How to Fix Blue Screen Windows 10: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

By / November 4, 2025

Few things are more frustrating than seeing your Windows 10 PC suddenly flash a blue screen with cryptic white text. Known as the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), this error can appear without warning — interrupting your work, gaming, or browsing.

But don’t panic! This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to fix blue screen Windows 10 step-by-step. We’ll explain what causes it, how to troubleshoot it, and what to do if it keeps coming back. By the end, you’ll know how to bring your PC back to life safely and prevent future crashes.

Table of Contents

🧠 What Is a Blue Screen Error in Windows 10?

A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a system crash that occurs when Windows encounters a critical error it cannot recover from. When this happens, Windows halts all processes to prevent further damage and displays an error message — usually with a sad face 😢 and a stop code like:

CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

These codes tell you what caused the crash — but you don’t need to be a tech expert to fix it.

⚡ Why Does the Blue Screen Happen?

There are many possible causes, but they generally fall into four categories:

Category Description
Driver issues Outdated or corrupted hardware drivers.
Software conflicts Recently installed apps or Windows updates causing instability.
Hardware failure RAM, hard drive, or GPU issues.
System file corruption Damaged or missing Windows files.

Knowing the cause helps you apply the right fix.

🧩 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix Blue Screen Windows 10

Let’s troubleshoot the problem step by step — starting with quick fixes and moving toward advanced solutions.

Step 1: ⚙️ Note the Stop Code

When your PC crashes, Windows displays a STOP code or error message. Examples include:

  • SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION

  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

  • PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

👉 Take a photo or write down the stop code.
It’s your first clue about what went wrong.

You can also find this later by checking Windows Event Viewer or using the Reliability Monitor (explained below).

Step 2: 🔄 Restart Your Computer in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services. If your PC runs fine in Safe Mode, the issue likely comes from a third-party driver or software.

How to Boot into Safe Mode:

  1. Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds to turn off your PC.

  2. Press it again to turn it on — and interrupt the boot process 3 times until you see “Preparing Automatic Repair.”

  3. Click Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.

  4. When prompted, press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

Once you’re in, you can uninstall recent updates or drivers safely.

Step 3: 🧹 Uninstall Recently Installed Programs or Drivers

If the blue screen started appearing after installing new software or hardware, that’s your likely culprit.

To remove software:

  1. Press Win + I → Apps → Apps & features.

  2. Sort by Install date.

  3. Uninstall the most recent apps one by one.

To roll back or uninstall drivers:

  1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.

  2. Expand the hardware category (e.g., Display adapters).

  3. Right-click the device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.

If rollback isn’t available, uninstall the driver and restart. Windows will reinstall it automatically.

Step 4: 🧰 Use Windows Update to Install Latest Fixes

Microsoft regularly releases patches to fix BSOD-related bugs.

Update Windows:

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.

  2. Click Check for updates.

  3. Install all available updates, then restart your PC.

This often resolves driver and compatibility problems automatically.

Step 5: 🧠 Check for Driver Updates

Outdated or corrupt drivers are among the top causes of blue screens.

To update drivers manually:

  1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.

  2. Right-click a device → Update driver.

  3. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

For best results, visit your hardware manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD, etc.) and download the latest drivers directly.

Step 6: 🧩 Run a System File Check (SFC)

Corrupted or missing Windows system files can trigger repeated blue screens. Thankfully, Windows includes built-in repair tools.

Run the SFC Command:

  1. Type cmd in the Windows search bar.

  2. Right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.

  3. Type:

    sfc /scannow

  4. Press Enter.

This will scan and automatically fix damaged system files.
If SFC finds errors it can’t repair, move to the next tool.

Step 7: 🔧 Use DISM to Repair Windows Image

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) can fix deeper system issues that SFC can’t.

Run DISM Command:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type these commands one by one:

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

  3. Restart your computer after completion.

This process can take several minutes, but it’s one of the most powerful blue screen fixes.

Step 8: 💽 Check Your Hard Drive for Errors

A failing hard drive or bad sectors can also cause BSODs.

Run CHKDSK:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type:

    chkdsk C: /f /r

  3. Press Enter, then Y when prompted to schedule a scan.

  4. Restart your PC — the scan will run automatically before Windows loads.

This tool locates and repairs bad sectors that may trigger crashes.

Step 9: 🧬 Test Your RAM for Memory Issues

Faulty RAM can lead to blue screens like MEMORY_MANAGEMENT or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.

How to Check Memory:

  1. Press Win + R, type:

    mdsched.exe

  2. Press Enter.

  3. Choose Restart now and check for problems.

Windows Memory Diagnostic will test your RAM and display results after reboot.

