Blue Screen (BSOD)

Blue Screen (BSOD)

Use this when: The screen turns blue (or black) with a sad face and a “stop code”, and the PC restarts itself.

Steps

Do this

What should happen

1. Read and note the stop code — the text after “stop code:”, for example CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED.

This is the single most useful thing for us. Photograph the screen if you can.

2. Let it restart on its own.

A one-off blue screen after which everything is fine is usually nothing to chase.

3. Note what you were doing and whether anything changed recently — a new app, a new device, an update.

Blue screens usually trace to a driver, a device, or an update.

4. If it happens once and does not return, carry on and keep an eye on it.

Isolated blue screens happen. A pattern is what matters.

5. If it recurs, unplug recently added devices (a new dock, adapter, or USB device) and see if it stops.

Isolates a faulty peripheral or its driver.

If that did not work

It blue-screens repeatedly or in a loop. Log a HIGH ticket with the stop code. If it will not stay up, see “Windows Will Not Start”.

It started right after a new device or update. Say so in the ticket — that usually names the cause.

The same stop code appears each time. Include it exactly; it points straight at the fault.

Log a ticket

MEDIUM — Same day — Blue screens more than once. HIGH if it is looping or will not stay running. Always include the stop code.


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