Blue Screen of Death

How to survive the dreaded Windows BSOD crash.

Difficulty

Moderate

Time Est.

30-60 Minutes

Tools Needed

  • Smartphone (for photos)
  • Safe Mode

Step 1: Don’t Panic (and Read)

When the blue screen appears, it usually has a "Stop Code" at the bottom in all caps (e.g., CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT). Take a photo of this code immediately.

Step 2: Restart

Most BSODs are one-time flukes caused by a driver hiccup. Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it back on. If it works, it might be fine.

Step 3: Unplug Peripherals

Faulty USB devices are a common cause. Unplug printers, webcams, and USB drives. Keep only the mouse and keyboard attached, then try to boot.

Step 4: Safe Mode

If it crashes on startup loop: Turn PC on/off 3 times quickly to trigger "Automatic Repair". Go to Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > Press 4 for Safe Mode.

Translating the “Stop Code”

Here are the most common codes and what they mean:

  1. CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED: Usually a corrupt Windows file. Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt.
  2. MEMORY_MANAGEMENT: Bad RAM stick. Run the “Windows Memory Diagnostic” tool.
  3. DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: A bad driver (usually graphics or Wi-Fi). Update your drivers.
  4. INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE: Your hard drive might be failing or the cable is loose.

When Hardware Fails

If you have tried reinstalling Windows and it still blue screens, you have a hardware problem.

  • Bad RAM: Cheap to replace.
  • Bad GPU: Expensive.
  • Overheating: CPU might be shutting down to save itself. Check if fans are spinning.

Pro Tip: Did you just install a new program or update right before the crash? Use “System Restore” to roll back the computer to how it was yesterday.