If it reports errors, you might need to replace the faulty memory stick.

Step 10: 🔋 Scan for Malware or Viruses

Some malware can corrupt system files or mimic driver activity, leading to BSODs.

Scan for Malware:

  1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.

  2. Click Quick scan, or for deeper results, choose Full scan.

Alternatively, use a reputable third-party antivirus like Malwarebytes to check for hidden threats.

Step 11: 🔄 Perform a System Restore

If your blue screens started recently, you can roll back your system to a time when everything worked perfectly.

To use System Restore:

  1. Search “Create a restore point” in the Start menu.

  2. In the System Protection tab, click System Restore.

  3. Follow the prompts and select a restore point before the issue began.

Windows will restart and revert all settings and files (excluding personal files).

Step 12: ⚙️ Reset or Reinstall Windows 10

If none of the above steps work, your system files may be too damaged. You can reset Windows 10 to its factory state.

To reset:

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.

  2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.

  3. Choose either:

    • Keep my files (recommended first)

    • Remove everything (for severe cases)

This reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal data safe (if you choose the first option).

🧠 How to View BSOD Logs in Windows 10

After rebooting, you can view detailed error logs to pinpoint what caused the crash.

Option 1: Use Reliability Monitor

  1. Press Win + S, type Reliability Monitor, and open it.

  2. Look for Critical events marked by red X icons.

  3. Click the event for more details.

Option 2: Use Event Viewer

  1. Press Win + X → Event Viewer.

  2. Navigate to:

    Windows Logs → System

  3. Filter by Error and look for entries matching the time of your blue screen.

💡 How to Prevent Blue Screen Errors in the Future

Prevention is better than repair! Follow these tips to reduce your risk of future BSODs:

  • Keep Windows and drivers up to date.

  • Avoid installing multiple antivirus programs.

  • Don’t use unofficial or “cracked” drivers or software.

  • Maintain regular backups.

  • Use high-quality hardware and reliable power sources.

  • Clean your PC’s cooling system — overheating can trigger crashes.

🧾 Common Blue Screen Stop Codes and Their Fixes

Stop Code Meaning Possible Fix
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Essential system process stopped Run SFC/DISM, check drivers
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT Faulty RAM or driver conflict Run Memory Diagnostic
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE Boot drive issue Check hard drive, repair boot loader
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION Corrupted driver or app Update graphics/audio drivers
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Faulty driver or memory Update or roll back drivers

🧰 Advanced Tip: Analyze the Blue Screen Dump File

Windows automatically creates a minidump file each time it crashes. You can use tools like BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed to analyze it.

How to Find the Dump File:

  1. Navigate to:

    C:\Windows\Minidump

  2. Open the .dmp file in BlueScreenView.

  3. The report will highlight the driver or file that caused the crash.

This is extremely useful for IT professionals and advanced users.

⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help

If blue screens persist even after you’ve tried everything:

  • You might have a hardware failure (RAM, GPU, motherboard).

  • Contact an authorized technician for diagnostics.

  • If your PC is under warranty, reach out to your manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) for support.

🧾 Conclusion

Seeing the blue screen on Windows 10 can be alarming — but now you know it’s not the end of the world. With this step-by-step troubleshooting guide, you can identify and fix most BSOD issues on your own.

To recap, start simple: reboot, check recent changes, and update drivers. Then move to advanced tools like SFC, DISM, and CHKDSK. If all else fails, System Restore or a Windows reset will usually fix it for good.

Keep your system healthy by updating regularly, avoiding suspicious software, and backing up data. That way, the next time your screen turns blue — you’ll know exactly what to do.

❓ FAQs About Blue Screen Errors in Windows 10

1. What causes blue screen errors in Windows 10?

Blue screens are caused by driver conflicts, hardware failures, corrupted files, or malware.

2. How do I fix a blue screen that appears randomly?

Update all drivers, run SFC and DISM scans, and check your RAM and hard drive for issues.

3. Can a blue screen damage my computer?

No, but it can indicate hardware damage or software instability that needs fixing.

4. How do I view what caused the blue screen?

Use Event Viewer, Reliability Monitor, or BlueScreenView to analyze dump files.

5. Should I reinstall Windows after a blue screen?

Only if the error keeps returning after other fixes — reinstalling Windows should be your last resort.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Blue Screen (BSOD) happens when Windows encounters a fatal system error.

  • Start with Safe Mode, uninstall recent updates, and update your drivers.

  • Use built-in tools like SFC, DISM, CHKDSK, and Memory Diagnostic.

  • Analyze minidump files for advanced troubleshooting.

  • Perform a System Restore or Reset if all else fails.

  • Keep your system updated to prevent future BSODs.

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