Windows Troubleshooting

Blue screen (BSOD) troubleshooting basics

Decode blue screens — capture the stop code, check recent changes, and fix drivers before replacing hardware.

15 min read Intermediate Updated 9 Jun 2026

Step-by-step guide

Work through each section in order. Stop when your issue is resolved — you do not need every step for every situation.

Warning

Use an administrator account for these steps, and keep a recent backup before making repair or security changes.

What you will achieve

Decode blue screens — capture the stop code, check recent changes, and fix drivers before replacing hardware.

1) Capture evidence first

  • Note stop code and faulting driver shown on BSOD screen.
  • Check C:\Windows\Minidump exists and recent dump files are present.

2) Correlate with recent changes

Review new drivers, BIOS updates, RAM changes, and overclock settings made before crashes started.

3) Run integrity and memory checks

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
mdsched.exe

Related guides

bsod drivers stop code