A so-called Blue Screen of Death (BSoD for short) on the screen of a Windows PC indicates a system error. In this article, you can read about the possible causes and how to fix the problem yourself. You can also find out how Avira System Speedup can help you optimise your computer – from startup time to storage space.
What is a blue screen of death?
The term “Blue Screen of Death” refers to an error message on a Windows computer or laptop. It indicates a system error that causes the operating system to crash. What may sound dramatic at first does not always have to be serious. Many BSoD errors are easy to fix yourself.
Since Windows 10, the Blue Screen of Death displays a special message that describes the problem that has occurred in more detail. The BSoD codes or Windows shutdown codes indicate how you can rectify the error. You can also use a QR code to obtain further information about your computer crash.
By the way: The Blue Screen of Death has given way to a black screen with a blue QR code in Windows 11. However, the message and troubleshooting of a Black Screen of Death remain the same.
What can cause a BSoD?
If the operating system on your Windows computer can no longer be run safely, the Blue Screen of Death appears. Common causes:
- Drivers: incompatible drivers are one of the main causes when the Blue Screen of Death appears.
- Software: If software problems occur, your PC may crash. This is often caused by apps or programmes that trigger conflicts.
- Hardware: If the hard drive is heavily fragmented, this can cause the computer to crash and play a BSoD error. A faulty working memory (RAM) can also be the cause.
- Overheating: A computer overheating can cause a crash and thus a Blue Screen of Death. The same applies if the CPU is overclocked.
- Malware: Computer viruses and other malware that damage important files or folders can cause a computer to crash and display an error message.
By the way: You can make your surfing experience safer with Avira Free Security for Windows. The tool recognises and blocks ransomware, Trojans and the like in real time. Our solution also includes a repair function that repairs damaged files or folders.
Frequent BSoD errors – an overview
The BSoD code displayed indicates which problem has caused the error to appear on the screen. The most common include:
- CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED: This error indicates that an important system process is no longer functioning. If you have inadvertently terminated critical processes in the Task Manager, this message will also appear.
- SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED: Outdated drivers can trigger this Blue Screen of Death.
- IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: If a software or system process attempts to address more memory than is permitted, you will receive this error message.
- VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED: If a GPU processing error occurs – for example, if you overload your graphics card – this BSoD error may appear.
- PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA: This error message indicates that the RAM is damaged. It can also be a sign of a driver or system process error.
- DATA_BUS_ERROR: If the hardware is defective, incompatible or incorrectly configured, this error message appears.
You can find out how to fix a Blue Screen of Death on your Windows computer yourself below.
Troubleshooting for common BSoD errors
The causes of a Blue Screen of Death can be many and varied. It usually only takes a few steps to solve the problem. The following guide will show you the best way to proceed if your Windows screen suddenly turns blue.
Step 1: Shut down the PC and disconnect external devices
If a Windows operating system crashes, the computer cannot save temporary data itself. By forcing it to shut down, you give it the opportunity to do so. To do this, press and hold the on/off button until the PC switches off. Also remove all connected devices, such as external hard drives or printers. This is because their drivers may be the cause of the blue screen.
Step 2: Restart the computer in safe mode
Restart your computer in safe mode. This is a minimised version of the operating system. It only allows core processes to run so that another Blue Screen of Death is unlikely. To start this mode, first switch on your PC as usual. As soon as the login screen opens, hold down the Shift key and select “Restart” from the menu.
The “Select options” view then appears. Click on “Troubleshooting” and select “Startup settings” in the advanced options. There, click on “Restart”. When the device restarts, a list with various options appears. Then press F5 to boot the computer in safe mode with network.
Step 3: Uninstall recently installed software
Incompatible programmes are often the cause of a BSoD. You should therefore first remove all recently installed programmes in safe mode. To do this, press the Windows key and enter “Add or remove programs” in the search bar and select the corresponding search result.
Select the recently installed software in the programme list and then click on “Uninstall”. Carry out this process for programmes that you do not recognise. However, do not delete any files that have “Microsoft” in their name, as they are usually system-relevant.
Step 4: Restore older versions of drivers
Recently updated drivers can trigger a BSoD on Windows 10 or 11. It can therefore help to undo updates. The drivers of the graphics card often cause the error message. It therefore makes sense to start with these. To do this, press the Windows key, enter “Device Manager” in the search field and confirm your search with the Enter key.
Right-click on the driver in the list for which you want to undo the update. Click on “Properties” in the menu that opens.
In the “Driver” tab, click on “Previous drivers” and confirm your selection. This undoes the last update and restores the driver to the state it was in before the update. This usually solves the problem that caused the Blue Screen of Death.
Step 5: Check hard drive
Perform a hard drive check with the CHKDSK command. This allows you to identify damaged parts of the hard drive and defective file systems. Both are possible causes of a Blue Screen of Death. If errors are detected, they can be easily repaired with a suitable tool.
Step 6: Check the RAM and restart the computer
If the blue screen error code indicates problems with the RAM, use the Windows memory diagnostics tool to determine the specific problem. Press the Windows key and enter “Windows memory diagnostics” in the search field. Then tap the Enter key to check the function of the RAM. You will be prompted to restart your PC. You will then receive an error report.
Step 7: Reinstall software and drivers
If the Blue Screen of Death no longer appears after the restart, you have solved the problem. You can now reinstall the software you previously uninstalled and the reset drivers step by step. Make sure you download them from reputable sources and install them individually.
Other programmes should not be running. Use tools such as the Avira Software Updater to keep software, drivers and programmes up to date. This solution also helps to close security gaps on your Windows PC and optimise the performance of your hardware.
How can I prevent a BSoD?
You can prevent Windows system errors by regularly cleaning and optimising your PC with a cleaner. In this way, minor problems are rectified directly before they accumulate and trigger a Blue Screen of Death. Avira System Speedup is a tool that helps you optimise your computer.
Our solution scans your PC for junk data and informs you which data should be removed to free up more storage space. The tool also optimises the general speed of your computer. For example, it can boot up faster because programmes that run automatically at startup are started later.