How To Fix Blue Screen Of Death on Windows 10

In this article I will show you how to troubleshoot and fix all blue screen of death stop codes on windows 10.

A Windows 10 blue screen of death (BSOD) also known as stop code and system crash will happen when your system has a critical error that it does not know what to do with.

If your machine is crashing don’t worry as I will have a fix for you below.

Jump To
Random Blue Screen Crashes
Infinite Blue Screen on System Startup (Looping)
Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 10
Blue Screen After Login

What Causes A Blue Screen of Death

When your machine has a critical error (also known as a stop error) your operating system does not know what to do so it crashes to a blue screen of death (Like the one shown below)

How To Fix Blue Screen Of Death on Windows 10

When you see this screen the only thing you can do is restart your machine. You will also lose any unsaved work which can be very frustrating.

The main reasons for blue screen of death crashes are

Issue with device driver
Faulty hardware
Corrupt system files
Windows update
Virus

There are of course many more reasons which I will cover below.

Troubleshooting Blue Screen Crashes

In this section I will talk about how to troubleshoot a blue screen of death.

Most of the time when your windows 10 crashes it will tell us what caused the crash. In the picture below we can see that HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED cause the crash.

How To Fix Blue Screen Of Death on Windows 10

If we google this error we can see that it looks like a device driver or a hardware issue.

Sometimes like in the screenshot below it will list the file that caused the crash, below we can see wdf01000.sys caused the issue. If you see a file name then 99% of the time the issue is caused by a device driver.

How To Fix Blue Screen Of Death on Windows 10

Fixing Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death

There are different fixes for different types of blue screen of deaths, Click on the following link for the one you are experiencing

Random Blue Screen Crashes
Infinite Blue Screen on System Startup (Looping)
Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 10
Blue Screen After Login
Blue Screen After Windows Update
Blank Blue Screen
Blue Screen When Connecting To Internet

How To Fix Random Blue Screen Of Death Crashes Windows 10

This section will cover windows 10 blue screen that is randomly crashing when you are logged on to the desktop. The most likely cause will be an issue with a device driver.

Listed below are all the steps to resolve the blue screen of death

Update Device Drivers
Reinstall Device Drivers
Run chkdsk : To Fix Corrupt Files
Check Free Disk Space
Reseat Memory Modules
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Disconnect External Devices
Run Windows Updates
Disable Anti-Virus
Remove Recently Installed Software

1. Update Device Drivers

Nine times out of ten random crashes are caused by some sort of issue with a device driver. Updating or reinstalling the driver will fix this issue. To update your device drivers follow these steps

Click the Start menu and type in Device Manager, right click and select run as administrator
I recommend you start by updating the display and network driver
In device manager expand display adaptors, this will show you what display driver you have in your machine. Now visit the manufacturers and download the latest version.
In device manager right click on your display adaptor and select properties
Next click on “Browse my computer for driver software”
On the next screen click browse, then browse to the directory where you downloaded the updated driver to.
Click next
Repeat steps 4-7 for the “Network Adaptors” drivers
Monitor your system for further crashes. If you are still getting Bad Pool Header system crashes continue to the next step
Repeat steps 4-7 for the following drivers, Cameras, Printers, Software Devices, Sound Video and game controllers, System Devices.

If you are running windows 7 and you get the error BAD_POOL_HEADER “0x00000019 (0x00000022, 0x89c9c000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)” avipbb.sys on the blue screen then try uninstalling Avira as Avira has a know bug which causes this crash, More information.

2. Reinstall Device Drivers

If the device driver is corrupted then it is possible that upgrading the device driver will not help because the corrupted file will not be removed from your system.

To reinstall the driver follow these steps

Click Start and type in Device Manager, right click and select run as administrator
If you get prompted by UAC click Yes
I recommend you start by reinstalling the display and network driver
Expand “Display Adaptors” right click on your device and click on uninstall
Repeat step 4 for the “Network Adaptors” driver
Restart your system
The drivers will now automatically get reinstalled
Monitor your system for crashes, if you are still experiencing blue screens continue to the next step

3. Run chkdsk : To Fix Corrupt Files

Another cause of this issue is corrupt files. We can easily fix corrupted files by running a chkdsk command.

