How to Fix the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows
By Site Editor · Updated September 9, 2026 · 11 min read
A blue screen crash is alarming but usually fixable. The stop code on the screen tells you exactly where to look, and most BSODs trace back to a driver, hardware, or software conflict.
1. Write down the stop code
When the blue screen appears, it shows a stop code like IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT. Take a photo of the screen or wait — if the PC restarts automatically, the code is saved in Event Viewer under Windows Logs → System. The stop code tells you whether the crash is hardware, driver, or software related.
2. Update or roll back recent drivers
Most BSODs are caused by faulty or outdated drivers — especially GPU, network, and audio drivers. Open Device Manager, right-click any device marked with a yellow warning, and choose Update driver. If the BSOD started after a driver update, right-click the device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver to return to the previous version.
3. Test your RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic
Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic and choose Restart now and check for problems. The tool runs a thorough test of your RAM during boot and reports any errors. Faulty RAM causes random, hard-to-reproduce BSODs with different stop codes each time — the memory diagnostic is the fastest way to rule it out or confirm it.
4. Check for overheating
Download a free tool like HWiNFO or Core Temp to monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures while your PC is under load. CPUs typically should stay under 90°C; GPUs under 85°C. If temperatures spike close to those limits, the PC throttles or shuts down to protect itself. Clean dust from your vents and fans — a can of compressed air on the CPU heatsink and GPU cooler can drop temperatures by 10–20°C.
5. Use System Restore if the BSOD started recently
If blue screens started after a specific software install or Windows update, System Restore can roll your system back to a point before the problem began. Search for Create a restore point → System Restore → choose a restore point dated before the BSODs started. This undoes system changes without affecting your personal files.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if I get a different stop code every time?
Different stop codes on each crash typically point to faulty RAM or unstable system memory. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to test your RAM. If the tool finds errors, replacing the RAM stick is usually the fix.
Can overheating cause a blue screen?
Yes. When a CPU or GPU exceeds its safe temperature, the system performs an emergency shutdown that appears as a BSOD. Monitor your temperatures under load using a free tool like HWiNFO. If temperatures are high, cleaning dust from the coolers or replacing the thermal paste often solves the problem.
Should I be worried if I only get occasional BSODs?
Even occasional BSODs are worth investigating because they indicate an underlying instability. A single BSOD caused by a bad driver is fixable. BSODs that become more frequent over time often signal deteriorating hardware — usually RAM or a failing drive — that will eventually cause data loss.