Troubleshooting System Faults


  • blue screen of death (BSoD) displays a Windows STOP error
    • STOP error is one that causes Windows to halt
    • STOP errors can occur when Windows loads or while it is running
  • Most BSoDsare caused by faulty hardware or hardware drivers

Troubleshooting Steps

  • Use System Restore or (if you can boot to Safe Mode) driver rollback, or update rollback to restore the system to a working state
  • Remove a recently added hardware device, or uninstall a recently installed program
  • Check seating of hardware components and cables
  • Run hardware diagnostics, chkdsk, and scan for malware
  • Check fans and chassis vents for dust and clean if necessary
  • Make a note of the stop error code (Stop: 0x0…), and search the Microsoft Knowledge Base (support.microsoft.com/search) for known fixes and troubleshooting tips
  • if auto-restarts during BSoD, disable auto-restart by
    • Advanced Options menu > Disable automatic restarts
    • or Advanced System Properties > Startup and Recovery Settings