How to Fix Windows 10 Blue Screen Error (BSOD) – Complete Step-by-Step Guide
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), officially known as a stop error or bug check, is one of the most frustrating issues Windows users can face. It appears when Windows encounters a critical error that it cannot recover from without risking data loss or hardware damage.
This guide will help you understand what causes Windows 10 blue screen errors, how to read stop codes, and—most importantly—how to fix BSOD problems step by step using safe and proven methods.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is the Blue Screen of Death?
- 2. Why Does Windows 10 Show a Blue Screen?
- 3. Windows 10 Blue Screen Example
- 4. Shut Down the PC After a BSOD
- 5. Disconnect USB Devices and External Hardware
- 6. Start Windows in Safe Mode
- 7. Fix Driver-Related Blue Screen Errors
- 8. Check Disk Errors and Free Storage
- 9. Install Latest Windows Updates
- 10. Use System Restore to Undo Changes
- 11. Use the Windows BSOD Troubleshooter
- 12. Additional Tips to Prevent BSOD
- Final Thoughts
1. What Is the Blue Screen of Death?
The Blue Screen of Death is a critical error screen displayed when Windows detects a problem it cannot safely recover from. These errors are also called stop code errors.
When a BSOD occurs:
- Windows immediately stops all operations
- A stop code is displayed
- A memory dump (minidump) file is created
- The system automatically restarts
The blue screen exists to protect your system from further damage.
2. Why Does Windows 10 Show a Blue Screen?
BSOD errors usually occur due to hardware or driver issues. Some of the most common causes include:
- Faulty or outdated drivers
- Corrupted system files
- Failing hard drives or SSDs
- Overheating CPU or GPU
- RAM errors
- Malware or corrupted updates
- BIOS or UEFI misconfiguration
Understanding the cause makes troubleshooting much easier.
3. Windows 10 Blue Screen Error Example
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| Fix Windows 10 Blue Screen Error (Step-by-Step) |
4. Shut Down the PC After a BSOD
When a blue screen appears, Windows may freeze or restart automatically. If the system becomes unresponsive, press and hold the power button until the PC shuts down.
This forced shutdown is safe in this scenario because the system has already crashed.
Common issues after shutdown include:
- Hard disk corruption or failing storage media
- Firmware or BIOS configuration errors
- Incomplete Windows updates
5. Disconnect All USB Devices Except Mouse and Keyboard
External devices can trigger BSODs due to incompatible or faulty drivers.
What to do:
- Unplug USB drives, printers, webcams, and external HDDs
- Restart your PC
- Reconnect devices one at a time
If the BSOD disappears, you’ve identified the problematic device.
6. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers, making it ideal for troubleshooting.
Steps:
- Turn on the PC and interrupt boot 3 times
- Select Advanced Options
- Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings
- Press F4 for Safe Mode
From Safe Mode, you can uninstall faulty drivers or software.
7. Fix Driver-Related Blue Screen Errors
Drivers are the most common cause of Windows BSODs.
Check drivers:
- Right-click Start → Device Manager
- Look for yellow warning icons
- Right-click device → Update driver
If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the driver and reboot.
8. Check Disk Errors and Free Storage
Low disk space or corrupted sectors can trigger system crashes.
- Open This PC
- Ensure at least 15% free space
- Run chkdsk /f from Command Prompt
Disk health is critical for Windows stability.
9. Install the Latest Windows Updates
Microsoft regularly releases patches for known BSOD issues.
- Go to Settings → Update & Security
- Click Check for updates
- Install all available updates
Always restart after updating.
10. Use System Restore to Undo Changes
If the BSOD started recently, System Restore can roll back system changes.
How to restore:
- Press F8 during boot
- Select Repair your computer
- Choose System Restore
This does not delete personal files.
11. Use the Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter
Windows 10 includes built-in diagnostic tools.
- Open Settings
- Go to Update & Security
- Select Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters
- Run the Blue Screen troubleshooter
Run it as administrator for best results.
12. Additional Tips to Prevent BSOD
- Note the stop code shown on the blue screen
- Keep drivers and Windows updated
- Scan for malware monthly
- Monitor system temperatures
- Test RAM using Windows Memory Diagnostic
Final Thoughts
The Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death looks scary, but it’s often fixable with the right steps. By understanding the cause, checking drivers, updating Windows, and using built-in recovery tools, you can resolve most BSOD issues without reinstalling Windows.
Make regular maintenance a habit, and your PC will stay stable, fast, and reliable.