Blue Screen (BSOD) on Windows 11 — What to Do

Category: Windows 11 · Audience: Customers & Technicians · Est. time: 15–40 min

Summary

A blue screen ("Your device ran into a problem") is Windows protecting itself from a crash — usually a driver or hardware issue. A one‑off is rarely serious; repeated crashes need investigation.

Symptoms

• Blue screen with a sad face and a stop code (e.g. CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION)
• PC restarts unexpectedly, sometimes in a loop

Solution

1. Record the stop code. Note the text after "Stop code:" — it's the biggest clue. Photograph the screen if needed.
2. Let it restart, then update everything. Many BSODs are fixed by patches: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates, install all (including optional driver updates), reboot.
3. Undo recent changes. If the crashes started after new hardware, a driver, or an app — remove/uninstall it. For a recent driver, use Device Manager → the device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
4. Run hardware checks (Technician).

• Memory: search Windows Memory Diagnostic → Restart now and check.
• Disk: Terminal (Admin) → chkdsk /f /r (runs at next reboot).
• System files: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth then sfc /scannow.

1. Check the crash detail (Technician). Install BlueScreenView or open Reliability Monitor (search "reliability") to see which driver/module caused the crash.
2. Boot to Safe Mode if it won't start. Hold Shift while clicking Restart, or interrupt boot 3 times to reach Recovery → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Safe Mode, then remove the faulty driver/app.

If that doesn't work

• If a specific driver name keeps appearing in the crash, reinstall that driver from the manufacturer.
• Repeated MEMORY_MANAGEMENT/random codes often mean failing RAM — test with one stick at a time.
• Escalate to BBN Support with the stop code and what changed just before the crashes began.

Prevention

• Keep drivers and Windows updated; avoid unsigned/"driver booster" tools.