Windows: Common cause of a blue screen and troubleshooting
If your Windows PC shows a blue screen, there is a system error, the cause of which you can possibly remedy yourself. We will show you what it can be and how the problems can be eliminated.
Why does a blue screen appear?
- Blue screens appear when Windows detects an error in the system. This can be an error in the data system as well as one in the hardware. The blue screen stops Windows from doing anything to prevent further damage to the system.
- If such an error occurs, you often only have a few seconds to look at the blue screen. However, this usually contains useful information that you can use to get to the bottom of the problem. Then the system cannot restart the current Windows session, the computer must be restarted.
- If the computer no longer starts without a blue screen being displayed, you must start it in safe mode for troubleshooting. You can read how this works in this practical tip.
Common causes: hardware or driver problems
Most problems occur with the hardware or the associated device drivers.
- Hardware error: Almost every component can experience a defect or cause a problem. The motherboard, the processor, the graphics card and the main memory are often loaded.
- Drivers: Blue screens often appear even after installing new drivers. These are either out of date, have not been installed correctly, or are not approved by Windows.
- Other causes can be incorrect BIOS settings, a broken registry, an overclocked process, overheated components, or missing files on the hard disk.
The most common mistakes and their solutions
Most problems occur after installing drivers. You can find troubleshooting instructions below. If you have not recently installed drivers and carried out updates, or if the displayed error is not listed here, the next paragraph will help you.
- Solution for problems with drivers: Simultaneously press the "Windows" and "R" keys, then enter "devmgmt.msc" and click on "OK" so that the Device Manager opens. In the list, locate the device whose driver was recently installed or changed and right-click on it. Now click on "Update driver software" and follow the further instructions. Alternatively, if you have any problems, you can also "Uninstall" the driver in the same way and then download and install the latest version from the manufacturer's website.
- 0x0000002E: DATA_BUS_ERROR: If this error is displayed on the blue screen, there is a problem with the working memory. Download the "MemTest" tool and start it. With a click on "Start Testing" the functionality of the working memory is checked. It is best to let the test run for several hours. If a number of zero errors is still displayed at the bottom of the window, your working memory is at least not defective and does not have to be replaced.
- 0x0000007B: INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE: There is an error in the boot sector. First check your computer for a virus attack. Anti-virus programs like "Avira" usually also have a function with which you can only check the boot sectors. If you do not find them, run a full scan of the computer. Another program such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can also be used here. If the problem is not caused by a virus, open the BIOS, search for "SATA Mode Selection" and set "IDE" instead of "AHCI". Alternatively, you can repair the boot sector manually. You can read how to do this in this practical tip.
- 0x00000024: NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM: In this case, a program occupies a conspicuously large amount of CPU memory. Open the Task Manager by simultaneously pressing the "Ctrl" + "Shift" + "Esc" keys. Now look for the process that occupies more than 50% in the "CPU" column. If it is a program, uninstall it and reinstall it. If it is part of Windows (system), simultaneously press the "Windows" and "E" keys so that the computer opens. Right-click on the hard disk on which Windows is installed (mostly "C") and select the "Properties". Click the Tools tab above and click Check. Now errors are searched for in the system and corrected if necessary.
- System Restore: If all of this does not help, a system restore or repair of the computer is recommended. How this works for Windows Vista and Windows 7 can be read in this practical tip.
- Get help from Microsoft: If your problem isn't listed here, you can also get help from Microsoft Support. To do this, enter the error code of the blue screen at the top right of the website.
Identify problems with BlueScreenView
If you don't know which error is displayed or which program or driver is causing the problem, the free program "BlueScreenView" will help you.
- After the installation you will now see all of the last displayed blue screens in the list.
- Select the desired one there to get all information about the blue screen.
- If you move the controller further to the right, you will find the item "Caused by Driver". Here you can see the hardware that is responsible for the error. Now you can take further steps and, if necessary, follow the instructions in the previous paragraph.
Warning: Changes to the Windows system and in the BIOS can aggravate existing damage or cause new ones!