How to Troubleshoot Windows Blue Screens

A Windows blue screen, sometimes called a BSOD or stop error, occurs when Windows encounters a critical problem that prevents it from safely continuing.

An occasional isolated crash may not indicate a serious problem. Repeated blue screens should be investigated.

1. Write Down the Stop Code

Windows may display a stop code such as:

  • MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

  • CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

  • WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR

Take a photo or write down the exact stop code.

Different codes can point toward different categories of problems.

2. Consider What Recently Changed

Ask whether the crashes began after:

  • Installing a driver

  • Installing Windows updates

  • Changing BIOS settings

  • Adding hardware

  • Applying an overclock or undervolt

  • Changing RAM settings

  • Installing new software

  • Applying system optimizations

Temporarily reversing the most recent change is often a useful test.

3. Check Device Manager

Look for devices displaying a yellow warning icon.

Update or reinstall the affected device driver if appropriate.

4. Update Windows and Drivers

Install available Windows updates and current drivers for your:

  • GPU

  • Chipset

  • Network adapter

  • Storage devices

5. Return Hardware to Stable Settings

If your CPU, GPU, or RAM is overclocked or undervolted, temporarily return it to stock settings.

6. Boot Into Safe Mode

If Windows crashes frequently during normal startup, test Safe Mode.

If the system is stable in Safe Mode, a third-party driver, service, or application may be involved.

7. Use System Restore

If the crashes began after a recent system change, restoring Windows to a point from before the problem started may resolve it.

Important

Frequent blue screens can also indicate hardware problems.

Stop codes should be treated as troubleshooting clues, not automatic proof that one specific component has failed.