In this article, we will discuss the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message on Microsoft Windows in detail. We will also explore the causes, solutions, and prevention of this critical system error. Stay with us; we hope you will enjoy it.
If you are working on IT-related projects and use the computer frequently, you might have faced this problem. This is an error message displayed by the operating system on a blue screen. The error message displayed on Windows 7 is as follows:
A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. SPECIAL_POOL_DETECTED_MEMORY_CORRUPTION. If this is the first time you’ve seen this error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps: Check to make sure any hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need. If the problem continues disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select safe mode.”
The error message on Windows 8, 10, or 11 is like this;
“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you.”
This is a critical system error, and Microsoft Windows can’t recover from it without human intervention. The blue screen of death displays the error message with a code and then restarts.
The blue screen of death (BSOD) can occur on any version of Windows, from Windows 98 to Windows 11.
Table of contents
Causes of the Blue Screen of Death
A variety of factors can contribute to the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message, ranging from software and hardware problems to issues with device drivers and system updates. Below, we will discuss all the potential causes of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
Hardware problems
The issue with computer hardware is one of the most common factors contributing to the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message. The most probable component of hardware can be memory or a hard drive. But other hardware components may also contribute.
Software problems
The Blue Screen of Death can also be triggered by a corrupt software program. This can also include problems with Windows files, such as corrupted system files or registry errors. Moreover, viruses and malware can also be the culprits for the error message.
Device drivers
Drives are software programs that allow your computer to communicate with the device properly; they are software programs that run the device. Device drivers can also be the main cause of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message. If your device driver is corrupted or outdated, it can cause your system to crash, resulting in the BSOD error message.
Overclocking
The process of increasing the clock speed of your computer’s hardware components, such as the CPU or graphics card, is called overclocking. This is usually done to increase the performance of the computer system. While it can increase performance, it can also cause instability and system crashes, resulting in the Blue Screen of Death error message.
System updates
System updates can also contribute to the BSOD error message. If an update is needed, device drivers can also be the main cause of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message. If an update is not compatible with your system or is not installed properly, it can cause a Blue Screen of Death error message.
Solutions to the Blue Screen of Death
The Blue Screen of Death is a critical system error that requires special attention to fix. It causes your system to shut down unexpectedly without giving you a warning to save your work. It is therefore important to give special attention to resolving this issue and preventing data loss and damage to your computer system.
System Restart
This is the first thing you can try. This got the first position in our discussion, not because it is the most important and will surely be resolved, but because it is the easiest step. This sometimes resolves the issue and prevents the error message from occurring again. If you still encounter the Blue Screen of Death after restarting, try the following solutions:
Use Safe Mode
Safe Mode is used for diagnosing purposes. It allows you to start your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode; it helps you identify system problems. To enter safe mode, restart your computer and press the F8 key before the Windows icon appears. Select “Safe Mode” from the menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
Check Your Hardware
If you think hardware issues may be the cause, it is recommended to unplug your memory slot and plug it in again, or swap the slots of the RAM. Unplug the hard drive and plug it in again. If you have installed a new hardware component on your computer, try to unplug it and then check for the error message. You can also check your memory and hard drive via built-in system utilities. To check your system memory, use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, which you can access by searching for “memory” in the “Type here to search” area. For checking your hard drive, use the Check Disk utility in Microsoft Windows. To access the Check Disk Utility, open the command prompt and type “chkdsk/f,” followed by the letter of the drive you want to check.
Update Driver Software
Updating the device driver software can also help you get rid of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message. Outdated and corrupted drivers are considered to be the most probable cause of the BSOD error message. To update the drivers, go to the Device Manager, right-click on the device, and select “Update Driver.” You can also use “Driver Pack Solution” software to update the drivers. Driver Pack Solution is a software package for updating device drivers that can work both offline and online.
Remove Recently Installed Software
Some software packages that are not installed properly or have a conflict with the device drivers can also contribute to the BSOD error message. If you recently installed new software and the BSOD happened right after that installation, this new software most probably triggered the error message. It is suggested that you remove this newly installed software. To do this, open the control panel and select “Program and Features,” select the software from the list, and click on “Uninstall.”.
Repair Your Operating System
The corrupt operating system may also be the reason for the BSOD error message. You will need to repair your operating system if you think this might be the reason. To repair your operating system, use the Windows installation media to perform a system repair. Insert the installation media and restart your computer, select “Repair Your Computer.”
Prevention of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
To avoid data loss and system damage, it is necessary to take these steps to prevent the BSOD error message. The Blue Screen of Death occurs all at once and does not give you time to save your important data. The following measures will help you prevent this critical error from occurring in the future.
Update Regularly
Microsoft releases important and critical updates from time to time; it is advised to keep your operating system updated. These updates are released by Microsoft to fix errors, bugs, and performance issues that can cause the BSOD. To ensure that your operating system is up-to-date, enable automatic updates or manually check for updates regularly.
Use Reliable Antivirus
As discussed in the “Causes of BSOD” section, malware, and viruses also contribute to the Blue Screen of Death error message. We, therefore, advise using reliable antivirus and anti-malware software to prevent possible virus and malware threats. Many antivirus and anti-malware manufacturers also offer online browser security, try to grab that as well.
Maintain Adequate Disk Space
If you have low disk space on the system drive where the OS is installed, you will most likely encounter the BSOD error message. It is because when you install new software packages, there will now be adequate space for holding installation files, and that will result in a corrupted installation. To prevent BSODs, ensure that your computer has enough disk space by regularly cleaning up unnecessary files and programs.
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Keep Drivers Updated
As discussed, outdated driver software may lead to the Blue Screen of Death error message. It is therefore essential to keep all device driver software updated. You can use software packages like “Driver Pack Solution” to check for outdated drivers and update them.
Use Reliable Hardware
Using reliable and compatible hardware will also reduce the chances of receiving this error message. NVIDIA graphic cards once triggered this error message, and they have also confirmed it. Any computer user with an NVIDIA graphic card has encountered this error message. They later fixed the error message, and the negative reviews became the destiny of Microsoft.
Avoid overclocking
As discussed, overclocking is used to speed up the computer system. It is therefore suggested to avoid overclocking in order to prevent the BSOD error message in the future.
Conclusion
That was all about the Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD, error message on Microsoft Windows. We discussed in detail how to resolve this issue and ensure it does not occur in the future. Following these guidelines will surely help you resolve and prevent this error message. If you have not resolved your BSOD error after trying all these steps, feel free to ask in the comment section. One of our IT experts will be back to you as soon as possible.
