3 min fix · Related: Computer Repair
Windows Blue Screen (BSOD)
Stop codes without the panic. What to photograph, the 2 safe reboots, and when the drive is telling you goodbye.
Windows Blue Screen (BSOD) — Symptom Check
- Blue screen with :( and a stop code
- Restarts in a loop
- Started after an update or new hardware
1. Photograph the stop code
Before it reboots, snap the QR/stop code (e.g. MEMORY_MANAGEMENT). That one line tells a tech whether it's RAM, drivers, or disk — and saves a paid diagnostic hour.
2. Undo the last change
New RAM, dock, or update right before it started? Remove it / roll back the update from Safe Mode. Most BSODs trace to the most recent change.
3. Test memory and disk
Windows Memory Diagnostic + chkdsk. Errors here mean hardware — stop using it for anything important until it's backed up.
Windows Blue Screen (BSOD) — When to Call a Pro
- Looping crashes or Windows won't reach the desktop.
- You smell burning, hear clicking, or see drive errors.
- Business machine with no backup — we prioritize data first.
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