Click start and type in CMD right click and select run as administrator
If prompted by UAC click yes
In the command windows type in chkdsk C: /f /r and hit enter
If you are prompted to schedule the scan at next reboot hit Y and then press enter
Restart your machine
The scan will automatically run and fix any corrupted files it will find

4. Check Free Disk Space

It is recommended to have at least 10% free space on your C: drive, to check this do the following.

Click start and type in File Explorer and click on the application
Click on this PC, check that your C: drive has at least 10% free space.
If your machine has less than 10% free space right click on your C: drive and select properties then disk cleanup
go through the list of recommended things you can remove from your computer

5. Reseat Memory Modules

It is possible that one of your memory modules is not in the slot correctly. To reseat your memory module do the following

Make sure your computer is turned off
Remove the power cable from your computer
If you are using a laptop remove the battery
Locate where your memory modules are (You might need to look in your computers manual)
Remove one memory module at a time and replace the memory module back in the same slot
Connect battery + power
Turn your machine back on

6. Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

Windows 10 has a built in application that we can use to detect issues with the systems memory. To run this tool

Click start and type in Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool right click and select run as administrator
Close down any applications you might have open
On the next screen click “Restart now and check for problems”
Your computer will now restart and will automatically start to scan your memory
The current status will be shown, if the scan finishes and it says no errors detected then move to the next step
If it does find errors it is probably best to replace that memory module with the error

7. Disconnect External Devices

Some times external drives connected to your system can cause the Bad_Pool_Header crashes. I recommend you remove the following from your system

Any USB devices you might have (USB Hubs, Storage, Printers, Scanners)
If you are using a USB mouse and keyboard try them in a different USB port
Any additional monitors
If this does resolve the crashes connect one device back to your system at a time so you find out which device is causing the issue

8. Run Windows Updates

Microsoft are releasing hotfixes / updates for the windows 10 operating system every month, It is possible that one of these updates will resolve the issue we are having.

To run windows updates

Click start menu
Click the settings button (Looks like a gear)
Click Update and Security
Click Windows Update tab in the sidebar
Click Check for updates
Your machine will now contact the Microsoft update server and will download and install any updates that are found

9. Disable Anti-Virus

Try to disable your anti-virus for a few hours to see if this stops your machine from crashing. Your anti virus might have been updated recently with out you noticing and this is causing the issue.

I also recommend you take a look if there is an update you can install for your anti-virus software.

If you do disable your anti-virus make sure you remember to re-enable it when you are finished testing.

10. Remove Recently Installed Software

Is some recently installed software on your machine causing these Bad_Pool_Header crashes? Just to be safe lets uninstall any software that was installed when the crashes started. To uninstall recently installed software follow these steps

Click start and type in programs
click on Add or remove programs
Now click on sort by and select Installation date, Then take a look at the date of when software was installed. In the example below if the crashes started on 09/04/2020 I would uninstall the three programs that were installed
After the applications have been removed reboot your machine and monitor your system

Conclusion

I have gone through all the fixes I have ever implemented on machines so i am sure this will fix 99.99% of issues. If you are still having an issue please post a comment below with what you have done and give me some information about the blue screen that you are getting and I will help you out.

To Jump back to the start of Fixing Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death click here

Infinite Blue Screen on System Startup (Looping)

In this section I will cover a windows 10 machine crashing to a blue screen on system startup and is in a constant loop.

To fix the infinite blue screen on system startup follow these steps

Create The Windows 10 Recovery Disc
Fix 1 : Check Disk For Errors
Fix 2 : Windows 10 Bootrec Repair
Fix 3 : Windows 10 Start Up Repair

1. Create The Windows 10 Recovery Disc

To create the windows 10 recovery disc follow these steps.

