A blue screen of death (BSOD) is a full-screen error message that is displayed on a Windows computer when a critical system error or system crash occurs. It usually appears along with a technical code, such as “STOP: 0x0000008E,” and displays information about the Windows system’s current state and the cause of the problem. The BSOD may also be known as a “Stop Error”, depending on the version of Windows in use.
Since the BSOD appears during the boot process and halts the system, the user is unable to access Windows and no repair can be attempted until the computer is restarted. As such, the best way to fix a blue screen of death on a PC is by booting into Safe Mode and then performing some basic troubleshooting steps to try and resolve the issue.
Before attempting any troubleshooting steps, it is important to ensure that your system is up-to-date with the latest updates. You should also take the time to back up your important data in case the issue persists or gets worse.
Once the basic troubleshooting steps are completed and your system is backed up, the following steps can be taken to try and fix a blue screen of death on a PC:
1. Check for hardware issues. The first step is to check whether any hardware related issues might be causing the BSOD. This could include checking the connections between the CPU, RAM, motherboard, and disk drive, as well as ensuring that any additional components, such as graphics cards, are securely connected.
2. Run diagnostics. If the hardware looks to be in good condition, the next step is to run a diagnostic program in order to identify any potential software issues. This can help to identify any potential problems with the operating system or any other programs, as well as any corrupt files.
3. Check device drivers. Another potential source of errors is outdated or corrupted device drivers. Device drivers are pieces of software that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware components. It is therefore important to ensure that all your device drivers are up-to-date and not causing any issues.
4. Uninstall any recently installed software. If you have recently installed any software or programs, it is possible that these may be causing the BSOD. Uninstalling the offending software should help to resolve the issue.
5. Check for malware. Malware can cause a variety of issues on Windows, including blue screens of death. Running an anti-malware scan can help to identify and remove any malicious software that may be causing the BSOD.
6. Boot into Safe Mode. If the above steps do not resolve the problem, you may need to try booting instead into Safe Mode. This will allow you to perform additional troubleshooting steps, such as restoring system files from a backup or reinstalling the operating system, if necessary.
7. Perform a system restore. If the issue still persists after booting into Safe Mode and performing the above steps, one last option is to restore your system back to when the BSOD was not present. System Restore allows you to return your system to a previous state, before the blue screen occurred.
These are some of the basic steps that can be taken to try and fix a blue screen of death on a Windows computer. It is important to note, however, that some BSODs may have more complex underlying causes, such as hardware failure, that cannot be resolved using the above steps. In such cases, it may be necessary to contact professional support in order to properly diagnose and resolve the issue.