How to remove a blue screen on a laptop yourself: 7 working methods

Blue screen of death (BSOD) on a laptop is one of the most frightening errors for users. It appears suddenly, interrupts work and is often accompanied by strange code like CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. Many people immediately think about expensive repairs, but in 80% of cases the problem can be solved on their own - without going to a service center.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons blue screen - from driver conflicts to processor overheating, and we’ll also give step by step instructions for diagnostics and troubleshooting. We will pay special attention to laptops ASUS ROG, Lenovo Legion, HP Pavilion And Acer Predator, since their owners more often than others encounter BSOD due to the specifics of the cooling and pre-installed software.

Before you begin repairs, remember: A blue screen is not a death sentence, but a signal from the system about a critical error that can be read and corrected. Even if the laptop reboots in a loop, the chances of recovery without data loss remain high.

1. Decoding the BSOD error code: what the numbers and letters mean

Each blue screen contains a unique stop code (For example, KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED or SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED), which indicates a specific problem. These codes are divided into 4 categories:

• 🔹 Hardware failures: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR, MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION - indicate problems with the processor, RAM or motherboard.
• 🔹 Driver problems: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE - hardware management software is to blame (most often the video driver NVIDIA or AMD).
• 🔹 System errors: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION - Windows files are damaged or there is a service conflict.
• 🔹 Disk errors: NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM, KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR — problems with the hard drive or SSD.

How to read the code if the laptop reboots too quickly? Turn on disabling automatic reboot:

1. While Windows is loading, hold Shift + press Reboot in the food menu.
2. Select Troubleshooting → Advanced Options → Boot Options → Restart.
3. After restart, press F9 (or 6) to disable automatic reboot.

Now at the next BSOD you will have time to take a photo of the screen or write down the code. For decryption, use the official tool Microsoft — Stop code database.

2. Top 5 causes of blue screen on laptops (and how to diagnose them)

According to service centers, 65% of BSODs on laptops occur due to five key problems. Go through this checklist to narrow your search:

If laptop ASUS TUF or Lenovo ThinkPad gives BSOD when connected to a docking station - the problem is a conflict between USB controllers. Try disconnecting all external devices and check if the error goes away.

⚠️ Attention: If a blue screen appears with the code VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE after driver update NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon, never install the driver via GeForce Experience — download it directly from the manufacturer’s website and select the “Clean Install” option.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the blue screen in 10 minutes

Start with the simplest and safest methods. If the laptop boots (even with errors), follow this algorithm:

1. Disconnect all peripheral devices (mouse, keyboard, external drives, printers). BSODs are often caused by conflicts with USB devices or faulty hubs.
2. Boot into Safe Mode:

   1. На экране входа в систему удерживайте Shift + нажмите "Перезагрузка".
   2. Выберите "Поиск и устранение неисправностей" → "Дополнительные параметры" → "Параметры загрузки" → "Перезагрузить".
   3. После рестарта нажмите F4 (или 4) для безопасного режима.

3. Roll back or update your drivers:
   1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → "Device Manager").
   2. Expand the "Video adapters" branch, right-click on your video card and select "Properties" → "Roll back driver".
   3. If the button is inactive, download the driver from the website NVIDIA/AMD/Intel and install it manually.
4. Check the integrity of system files:

   sfc /scannow
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

   These commands will repair damaged Windows files. The process may take 10–30 minutes.

5. Update BIOS (for advanced users only!):

   Outdated BIOS can cause BSOD on laptops HP Omen And Dell Alienware. Download the current version from the manufacturer’s website and follow the instructions (usually you need to run the EXE file from Windows or create a bootable USB flash drive).

If after these steps the blue screen disappears, the problem is solved. If not, continue to the next section.

4. Hardware diagnostics: how to check RAM, disk and processor

If software methods do not help, the problem lies in the hardware. Let's start with the most vulnerable component - RAM.

4.1 Random access memory (RAM) test

To check, use the built-in Windows tool or utility MemTest86:

1. Built-in Windows test:

   1. Нажмите Win + R, введите mdsched.exe и нажмите Enter.
   2. Выберите "Выполнить перезагрузку и проверку".
   3. После рестарта дождитесь завершения теста (обычно 1–2 прохода).

2. MemTest86 (for deep testing):
   1. Download the utility from the official website and create a bootable USB flash drive.
   2. Boot from the flash drive (in the BIOS, select it as the first boot device).
   3. Run the test for 4-8 passes. If errors appear (even 1), the RAM stick is faulty.

If the test shows errors, try removing the RAM sticks one by one (if there are several of them) and testing the laptop with one. On Lenovo IdeaPad And Acer Swift The memory is usually accessed through the bottom cover (unscrew the screws and carefully pry up the latches).

4.2 Checking the hard drive/SSD

To diagnose the disk use:

• 🔧 CrystalDiskInfo — will show the SMART status and temperature of the disk. Pay attention to the parameters:
  • Reallocated Sectors Count (should be 0 or close to it),
  • Current Pending Sector (if more than 0, the disk begins to “crumble”),
  • Uncorrectable Error Count (critical if the value increases).
• 🔧 Victoria HDD — for deep scanning for bad sectors (use the mode Remap to restore bad sectors).
• 🔧 Command line:

  chkdsk C: /f /r

  (replace C: to the letter of your system drive).

