Windows 11 Blue Screen Error? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A driver for one of your devices
• New hardware added before the error
• A problem with a hardware device, including memory
• Software, including a recent update
• Too little free space on the drive

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through the steps in order, check whether the blue screen comes back after each one, and leave restoring or resetting your PC for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: Note the stop code

   The screen tells you what kind of problem caused the restart.

   When a serious problem occurs, Windows 11 briefly shows a message such as “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” then restarts automatically. This is known as a stop code error, a Blue Screen error, a Black Screen error or BSOD. The screen color and message can vary with your version of Windows 11.

   To help determine the cause, look at the bottom of the screen for the stop code, such as PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, and the module name if one is shown.

   In most cases the restart resolves the problem. Work through the steps below if Windows 11 restarts frequently with the same stop code.

   Good to know

   A blank or black screen with no stop code, or with only a cursor on it, is a different problem.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check any new hardware

   Hardware changes are one of the situations where Microsoft suggests updating drivers.

   If you made any hardware changes before the blue screens started, contact the hardware vendor to update the drivers for that hardware.

3. 3

   Step 3: Start your PC in safe mode

   Safe mode starts Windows with only the essential services and drivers, so you can try the other steps if Windows won’t restart normally.

   If Windows starts, open Settings, select System, then Recovery. Under Recovery options, next to Advanced startup, select Restart now. You can also press and hold the Shift key while you select Power, then Restart.

   If Windows doesn’t start correctly several times, it opens the Windows Recovery Environment on its own. You can also turn on your PC and hold down the power button to force a shutdown before Windows finishes loading. Do this twice, turn the PC on a third time, and on the Automatic Repair screen select Advanced options.

   In the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart. When your PC restarts, choose Enable Safe Mode, or Safe Mode with Networking if you need the internet, using the number keys or function keys F1-F9.

   If the blue screen doesn’t happen in safe mode, default settings, basic device drivers and services aren’t the cause. To leave safe mode, restart your PC.

   Good to know

   If your device is encrypted with BitLocker, you’ll need your BitLocker recovery key. If Windows is stuck in a loop where it fails, restarts and fails again, Startup Settings also has an option to Disable automatic restart on system failure.

4. 4

   Step 4: Check Device Manager

   A device marked with an exclamation point may have a driver problem.

   Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Look for any device marked with an exclamation point.

   Right-click that device and select Update driver. If updating the driver doesn’t help, try disabling or uninstalling the device.

   Good to know

   Only download drivers from the device manufacturer’s official site. The best way to get driver updates is through Windows Update.

5. 5

   Step 5: Make sure there’s enough free space

   Windows and some apps need free space on the drive to work properly.

   It’s a good idea to keep 10% to 15% of your drive free. To check, select File Explorer on the taskbar, then select This PC. The available space appears under Devices and drives.

   To free up space, select Start, then Settings, then System, then Storage, then Cleanup recommendations. Review the Temporary files category, select the items you’d like to remove, then select Clean up.

   Good to know

   If your previous version of Windows is listed, deleting it can’t be undone, and you won’t be able to go back to that version.

6. 6

   Step 6: Install the latest updates

   Windows Update also delivers driver updates for most hardware.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Windows Update, then Check for updates. Install the updates that are available.

   Then select Advanced options in Windows Update. Under Additional options, select Optional updates, select all the optional updates and select Download and install.

   When all the updates are installed, restart your PC, even if none of them asked for a restart.

   Good to know

   If Windows Update doesn’t offer an updated driver, or updating doesn’t help, check your PC manufacturer’s site for updated drivers.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check your PC’s memory

   The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool tests your PC’s memory after a restart.

   Save your work and close all apps. Right-click the Start button and select Run. Next to Open, type mdsched and select OK.

   In the Windows Memory Diagnostic window, select Restart now and check for problems (recommended). After the restart, the test starts automatically and takes some time to complete.

   When it’s done, your PC restarts and goes to the sign-in screen. After you sign in, a Windows Memory Diagnostic notification by the time and date shows the results. It might take a few minutes to appear.

8. 8

   Step 8: Uninstall a recent update

   If the blue screens started after a Windows update, removing it might help.

   Uninstalling a recent Windows update doesn’t affect your files or apps.

   In the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Uninstall updates.

9. 9

   Step 9: Restore or reset Windows

   If nothing else helps, roll your PC back to an earlier point, and reset it only as a last resort.

   Some recovery options can result in data loss. Before you start, back up your important files and turn on Windows Backup: open Settings, select Accounts, then Windows Backup.

   On Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, Point-in-time restore rolls back your whole PC, including apps, settings and personal files, to a recent automatic restore point. In the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot, then Point-in-time restore, and choose a restore point. Only changes made after that point are lost.

   If Point-in-time restore isn’t available, or you need to go back further than three days, try System Restore instead. It rolls back system files and settings but not personal files.

   Reset this PC reinstalls Windows, and you can choose to keep your personal files or remove everything. Removing everything erases your personal files, so make sure they’re backed up first. It’s the most disruptive option, so try the others first. In the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC.

   Good to know

   If BitLocker is turned on, you’ll need your BitLocker recovery key for most of these options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• Windows UpdateWindows Update Not Working? Try These FixesRun the Windows Update troubleshooter, check your connection, free up space, fix drivers and date settings, clear the update cache, and repair or reinstall Windows.
• DisplayWindows 11 Black Screen? Try These FixesCheck your display and cables, reset the graphics driver, restart Windows Explorer, start in safe mode, fix the display driver, or undo a recent change.