How to Fix Windows 11 Blue Screen Error: Quick Troubleshooting Guide

What Is a Blue Screen Error?

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) appears when Windows encounters a critical error it cannot recover from. While alarming, most BSODs are fixable.

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Step 1: Read the Stop Code

The error message includes a STOP code. This tells you what caused the crash:

Common Stop Code	Likely Cause
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT	Faulty RAM
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION	Driver or software issue
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA	Corrupted driver or faulty hardware
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL	Driver problem
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED	System file corruption
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL	Specific driver failure
VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE	Graphics card or driver
KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE	Corruption or incompatible software

Step 2: Basic Quick Fixes

Restart and Try Again

Restart your computer. If the error does not return, it was a one-time glitch.

Boot into Safe Mode

If Windows keeps crashing:

1. Restart and press F8 (or hold Shift + Restart)
2. Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode loads minimal drivers. If the error does not occur in Safe Mode, a driver or startup program is the likely cause.

Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other Troubleshooters → Blue Screen

Windows will scan for common causes.

Step 3: Common Fixes

Fix 1: Check for Windows Updates

Settings → Windows Update → Check for Updates

Many BSODs are caused by bugs Microsoft has already patched.

Fix 2: Update Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers cause most BSODs.

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start)
2. Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks
3. Right-click → Update driver
4. Focus on: graphics, network, chipset, and storage drivers

Use the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) rather than Windows Update for critical drivers like graphics.

Fix 3: Run System File Checker

# Open Command Prompt as Administrator
sfc /scannow

This scans and repairs corrupted system files.

Fix 4: Check Disk for Errors

# Check hard drive for bad sectors
chkdsk /f /r

You will need to restart. Let it run — it may take hours on large drives.

Fix 5: Test Your RAM

Faulty RAM is a leading cause of BSODs.

1. Search for "Windows Memory Diagnostic"
2. Select Restart now and check for problems
3. The computer will restart and run memory tests
4. Errors will appear after reboot

Fix 6: Uninstall Recent Software

If BSODs started after installing software:

Settings → Apps → Installed Apps → Sort by date → Uninstall recent additions

Fix 7: System Restore

Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore

Choose a restore point from before the BSODs started.

Step 4: Analyze Crash Dumps (Advanced)

When you BSOD, Windows saves a dump file. Tools like BlueScreenView (free) can analyze these:

1. Download BlueScreenView (nirsoft.net)
2. Open it — it scans dump files automatically
3. The "Caused By Driver" column identifies the faulty driver file

When to Seek Professional Help

• Same error after reinstalling Windows — Likely hardware failure
• Error changes each time — Possibly failing power supply or motherboard
• BSOD during specific tasks — GPU crash during gaming = graphics card issue
• BSOD during boot — Could be failing hard drive or corrupted boot sector

Prevention

Action	Frequency
Keep Windows updated	Monthly
Update drivers (especially GPU)	Every 2-3 months
Run SFC scan	After any crash
Check disk health (CrystalDiskInfo)	Monthly
Clean inside your PC	Every 6 months
Monitor temperatures	Ongoing (HWMonitor)

Quick Reference Card

BSOD Occurred?
├─ Restart, see if it returns
├─ Yes? → Check STOP code
│  ├─ MEMORY_MANAGEMENT → Test RAM
│  ├─ VIDEO_TDR → Update GPU driver
│  ├─ DRIVER_IRQL → Update all drivers
│  └─ SYSTEM_SERVICE → sfc /scannow
├─ Still happening? → Safe Mode
│  ├─ Works in Safe Mode → Software/driver issue
│  └─ Same in Safe Mode → Hardware/system issue
└─ Still failing? → System Restore or Reset