If the disk shows errors, backup your data immediately - it can fail at any moment. On laptops HP Spectre And Dell XPS there are often problems with PCIe drives Toshiba And SK Hynix - it is better to replace them with Samsung 970 EVO or WD Black SN850.

4.3 CPU temperature monitoring

Overheating is the bane of gaming laptops (ASUS ROG Strix, MSI GE76). To check:

1. Install HWMonitor or ThrottleStop.
2. Run a stress test (eg Prime95 or FurMark).
3. Monitor the temperature:
   • Up to 80°C is normal.
   • 80–90°C – critical (needs cleaning).
   • Above 90°C - emergency shutdown (risk of damage to the processor).

If the temperature is above normal:

• 🧹 Clean the cooling system (remove the bottom cover, remove dust with a brush and blow out the fan).
• 🔄 Replace thermal paste (for processors Intel Core i7/i9 And AMD Ryzen 7/9 recommended Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Noctua NT-H2).
• 🔥 Install a cooling pad (such as Cooler Master NotePal X3).

⚠️ Attention: On laptops Apple MacBook Pro (with processors M1/M2) and Microsoft Surface Disassembly for cleaning will void the warranty. In this case, contact an authorized service center.

5. System Restore and Reset Windows to Factory Settings

If all the previous methods did not help, there are two radical options left: system recovery or full reset.

5.1 Recovering via a rollback point

This method will return the system to the state on the date when the BSOD had not yet appeared.

1. Boot into safe mode (as described above).
2. Open Control Panel → Recovery → Run System Restore.
3. Select a rollback point 3-7 days before the blue screen occurs.
4. Confirm the action and wait for completion (the laptop will reboot).

If there are no rollback points or recovery did not help, proceed to reset.

5.2 Reset Windows 10/11 to factory settings

This method will remove all programs, but keep personal files (if you select the appropriate option).

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
2. Click "Get Started" under "Reset your computer."
3. Select:
   • Save my files — only programs and settings will be deleted.
   • Delete everything — complete disk cleanup (recommended if you plan to sell your laptop).

After reset:

• 🔄 Install drivers manually (chipset first, then video, sound, network).
• 🛡️ Disable automatic driver updates via gpedit.msc (for Windows Pro) or DriverStore Explorer.
• 📥 Restore your data from a backup (if you made one in advance).

On laptops with Windows pre-installed (for example, Lenovo Vantage or HP Support Assistant) after the reset, you may need to reinstall proprietary utilities for the function keys to work correctly (Fn) and touchpad.

6. When you can’t do without a service center: signs of serious breakdowns

If you have tried all the methods, but the blue screen continues to appear, the problem may be hardware failure, which cannot be eliminated on your own. Contact the service if:

• 💥Laptop won't turn on after BSOD (no response to the power button, indicators do not light up).
• 🔥Appears burning smell or you can see melted elements on the motherboard.
• 🖥️ Blue screen occurs even in BIOS (before Windows boots).
• 🔌 Laptop turns off when connected to the network (problem with the power controller).
• 🎮 Appear on the screen artifacts (strips, flickering, distortion) to BSOD - this is a sign of a faulty video card.

The cost of repair depends on the diagnosis:

For laptops Apple MacBook And Microsoft Surface repairs are more expensive due to proprietary components. For example, replacing the keyboard with MacBook Pro 2018–2019 costs 15,000–25,000 ₽, and screen repair Surface Pro 7 — 20 000–35 000 ₽.

⚠️ Attention: If the laptop is under warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty. Contact the brand's official service center (ASUS, Lenovo, HP etc.) with a receipt and box.

7. BSOD Prevention: How to Prevent Blue Screens in the Future

To prevent the blue screen from appearing again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Update your drivers regularly, but not through Windows Update, and from the official sites:
  • Video card: NVIDIA or AMD.
  • Sound: Realtek.
  • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Intel or Qualcomm.
• 🛡️ Disable automatic driver updates:

  1. Нажмите Win + R, введите gpedit.msc (для Windows Pro).
  2. Перейдите в Конфигурация компьютера → Административные шаблоны → Система → Установка устройства → Ограничения на установку устройств.
  3. Включите параметр "Запретить установку устройств, не описанных другими параметрами политики".

• 🧹 Clean your laptop from dust every 6 months (or more often if you use it for gaming/rendering).
• 🔋 Monitor your battery health:
  • Do not keep the laptop constantly connected to the network (discharge the battery to 20–30% once a week).
  • Use the original power supply.
  • For Lenovo And Dell install the utility Lenovo Vantage/Dell Power Manager for charge control.
• 📦 Back up regularly:
  • Use Macrium Reflect or built-in utility File history.
  • Store copies on an external drive or in the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Disk).

For laptops with two video cards (NVIDIA Optimus or AMD Hybrid Graphics) disable discrete graphics in BIOS settings if you are not using it. This will reduce heat and the risk of BSOD.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about blue screen

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset