Fix blue screen (stop code) errors in Windows 11 and Windows 10

What the error means

When a serious problem occurs, Windows can shut down or restart on its own. You briefly see "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart."¹ Microsoft also calls this a stop code error, a bug check, a kernel error or a blue screen error¹. Windows stops on purpose when something could compromise security or corrupt the system or your data⁵.

A hardware device, its driver or software can cause it¹. The screen shows a stop code, such as PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT¹. If available, it also shows the name of the module that was running¹. Note both before the PC restarts.

Before you start

• If the blue screen appeared only once, you may not need to do anything. In most cases the restart resolves the problem¹.
• If Windows won't start normally, you can do the remaining steps from safe mode¹.
• If your device is encrypted with BitLocker, have your recovery key ready. You need it for Startup Settings and for System Restore in Windows RE^2,4.
• Startup Settings and System Restore both restart the PC, so save your work^2,4.

Fixes

1. Remove any new hardware. If you added hardware before the error, shut down your PC, remove the hardware and restart¹.

2. Start in safe mode if Windows won't start. Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers². First open the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). In Settings, select System > Recovery, then select Restart now next to Advanced startup³. If Windows can't start, hold the power button as soon as the logo appears, two times; on the third start, select Advanced options on the Automatic Repair screen³. In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart². After the restart, press 4 or F4 for safe mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking⁵.

3. Check Device Manager. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager¹. Look for devices marked with an exclamation point (!). Right-click the device and select Update driver¹. If updating the driver doesn't help, try disabling or uninstalling the device¹.

4. Check free space on the hard drive. Windows and some apps need free space for swap files and other work¹. The exact need varies, but Microsoft suggests keeping 10% to 15% free¹.

5. Install the latest updates. In Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Windows Update, then select Check for updates¹. In Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then select Check for Windows updates¹.

6. Undo recent changes with System Restore. System Restore can undo software installs, driver updates and settings changes without affecting your personal files⁴. In Control Panel, select Recovery and choose Open System Restore. Or press Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe and press Enter⁴. Select Next, pick a restore point, then select Next and Finish⁴. Windows restarts when the restore point is applied⁴. If Windows won't start, open Windows RE and select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore⁴.

If nothing works

If Windows keeps restarting with the same stop code, Microsoft has advanced steps for IT professionals and advanced users¹. They start with the stop code in the event logs⁵. Next, update the BIOS and firmware and run hardware and memory tests⁵. If the stop error names a driver, ask that hardware or software vendor for an update⁵.

Some stop codes have their own advice. For PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, Microsoft suggests this command to detect and repair disk errors⁵. Run it in a Command Prompt opened with Run as administrator⁷:

chkdsk /f /r

On the system drive, you need to restart before the disk scan begins⁵. For SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, Microsoft points to the System File Checker, which repairs missing or corrupted system files⁵.

For deeper analysis, Windows can save a memory dump. A small memory dump goes to %SystemRoot%\Minidump, and the other dump types go to %SystemRoot%\MEMORY.DMP⁵. Microsoft's Bug Check Code Reference describes each stop code⁶. If none of this helps, Microsoft's Recovery options in Windows page lists other ways to restore the PC¹.

Questions

Do I need to do anything after a single blue screen?

Usually not. In most cases the restart resolves the problem¹. Troubleshoot when Windows restarts often with the same stop code¹.

Where can I look up a stop code?

Microsoft's Bug Check Code Reference lists stop codes by number and name, such as 0x00000050 for PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA⁶. It is written for programmers; Microsoft points other readers to its blue screen troubleshooting page⁶.

Will System Restore delete my files?

No. System Restore undoes changes without affecting your personal files⁴. It does return system files, registry settings and installed programs to the state they were in at the restore point⁴.

What if my PC is encrypted with BitLocker?

You need your BitLocker recovery key to change startup settings or run System Restore from the Windows Recovery Environment^2,4.

20 Sept 2026: Published.