A Windows blue screen error is a type of stop error or bug check that occurs when the operating system experiences an unexpected error. Blue screens generally occur when the computer is unable to boot up, or is encountering some form of hardware or software problem. In most cases, a blue screen error will indicate which driver or program is causing the issue, and how to fix it.
1. Restart Your Computer
When your computer crashes with a blue screen error, the first step should be to restart it. This will allow the operating system to attempt to repair the problem itself. If the error message does not include any specific driver information, this could help resolve the issue without the need for manual troubleshooting.
2. Check for Software and Driver Updates
If restarting your computer does not fix the blue screen error, then you should check if there are any new software or driver updates that can help address the issue. Depending on the cause of the blue screen error, updating your drivers may be enough to solve the problem. To check for any updates, open the Windows Update utility, and then click “Check for updates”.
3. Disable Recently Installed Software, Drivers, or Updates
If you recently installed a new piece of software, a driver, or a Windows update, this could be the cause of your blue screen error. Try disabling or uninstalling it to see if the issue goes away. You can do this by entering the Device Manager (in Windows 10, go to “Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > View all”), selecting the driver or software that was recently installed, and then clicking “Disable” or “Uninstall”.
4. Roll Back Recent Changes
If the issue appears to be caused by a recent system change, then you can try rolling back the changes to a previous restore point. To do this, open the System Restore utility (“Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Options > System Restore”), select the most recent restore point before the problem began, and then click “Restore”.
5. Uninstall and Reinstall Problematic Drivers
If the blue screen error appears to be caused by a problematic driver, then you can try uninstalling it and then reinstalling it. To do this, open the Device Manager and find the driver in question, right-click on it, and then select “Uninstall”. Once the driver has been removed, you can access the manufacturer’s website and install the latest version of the driver.
6. Restore a Clean Backup Image
If all else fails, restoring a clean backup image may be the only way to fix the issue. Backups are invaluable in these types of situations, as they provide a complete snapshot of the system at a point in time prior to the issue occurring. To restore a backup, open the “Backup and Restore” utility (“Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore”), select the backup image you wish to restore, and then click “Restore”.
These are the most common ways to fix a Windows blue screen error caused by a driver issue. It is important to remember that every error message is different, and you may need to use one or more of these methods to completely resolve the issue. If you are still having issues after following the steps above, then you should contact an IT professional for further assistance.