Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), also called the Stop Error, is a critical error or a system crash, which happens when the operating software can no longer function safely.
Most of the time, BSOD is caused due to corrupted Windows files and system database. Sometimes, it can also be caused by hardware problems. Windows restarts automatically when it faces BSOD error.
The most famous BSOD happened at Comdex in 1998 and the victim was Bill Gates!
6 Ways To Fix BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) Error
1. Boot in Safe Mode
If you are constantly getting the blue screen of death error, then try to boot into the safe mode. When you start Windows through Safe mode then only the essential drivers will be loaded and any third party software will not be loaded.
If a driver is causing the problem, it will be identified and you can troubleshoot to fix it. If a recently installed software is the cause of the problem, then the PC will function normally in the Safe mode. You can then uninstall the software which is causing trouble by going to the Control Panel.
2. System Restore
If the computer started showing the Blue Screen of Death suddenly, you can use System Restore to choose a restore point, when the computer was working properly. Go to the Control Panel -> System and Security -> Backup and Restore and choose ‘Recover system settings for your computer’
If this works, then it was probably faulty software, which was causing the problem.
3. Scan for Malware
BSOD can be triggered by Malware errors as well. Go into the Safe mode and run an anti-virus or a malware scan. Any viruses or problems will be found and eliminated.
To avoid this, ensure that your anti-virus is always updated so that it can provide complete protection.
4. Ensure You Have Adequate Disk Space
It is recommended that you have at least 1GB of free disk space on the drive at all times. In case the reason behind the Blue Screen of death error is inadequate disk space, start by emptying the recycle bin. Additionally, you can try to clear up space in your Downloads folder. Also, delete caches and uninstall any unnecessary applications to create space on your disk.
5.Update Drivers
An old driver or an incorrectly installed driver can lead to BSOD issues. Keep your drivers up to date and uninstall and install any drivers that may be causing problems. Make sure your system notifications have been turned on so that you can be alerted about any new versions of the drivers. Also, if any recently updated drivers are causing problems, then you can try reverting back to the previous version.
6. Reinstall Windows
If all of the above options fail, you can try to reinstall Windows. It will completely remove all the existing software in your system and you will get back to all the default settings. If the blue screen is not fixed even after this, then there is certainly a hardware problem with the computer.
Bonus Tips
How To Recover Lost Photos After The BSOD Error
Do not fret if the dreaded BSOD has already happened. Your data is still there in the system, the only problem is – you cannot access it.
In order to recover deleted videos and photos, you can use photo recovery software. To recover, you need to disconnect your hard drive and connect it to another system which is functioning properly. Then, download and install the software to that system. You can opt for full recovery or partial recovery if you are only looking for some specific files. Then scan and recover these files to your desired location.
