[Updated April 2023] Fix – Windows Stop Code Errors

[Updated April 2023] Fix – Windows Stop Code Errors

/ James Masterson

Experiencing Windows Blue Screen of Death can be extremely frustrating. Typically, it would be best to restart your computer, making it possible to lose essential files. As a result, you must take the time to improve your system performance to avoid a BSOD.

Thankfully, blue screen errors come with an associated stop code. With Windows stop code, anyone can quickly troubleshoot the blue screen error.

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What Is A Stop Code?

Stop codes, also known as bug checks or check codes, are unique numbers identifying a STOP error (Blue Screen of Death). When computers encounter a problem or a dangerous virus, one of the safest ways to protect themselves is to turn off and restart. Once everything is stopped and the system restart completes, it displays a stop code.

This stop code can be used to troubleshoot the error that caused the Blue Screen of Death. Most BSOD errors are due to a device driver or your computer’s RAM. Nonetheless, other codes can also imply problems with other software or hardware.

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All the Windows 10 Stop codes are unique; therefore, it is easy to find the precise cause of the error. For example, when you encounter a Windows stop code 0xc000021, you have “user-mode subsystem” issues in Windows.

windows error

Top Windows Stop Code Errors

We’ve compiled a list of solutions to common Windows 10 stop code errors. If you frequently experience stop errors or blue screen errors, this list may help you address each issue.

Windows Stop CodeStop ErrorExplanation
0x00000133DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATIONIncorrect or failed installation or uninstallation of applications.
N/AWHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERRORHardware issues and corrupted system files.
0x000000EFCRITICAL_PROCESS_DIEDCorrupt system update files and driver issues.
0xc000021aSTATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED or Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restartIssues with hardware or software
N/AMEMORY MANAGEMENTIssues with the Video Card driver.
N/ACLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUTIssues with hardware drivers, RAM, BIOS, and software conflicts.
0x0000009FPDP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERRORIssues with Input/Output device initialization
0x000000139KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILUREIssues with driver compatibility

Note: There will also be times when you experience a blue screen error that says contact windows.com/stopcode. The link will take you online to a Microsoft page to help you troubleshoot for Blue Screen of Death errors.

Sometimes there will be times when you cannot find the stop code Windows 10 display—however, some ways to find the exact code inside your system. You can access your PC’s Event Viewer, or you can also use third-party software.

How to Use the Event Viewer

In Windows 10, you have a range of tools that you can use to your advantage. One of these tools is the event view, and this built-in utility keeps track of every event inside your system.

This is a crucial tool if you want to find real solutions to your BSOD errors. To access the Event Viewer and review the event log, follow the steps below.

Step 1:

In your start menu, type event viewer and click “Run as administrator.”

Event Viewer

Step 2:

In the right panel, click Create Custom View. Locate Windows Logs. Select the time you experienced a blue screen of death errors from the drop next to Logged in the Custom View window.

windows logs event viewer

Next, under the Event Level, choose Error and Critical. You need to select Windows Logs for Event Logs. After selecting the correct options, the OK button will be enabled. Click OK.

windows event viewer status windows logs

Step 3:

Assign a name to the custom-made view. Click on OK.

Step 4:

Under Event Viewer, you will find the new custom view, with all the logs in the middle panel.

Review to find the critical error logs. You will also find the Windows Stop code in the General and Details tab at the bottom of the Event Viewer. Using the Event Viewer, you will isolate specific blue screens of death errors that can help you troubleshoot better and faster.

Easiest Ways To Fix Stop Code Windows Errors And Fix Blue Screen Of Death Error

Windows stop code errors and let users know there is a problem with their computer. You will likely understand a blue screen of death error better with these Windows stop codes. Some stop codes require a specific fix, and some stop error codes can be fixed using simple troubleshooting steps.

Method 1 – Restart Your Computer

Sometimes a blue screen error only means your computer needs to restart. Restarting your computer can fix tons of errors, and a blue screen of death issue is one of them.

Method 2 – Run SFC and CHKDSK

Your operating system, such as Windows 10, typically comes with a set of utilities that you can use to fix an error code. To effectively remove the BSOD error code, you can use the SFC and CHKDSK.

