see if the problem persists.

    • Uninstall any recently installed software or updates that might be causing conflicts.

  4. Boot into Safe Mode:

    • Restart your computer.

    • Before Windows loads, repeatedly press F8 (or Shift + F8) to access Advanced Startup Options.

    • Select "Safe Mode" and let the system boot.

    • If the computer doesn't crash in Safe Mode, proceed to the next step.

  5. Update or Roll Back Drivers:

    • Press Windows Key + X and select "Device Manager."

    • Look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark.

    • Right-click the device and choose "Update driver."

    • If you suspect a driver update caused the issue, right-click the device, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver."

  6. Run System File Checker:

    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

      • Press Windows Key, type "cmd," right-click "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."

    • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

    • Wait for the scan to complete and repair any corrupted system files.

  7. Check for Windows Updates:

    • Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update."

    • Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates.

      If you noticed crashes after a recent Windows Update, our Windows Updates and Operating System Errors page provides additional steps to fix update-related problems.

  8. Scan for Malware:

    • Use your antivirus software to perform a full system scan.

    • Remove any detected threats.

      If your PC tends to crash when performing heavy tasks, you might also want to look at our Slow Computer and Performance Optimization guide for ways to improve overall stability.

      If you think malicious software might be triggering these crashes, head over to our Virus, Malware, and Pop-up Ad Removal resource for help identifying and removing infections.

  9. Test Your RAM:

    • Press Windows Key + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.

    • Choose "Restart now and check for problems."

    • Allow the Memory Diagnostic Tool to run and check for errors.

  10. Check Hard Drive Health:

    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

    • Type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.

    • When prompted, type "Y" to schedule the disk check on the next restart.

    • Restart your computer.

  11. Disable Automatic Restart:

    • Right-click "This PC" and select "Properties."

    • Click "Advanced system settings."

    • Under "Startup and Recovery," click "Settings."

    • Uncheck "Automatically restart" under "System failure."

    • This will allow you to see the BSOD error message fully.

  12. Reset BIOS/UEFI Settings:

    • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, DEL, or ESC during startup).

    • Select the option to load default settings.

    • Save changes and exit.

  13. Perform a System Restore:

    • Go to "Control Panel" > "Recovery" > "Open System Restore."

    • Choose a restore point from before the issue began.

    • Follow the prompts to restore your system.

  14. Check for Overheating:

    • Ensure your computer is in a well-ventilated area.

    • Clean dust from fans and vents using compressed air.

    • Consider monitoring temperatures with software tools.

  15. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware:

    • Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website.

    • Download the latest BIOS/UEFI firmware.

    • Follow their instructions carefully to update.

  16. Reinstall Windows (Last Resort):

    • Back up important data to an external drive.

    • Use Windows installation media to perform a clean install.

    • This will erase all data on the system drive.

      Worried about potential data loss? Visit our Data Recovery and File Retrieval page to ensure your important files remain safe.

  17. Contact Professional Support:

    • If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may be a hardware problem.

    • Contact us and we'll diagnose and fix the issue for you.