Download the microsoft recovery tool from the link below.Windows 10 32 bit Click Here
Windows 10 64 Bit Click Here
Once the file has downloaded double click on the file, On the first window click on “Create installation media for another PC” and click next
Select the required language, edition and architecture then click next
Select USB flash drive or ISO File (In this guide we are going to make a usb recovery disc. Then click next
Enter a USB drive in to your machine (Please note we require to wipe this drive so backup any required data)
Select the drive your USB is connected to and click next
The tool will now download the required files and prepare your USB drive. This process can take between 10 minutes and an hour depending on your internet connection.
When the tool has finished close the application and remove the USB drive from your system.

2. Fix 1 : Check Disk For Errors

The firs thing I like to do to fix this error is to check the disk for errors. To do this

Insert the Windows 10 Recovery Media we just created in to your machine and turn your machine on and boot to the usb drive
On the first screen select your required language and keyboard layout and click next.
On the next screen click on Repair your computer, Do not click on install now.
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on Command Prompt
In the command prompt (Black window) type in chkdsk /f /r and hit enter, your computer will now be scanned for corrupt files and it will resolve any issues it finds. When the scan has completed restart your machine.

3. Fix 2 : Windows 10 Bootrec Repair

Next thing we are going to try is a bootrec repair. This tool will reset your windows 10 boot files.

Insert the Windows 10 Recovery Media we just created in to your machine and turn your machine on and boot to the usb drive
On the first screen select your required language and keyboard layout and click next.
On the next screen click on Repair your computer, Do not click on install now.
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on Command Prompt
In the command prompt (Black window) type in the following commands one by one.bootrec /repairbcd
bootrec /osscan
bootrec /repairmbr
Once the commands have run restart your machine.

If you are still having issues continue to the next fix.

4. Fix 3 : Windows 10 Start Up Repair

We are now going to use a startup repair. This tool will check all your windows 10 startup files (Not just the bootrec as in fix 2) and will resolve any issues it finds. To run this repair follow these steps.

Insert the Windows 10 Recovery Media we just created in to your machine and turn your machine on and boot to the usb drive
On the first screen select your required language and keyboard layout and click next.
On the next screen click on Repair your computer, Do not click on install now.
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on startup repair
The windows 10 startup repair will now automatically start and will resolve any issues it finds, Expect this process to take 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
When the repair has finished reboot your machine.

Conclusion

To Jump back to the start of Fixing Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death click here

Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 10

If you are suffering with this issue you will see the below message every time when you start your machine.

How To Fix Blue Screen Of Death on Windows 10

Don’t worry we can fix this issue without reinstalling or losing any data on your machine.

What Causes Automatic Repair Loop Windows 10?

The main cause of this issue is that an operating system file that has become corrupt and is preventing windows 10 to boot correctly. Other reasons include a hardware issue with your hard disk.

How Do I Fix The Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 10?

To resolve the automatic repair boot loop in windows 10 follow these steps

At the blue screen click on advanced options
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on Command Prompt
In the command prompt (Black window) type in chkdsk C: /f /r and hit enter, your computer will now be scanned for corrupt files and it will resolve any issues it finds. When the scan has completed restart your machine.
If you still see the automatic repair blue screen go back to the command prompt and type in these two commands
bootrec /osscan
bootrec /repairmbr
Restart your machine. If your system is still crashing to the automatic repair screen try the next fix
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on startup repair
The windows 10 startup repair will now automatically start and will resolve any issues it finds, Expect this process to take 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
When the repair has finished reboot your machine.

Conclusion

To Jump back to the start of Fixing Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death click here

If your machine is crashing to a blue screen of death strait after login this is most likely going to be caused by either a corrupt operating system file / profile or an issue with recently installed software / update.

