Blue screen codes: what they mean, the usual causes and fixes

Common codes

• IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: a driver or unstable RAM
• BAD_POOL_HEADER: a driver
• MEMORY_MANAGEMENT: RAM or its overclock (XMP / EXPO)
• SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION: a driver
• PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA: RAM or a driver
• SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED: a driver
• DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: a driver, often network or sound
• CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED: damaged Windows files or a failing drive
• CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT: a CPU overclock or undervolt
• VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE: the graphics driver or card
• WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR: hardware or an overclock
• DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION: a driver or the SSD's firmware
• KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE: a driver or damaged files

Where to start

1. If the CPU or graphics card is overclocked, or XMP / EXPO is on, go back to stock first and see if the blue screens stop.
2. Update the graphics, network, sound and chipset drivers from the makers' sites.
3. For codes that point at damaged files, repair Windows with DISM and SFC (the Fixes page of Savenz Optimizer has buttons for both).
4. For DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION, update the SSD's firmware from the SSD maker's site.

See how often your PC blue screens

The FiveM page of Savenz Optimizer shows how many blue screens the PC had in the last 30 days and their codes, plus times the PC went off without shutting down and CPU or RAM errors Windows logged.

The minidump files in C:\Windows\Minidump hold the cause of each blue screen. Keep them while you look into it.

Look alikes that are not blue screens

• The screen goes black for a moment and comes back: the graphics driver stopped and Windows reset it. A newer driver, stock GPU clocks and a cooler card fix most of these.
• The PC just turns off: a power cut, a freeze or the reset button. If it happens while gaming, a weak power supply or overheating can be the cause.