Blue Screen of Death: Why is my laptop or desktop showing a blue screen error? What’s the Blue Screen of Death error and how to troubleshoot it

Thousands of Windows users worldwide are encountering the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error, which causes systems to abruptly shut down or restart. Microsoft has identified a recent CrowdStrike update as the source of this issue. The bug has notably impacted several companies, banks, and government offices in the US and Australia.

Blue Screen Error Details:

Users on social media have shared images of their screens displaying a recovery message: “It looks like Windows didn’t load correctly. If you’d like to restart and try again, choose Restart my PC below.” The BSOD, also known as black screen errors or STOP code errors, appears when a critical issue forces Windows to shut down or restart unexpectedly. Users might see a notification such as, “Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.”

Also Read: Microsoft outage causes airlines to ground flights

What is the blue screen of death (BSOD)?

BSODs occur due to errors in driver software or hardware problems. A BSOD signifies a complete system failure at the Windows kernel level caused by issues with Windows drivers or hardware, rather than an application crash. Unlike browser crashes, which leave Windows running, a blue screen is rare from an app because apps operate at a higher level in the operating system.

Blue Screen Error Troubleshooting Steps:

Blue Screen errors can arise from both hardware and software problems. If a recent hardware installation led to the error, users should shut down their PC, remove the new hardware, and attempt a restart. If restarting is difficult, users can try starting their PC in safe mode. Detailed steps for booting into safe mode are available in Windows’ help guides.

Troubleshooting Additional Solutions:

Users should consider updating Windows with the latest patches through Windows Update. If these steps do not resolve the issue, additional assistance can be sought, or Windows can be restored to a previous restore point. The Blue Screen Troubleshooter, available in the Get Help app, can also provide guidance.

Microsoft is addressing the issue, and users are encouraged to follow these troubleshooting steps to mitigate the impact of the BSOD error.