These Windows 10 system utilities allow users to fix a corrupt file system. This tool can help check the system and repair any broken files when you accidentally download a virus or corrupted files.

Before you run the SFC command, you need to review if it works correctly. To do this, you can access the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool or DISM. Like SFC, you can use DISM to troubleshoot various issues and functions. In this example, you can use the DISM Restorehealth command.

Step 1:

Hold down the “Windows” key and press “R,” and type “cmd” in the run command line. Hold the “ctrl and shift” keys together and press enter. Click “OK” on the next window to grant administrator permissions.

control find cmd

Step 2:

Inside the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter: DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

dism restorehealth

Wait for the command to run and complete. Depending on your system’s health, the process may take as long as 20 minutes or over.

Once the process is complete, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

sfc scannow

Step 3:

Next, run CHKDSK. Compared to SFC, CHKDSK scans your entire drive for errors. On the other hand, SFC scans Windows files specifically. Nevertheless, you should run a CHKDSK scan from the Command Prompt to remove errors in your computer.

In your Start menu search bar, type command prompt, right-click the best match, and select Run as administrator. (You can also use your keyboard to access the command prompt, press the Windows key + X, then choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the results.)

Next, type chkdsk /r and press Enter. This command will start scanning your system for errors. In addition, it will also begin fixing any errors in the drive.

chkdsk command

Once SFC and CHKDSK scans are complete, restart your computer. Hopefully, this method will altogether remove your blue screen of death error.

Method 3 – Do A System Restore

Another way to completely fix a blue screen of death error is to use system restore. System Restore point is a legacy in most Windows operating systems, and this feature allows users to undo any system changes without affecting installed files. With system restore, you can return the device when your Windows 10 computer is working correctly.

Note: For the system restore to be usable, you must have enabled it manually. Once System Restore is enabled and configured, you can use a restore point to fix the stop error.

In Windows 10, there are several ways to access System Restore. For example, you can use the Advanced startup, including the boot potion menu or USB installation media.

Advanced Startup – Access From Boot

Start your computer when you see the Windows logo on your screen. Press and hold the power button, which will interrupt the boot sequence. Repeat this process two more times.

After the third interruption, Windows 10 should open the Advanced startup environment. Here, you can proceed with the System Restore process. 

advanced options system restore

Advanced startup access from USB

Another option is to use Windows 10 installation media to access the Advanced startup.

Start your computer using USB media.

Note: If your PC isn’t starting from USB, you must change your system’s BIOS settings to boot from a USB. Typically, you can access the BIOS by powering up your device and pressing one of the functions, such as the Delete or ESC keys. However, if unsure, you can check your manufacturer’s website for more details.

Click the Next button. Then, click the Repair your computer option found in the bottom-left corner.

Once you complete the steps, continue with the Restore Point.

Select Restore Point to fix the bug check

Step 1:

Click the Advanced Startup option.

Note: If you’re accessing Advanced Startup using USB media, you’ll likely see the Troubleshoot option show up instead (see step No.2).

Step 2:

Click the Troubleshoot option.

Step 3:

Click the Advanced options button.

Step 4:

Click the System Restore option.

advanced options system restore

Step 5:

Select your account and confirm your password. Click on the Continue button.

Step 6:

Select the most recent restore point to resolve the blue screen error message.

select system restore point

Step 7:

Click the Scan for affected programs button. This will help you determine the apps and software that may be affected using a restore point. Click on the Close button, the following button, and finally, the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, the feature will undo any updates on drivers, apps, and system changes after you set up the restoration point. Hopefully, this will also fix your blue screen of death error in your Windows 10.

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Method 4 – Redownload Any Installation Files

Windows 10 is one of the most stable operating systems today. However, it consistently needs updates to ensure your system’s and files’ safety.

Sometimes, if you use Windows Update to upgrade your system, you may see a Blue Screen of Death. This happens when one or multiple installation files are damaged during the download. You can fix Windows 10 errors by removing and re-downloading these damaged files.

