Blue Screen of Death? Here’s How to Fix Windows 10 Crashes Like a Pro

Master the troubleshooting techniques to resolve the infamous Blue Screen of Death on Windows 10 and bring your PC back to life.

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is one of the most dreaded errors in Windows 10. It signals a critical system failure and often strikes without warning—causing frustration, lost work, and confusion. But don’t worry—most BSODs are fixable with the right steps. This post will walk you through proven methods to identify, troubleshoot, and fix the Blue Screen of Death on your Windows 10 PC.

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🚨 What Is the Blue Screen of Death?

The Blue Screen of Death is a stop error displayed on a blue screen when Windows encounters a critical error it can’t handle. It often shows a stop code like MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, or INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE.

These codes offer clues to help you determine the cause of the crash—whether it’s a software bug, hardware issue, or driver conflict.

🛑 Step 1: Note the Stop Code

When the Blue Screen appears, take a photo or note the stop code. This is critical for diagnosis and can guide your troubleshooting process.

⚙️ Step 2: Boot Into Safe Mode

If you can’t reach the desktop due to repeated crashes, try booting into Safe Mode:

1. Restart your PC and hold Shift + Restart from the login screen.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
3. Select Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

🔧 Step 3: Update or Roll Back Drivers

Faulty drivers are a leading cause of BSODs. Here’s how to handle them:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Look for drivers with yellow warning signs.
3. Right-click > Update driver or Roll back driver if a recent update caused the issue.

🧱 Step 4: Run System File Checker and DISM

To repair corrupted system files:

sfc /scannow

Then run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Both commands can be entered into the Command Prompt (Admin) window.

🦠 Step 5: Scan for Malware

Malware can damage system files and drivers. Run a full scan using Windows Defender or Malwarebytes. Remove any threats found and restart your computer.

💻 Step 6: Test Your Hardware

Faulty RAM or a failing hard drive can also cause BSODs.

To test RAM:

1. Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and hit Enter.
2. Choose Restart now and check for problems.

To check the hard drive:

chkdsk /f /r

Run the above command in Command Prompt (Admin).

🧹 Step 7: Uninstall Recently Installed Software

Uninstall any new programs or drivers installed just before the BSOD started:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
2. Sort by install date and remove any recently added software.

⏪ Step 8: Use System Restore

Restore your PC to a working state using System Restore:

1. Search for System Restore in the Start Menu.
2. Select a restore point from before the BSOD appeared.

⬆️ Step 9: Install Windows Updates

Ensure your system is fully updated:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for Updates.
3. Install all available patches and restarts.

🧼 Step 10: Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If all else fails, reset your PC:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Click Reset this PC.
3. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.

✅ Tips to Prevent Future Blue Screens

• Update drivers regularly.
• Avoid shady or unverified software downloads.
• Run antivirus scans weekly.
• Keep your hardware clean and well-cooled.
• Back up your data frequently.

🧑‍🔧 When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re still getting the Blue Screen of Death after trying these fixes, it could be due to a failing motherboard, graphics card, or power supply. In such cases, it’s best to contact a professional technician or your device manufacturer for further support.

💬 Final Thoughts

The Blue Screen of Death can feel like a system-ending event—but it doesn’t have to be. Most BSODs are caused by driver conflicts, software issues, or faulty hardware. With the steps above, you can troubleshoot and fix the issue without losing data or needing a full reinstall.

Have a specific BSOD stop code you’re dealing with? Leave it in the comments below—we’re here to help!