To resolve the blue screen after login we will need to perform the following steps

Create a Windows 10 Recovery Disc
Run a chkdsk to fix corrupt files
Run startup repair
System Restore

Create a Windows 10 Recovery Disc

Download the microsoft recovery tool from the link below.Windows 10 32 bit Click Here
Windows 10 64 Bit Click Here
Once the file has downloaded double click on the file, On the first window click on “Create installation media for another PC” and click next
Select the required language, edition and architecture then click next
Select USB flash drive or ISO File (In this guide we are going to make a usb recovery disc. Then click next
Enter a USB drive in to your machine (Please note we require to wipe this drive so backup any required data)
Select the drive your USB is connected to and click next
The tool will now download the required files and prepare your USB drive. This process can take between 10 minutes and an hour depending on your internet connection.
When the tool has finished close the application and remove the USB drive from your system.

Run a chkdsk To Fix Corrupt Files

Insert the Windows 10 Recovery Media we just created in to your machine and turn your machine on and boot to the usb drive
On the first screen select your required language and keyboard layout and click next.
On the next screen click on Repair your computer, Do not click on install now.
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on Command Prompt
In the command prompt (Black window) type in chkdsk /f /r and hit enter, your computer will now be scanned for corrupt files and it will resolve any issues it finds. When the scan has completed restart your machine.

Run Startup Repair

Insert the Windows 10 Recovery Media we just created in to your machine and turn your machine on and boot to the usb drive
On the first screen select your required language and keyboard layout and click next.
On the next screen click on Repair your computer, Do not click on install now.
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click on startup repair
The windows 10 startup repair will now automatically start and will resolve any issues it finds, Expect this process to take 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
When the repair has finished reboot your machine.

System Restore

If you are still having issues we can try to restore your system to a date before you were having the issue. To do this follow these steps.

Insert the Windows 10 Recovery Media we just created in to your machine and turn your machine on and boot to the usb drive
On the first screen select your required language and keyboard layout and click next.
On the next screen click on Repair your computer, Do not click on install now.
On the choose an option screen click on troubleshoot
On the troubleshoot screen click on advanced options
On the advanced options screen click system restore
Follow the prompts to select a restore point

Conclusion

To Jump back to the start of Fixing Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death click here

Blue Screen After Windows Update

I have seen this to many times, you install the latest microsoft windows updates, reboot your machine, then boom blue screen of death.

To fix the blue screen after running windows updates do the following

Allow your machine to boot up and crash at a blue screen four times, on the fourth time windows 10 will start the automatic repair application.
Click Advanced Options
Next Click Go back to the previous build
Follow the prompts to restore your machine to before the updates were installed

If that didn’t work we can try a startup repair

Allow your machine to boot up and crash at a blue screen four times, on the fourth time windows 10 will start the automatic repair application.
Click Advanced Options
On the advanced options screen click on startup repair
The windows 10 startup repair will now automatically start and will resolve any issues it finds, Expect this process to take 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
When the repair has finished reboot your machine.

How To Fix Blue Screen Of Death on Windows 10

What Causes A Blue Screen of Death

Troubleshooting Blue Screen Crashes

Fixing Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death

How To Fix Random Blue Screen Of Death Crashes Windows 10

1. Update Device Drivers

2. Reinstall Device Drivers

3. Run chkdsk : To Fix Corrupt Files

4. Check Free Disk Space

5. Reseat Memory Modules

6. Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

7. Disconnect External Devices

8. Run Windows Updates

9. Disable Anti-Virus

10. Remove Recently Installed Software

Conclusion

Infinite Blue Screen on System Startup (Looping)

1. Create The Windows 10 Recovery Disc

2. Fix 1 : Check Disk For Errors

3. Fix 2 : Windows 10 Bootrec Repair

4. Fix 3 : Windows 10 Start Up Repair

Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 10

What Causes Automatic Repair Loop Windows 10?

How Do I Fix The Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 10?

Conclusion

Blue Screen After Login

Create a Windows 10 Recovery Disc

Run a chkdsk To Fix Corrupt Files

Run Startup Repair

System Restore

Conclusion

Blue Screen After Windows Update

Conclusion

Blank Blue Screen

Conclusion

Blue Screen When Connecting To Internet

Conclusion