PC Keeps Blue Screening (BSOD): Complete Fix Guide for Windows 10 & 11

Understanding Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Errors

A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), formally called a Stop Error, occurs when Windows encounters a fatal system error it cannot recover from. The screen displays a STOP code such as MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, or CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED. If your PC keeps blue screening with different error codes, that strongly points to hardware instability — typically RAM or power delivery.

Step 1: Read the BSOD Error Code

Before fixing anything, identify the exact stop code. Modern Windows 10/11 BSODs show a QR code and a stop code like:

Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.
Stop code: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

If the PC reboots too fast to read it:

1. Open Start → Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings.
2. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
3. Uncheck Automatically restart under System failure.
4. Click OK.

Now the PC will halt on the blue screen so you can read the stop code.

Step 2: Analyze Minidump Crash Logs

Windows saves a minidump file every time it BSODs. Use WinDbg or the free tool WhoCrashed to read them.

Minidump location: C:\Windows\Minidump\

With WhoCrashed, open the tool and click Analyze — it will display the faulty driver or component in plain English. Common findings include nvlddmkm.sys (NVIDIA driver), ntoskrnl.exe (kernel/RAM), dxgkrnl.sys (DirectX/GPU), or ataport.sys (disk controller).

Step 3: Fix Corrupt System Files

If your computer keeps blue screening on startup or after a Windows Update, corrupted system files are likely. Boot into Windows (Safe Mode if necessary — press F8 or Shift+F8 during boot) and run:

sfc /scannow

If SFC finds unrepairable files, run DISM:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot after completion.

Step 4: Update or Roll Back GPU/Display Drivers

This is the #1 fix for BSODs during gaming (Valorant, other games). Stop codes like TDR_FAILURE, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, or dxgkrnl.sys all point here.

Clean install NVIDIA/AMD drivers using DDU:

1. Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from guru3d.com.
2. Boot into Safe Mode (Settings → Recovery → Advanced startup → Troubleshoot → Startup Settings → Safe Mode).
3. Run DDU, select your GPU brand, and click Clean and Restart.
4. After reboot, download and install the latest driver from nvidia.com or amd.com.

If the BSOD started after a driver update, roll back instead:

• Open Device Manager → Display Adapters → right-click GPU → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver.

Step 5: Test Your RAM

If your PC keeps blue screening with different error codes or a new PC keeps blue screening, RAM is the prime suspect. Stop codes like MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR, and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA are strong indicators.

Quick test with Windows Memory Diagnostic:

• Press Win+R, type mdsched.exe, press Enter, choose Restart now and check for problems.

Thorough test with MemTest86:

1. Download MemTest86 (memtest86.com) and create a bootable USB.
2. Boot from the USB and run at least 2 full passes (8 passes recommended).
3. Any errors = bad RAM. Try each stick individually to find the faulty module.
4. Also try reseating RAM sticks and testing in different slots.

XMP/EXPO profiles: If you enabled XMP or EXPO in BIOS, try disabling it temporarily. Aggressive memory overclocks on new PCs are a frequent BSOD cause.

Step 6: Check Storage Health

A failing SSD or HDD causes BSODs on startup. Stop codes: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE, BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO.

Run CHKDSK from an elevated command prompt:

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

This requires a reboot to run before Windows loads. It will find and repair bad sectors.

Also check SMART health:

wmic diskdrive get model,status

Or use CrystalDiskInfo (free) for a detailed health report. Any status other than Good means the drive is failing and needs replacement.

Step 7: Check for Overheating

Laptops that constantly blue screen during load often overheat. Games push GPU and CPU to 100%, and thermal throttling or emergency shutdown triggers a BSOD. Stop codes: THERMAL_RUNAWAY, WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR.

1. Download HWMonitor or Core Temp and monitor temperatures under load.
2. CPU should stay below 90°C; GPU below 85°C for sustained gaming.
3. If temps are too high: clean dust from vents, repaste CPU/GPU (especially on laptops 3+ years old), ensure adequate case airflow on desktops.

Step 8: Check Power Supply

A failing or underpowered PSU causes random BSODs under load. If you recently added new hardware (GPU upgrade) or the PC blue screens only when gaming or under stress, test the PSU with a tool like OCCT which runs stress tests and monitors voltage rails. Voltages should be within 5% of nominal (12V should read 11.4V–12.6V). A failing PSU needs to be replaced.

Step 9: Roll Back or Pause Windows Updates

If BSODs started immediately after a Windows Update:

1. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Update History → Uninstall Updates.
2. Uninstall the most recent cumulative update.
3. To pause future updates temporarily: Settings → Windows Update → Pause Updates.

Step 10: Reset or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If all else fails and BSODs persist:

1. Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC.
2. Choose Keep my files for a soft reset or Remove everything for a clean install.
3. For a fully clean install, download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from microsoft.com and install fresh from USB.

Before doing this, back up all data to an external drive.