Setup Windows Update to re-download the upgrade files using these steps:

Step 1:

Click on the Windows button on the desktop, type in “Delete temporary files,” and press “Enter.”

search delete temporary files

Step 2:

Click on the Temporary Files section.

select temporary files

Step 3:

Clear the preselected options and instead check the Temporary Windows installation files option.

confirm temporary files removal

Step 4:

Click the Remove Files button. Once you complete the steps, open the Windows Update settings and update your Windows 10 computer again.

Method 5 – Uninstall Incompatible Apps

According to reports, one of the most common reasons users experience a blue screen of death error is due to a recent update. This can be a simple software driver update or a newer version of Windows 10.

There is a range of reasons why these blue screen error codes could happen, but mainly due to incompatibility issues. Corrupted or incorrect files can also cause blue screen of death errors. You can uninstall the incompatible app to fix the blue screen of the death error.

Step 1:

Hold down the Windows + R keys on your keyboard, type in “appwiz.cpl” on the run command line, and press “enter.”

appwiz cpl

Step 2:

Look for the app that may be causing the blue screen of death issue in the list of applications. Click on the Uninstall button.

uninstall geforce
Sample Only

Step 3:

Click the Uninstall button again.

Note: If you remove a legacy desktop application, you may need to continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you have completed all the steps, you may need to repeat the steps to uninstall additional incompatible apps with your system. You can update one at a time and check which update may be causing your blue screen of death error.

Method 6 – Review and Analyze Any Upgrade Problems

As mentioned above, a blue screen of death error is typically due to an upgrade or update incompatible with your current system. You must review and analyze any upgrade problem to solve the issue. To do this, you can use the SetupDiag tool to troubleshoot blue screen errors.

The SetupDiag is a Microsoft Windows 10 utility tool you can download by clicking here. This is valuable information if you are consistently experiencing BSOD issues.

Step 1:

Open the SetupDiag download page and click the Download SetupDiag button.

download setupdiag

Step 2:

Select a destination folder to save the file and click the Save button.

Step 3:

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the file.

Step 4:

Right-click the “SetupDiag.exe” and then select the Run as administrator option.

run setup diag as administrator

Step 5:

Right-click the SetupDiagResults.log file and select the Open option.

open setup diag file

Once these steps are completed, the default text editor will open the log file with the diagnostic results. It will show any known rules specified by Microsoft. The logs will show detailed information about why your computer had a blue screen of death error if any error is detected.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that scans and repairs corrupt system files. Running SFC can help fix issues such as the “critical system process died” and “invalid system memory” and stop code errors by restoring damaged or missing files essential for Windows to function properly.

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a troubleshooting tool that allows users to diagnose and repair Windows system files, including those related to system memory management and display drivers. By accessing the Device Manager within WinRE, users can disable or update problematic drivers, which may be causing stop code errors such as “code error” and “system memory” issues, as well as “Windows crashes” related to display drivers.

How can I identify if recently installed software or hardware is causing stop code Errors, and what is the significance of memory dump files?

If you suspect a recently installed hardware or software is causing Stop Code Errors, you can try uninstalling the program or device through the Device Manager. Additionally, you can access memory dump files generated during a system crash to help identify the cause of the error. These files contain valuable information that can help troubleshoot issues such as “invalid system memory,” “critical system process died,” and “corrupt system files.”

If you encounter a Stop Code Error related to the system partition, it might indicate issues with your hard drive or the partition structure. You can use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to run disk repair tools, such as CHKDSK, which can help resolve issues with the system partition.

Conclusion: Tackling Windows Stop Code Errors

In conclusion, Windows Stop Code Errors can be caused by various issues, including corrupt system files, critical system processes, system memory management, display drivers, and system partitions.

By utilizing built-in Windows tools like the System File Checker, Windows Recovery Environment, and Device Manager, users can effectively diagnose and resolve these issues. Additionally, reviewing memory dump files can provide valuable insight into the cause of these errors, allowing for targeted troubleshooting and repair.

James Masterson
Meet the author

James is a software engineer and an information architect with a keen eye for detail. Among his key interests are enhancing the usability of our Windows 10 content, troubleshooting errors, and tech news.