Is the BSoD Serious? Can it Damage my Computer?

Keelan Balderson

The Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) is a Windows screen displayed when the system encounters an error and must shut down to prevent damage.

It gets its name because it typically shows a blue background with white text containing an error code and a message describing the cause of the error.

Blue screen of death BSoD

It is a critical Windows error, in that the whole operating system must reboot, but BSoD can be repaired and doesn’t usually result in long-term damage.

What are the main causes of BSoD?

Some of the main reasons you might get a BSoD are:

  • Failing hardware or new hardware that hasn’t been installed properly.
  • Overheating hardware components or core temperatures.
  • Outdated or incompatible hardware drivers.
  • Bad software or corrupt software updates.
  • Malware and viruses.
  • Damaged or missing Windows system files and DLLs.
  • Damaged or corrupt Windows registry entries and keys.

Windows will usually show an error code and a bit more about the problem to help you fix it.

Is BSoD something to worry about?

It can be alarming when you get the BSoD, especially when it interrupts something important like work or gaming. While it does mean something is wrong with your system that needs to be fixed as soon as possible, it’s important to understand these two things:

  • The BSoD is Windows’ way of protecting your computer from damage.
  • It can be fixed by following the error code or using a Windows repair tool.

For most people, the BSoD is not a major concern and can be repaired. Sometimes it’s a freak occurrence and only happens one time.

That being said, if the error is caused by failing hardware, you may need to spend money to replace it. In some cases, the BSoD could cause data loss if your hard drive is beyond repair, and you don’t have backups.

How do I fix BSoD errors?

It can take a long time to properly diagnose and fix the BSoD, especially if there is no error code. The common approach is to:

  • Remove any newly installed hardware.
  • Unplug external devices one by one.
  • Check for device errors in Windows Device Manager.
  • Use Windows tools like Event Viewer, Memory Diagnostic, and CHKDSK, to check your system, hard drive, or memory for BSoD errors.
  • Scan for viruses.
  • Use Windows System Restore.
  • Repair Windows using Boot Media.

You can significantly cut the time it takes to solve the BSoD by using Fortect, which combines many of these other methods into one helpful tool. 

Firstly, it summarizes your hardware and overall system performance, so you can see where hardware might be failing or can simply be improved.

For example, if total memory is incorrect or you’re using a large percentage of it, this might be the cause of the BSoD. 

Secondly, it lists all programs that have recently crashed and the issues that can be fixed. This will solve any software-related problems behind the BSoD.

Fortect BSoD registry repair

Fortect’s most powerful feature is a deep scan of the Windows registry. This detects outdated drivers, missing or corrupt DLLs, and issues with other vital system files.

When you proceed with the repair process, it replaces all these files with fresh versions from its up-to-date database. 

You can even scan for viruses, malware, and malicious software, which can also sometimes cause the BSoD. 

Note: If your BSoD error occurs during or shortly after booting, you may wish to boot in safe mode before using Fortect.

  1. Download and install Fortect on your PC.
  2. Accept the scan when launching, which takes no longer than 5 minutes.
  3. Click ‘Start Repair‘ to start fixing Windows.

Conclusion

The BSoD is a serious error because you cannot run your system without fixing it. However, tools like Fortect let you quickly find all Windows-related problems and repair them with a click of a button. 

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About the author
Keelan Balderson
About the author | Keelan Balderson
Keelan is a trained journalist from the UK with a passion for all things tech and security. He likes to dig into the latest tools and software to see what really works, so others can make an informed choice.

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