Resolving stop (blue screen) errors in Windows 7
Stop errors (also sometimes called blue screen or black screen errors) can occur if a serious problem causes Windows 7 to shut down or restart unexpectedly. You might see a message that says, "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer."
These errors can be caused by both hardware and software issues, and it can be difficult to troubleshoot the problem. The following tools and methods can often help get Windows up and running again.
If you can start WindowsThese tools and methods can help you roll back your system to an earlier state, and help ensure your computer has the latest updates installed.
Undo recent changes using System Restore
System Restore is the easiest thing to try first. It can undo recent changes to your computer's system files that might have caused the problem. System Restore doesn't affect your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos.
To open System Restore
- Open System Restore by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- Follow the instructions on your screen.
Windows creates a report when certain hardware or software problems occur. Action Center can check whether there's a solution to a reported problem.
To check for solutions
- Open Action Center by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, and then, under System and Security, clicking Review your computer's status.
- Click Maintenance.
- Under Check for solutions to problem reports, click Check for solutions. Windows will notify you if there are any solutions to problems available for your computer.
- Some problems and solutions can only be viewed and fixed by an administrator. Log on using an administrator account to view these problems.
Check Windows Update for software updates
Recent updates from Microsoft might help fix the problem. Windows Update helps keep your computer up to date with the latest system updates and drivers. You can check Windows Update manually to help ensure you have the latest updates to Windows 7 installed.
To check for updates
If you recently installed a hardware device, such as a sound card or video card, an incorrect or improperly installed device driver might be causing the problem.
Make sure you have the latest driver for the device installed. You can typically find drivers on the device manufacturer's website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you can usually just double-click the file to begin the installation.
If a driver isn't self-installing, follow these steps:
To update a driverYou must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.
Safe mode starts Windows in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started, which can help you troubleshoot software problems.
For example, if a program runs as soon as you start Windows and can't be shut down, you can start Windows in safe mode, and then try to uninstall the program.
To start your computer in safe mode
When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your screen. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.
Check your computer for hard disk and memory errors
Some errors can be caused by problems with your computer's hard disk or random access memory (RAM), rather than problems with Windows or other software running on your computer.
Windows 7 includes tools that can help identify and fix certain hardware-related errors. Serious errors might require you to contact the hardware manufacturer for support. For more information, see Check a drive for errors and Diagnosing memory problems on your computer.
To check for hard disk errors
To check for memory problems
Several of the following tools are located on the System Recovery Options menu. This menu is preinstalled on your computer's hard disk, and is also on the Windows 7 installation media.
When attempting to recover Windows:
Recent updates from Microsoft might help fix the problem. Windows Update helps keep your computer up to date with the latest system updates and drivers. You can check Windows Update manually to help ensure you have the latest updates to Windows 7 installed.
To check for updates
- Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.
- In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
- If you see a message telling you that updates are available, or telling you to review updates, click the message to view and select the updates.
- In the list, click an update for more information. Select the check boxes for any updates that you want to install, and then click OK.
- Click Install updates.
Read and accept the license terms, and then click Finish if the update requires it. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
If you recently installed a hardware device, such as a sound card or video card, an incorrect or improperly installed device driver might be causing the problem.
Make sure you have the latest driver for the device installed. You can typically find drivers on the device manufacturer's website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you can usually just double-click the file to begin the installation.
If a driver isn't self-installing, follow these steps:
To update a driverYou must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.
- Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you want to update, and then double-click the device name.
- Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Safe mode starts Windows in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started, which can help you troubleshoot software problems.
For example, if a program runs as soon as you start Windows and can't be shut down, you can start Windows in safe mode, and then try to uninstall the program.
To start your computer in safe mode
- Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Shut Down button , and then click Restart. - Do one of the following:
- If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
- If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
- If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
- On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter.
- Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.
When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your screen. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.
Check your computer for hard disk and memory errors
Some errors can be caused by problems with your computer's hard disk or random access memory (RAM), rather than problems with Windows or other software running on your computer.
Windows 7 includes tools that can help identify and fix certain hardware-related errors. Serious errors might require you to contact the hardware manufacturer for support. For more information, see Check a drive for errors and Diagnosing memory problems on your computer.
To check for hard disk errors
- Open Computer by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Computer.
- Right-click the drive that you want to check, and then click Properties.
- Click the Tools tab, and then, under Error-checking, click Check now. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- To automatically repair problems with files and folders that the scan detects, select Automatically fix file system errors. Otherwise, the disk check will report problems but not fix them.
- To perform a thorough check, select Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. This scan attempts to find and repair physical errors on the drive itself, and it can take much longer to complete.
- To check for both file errors and physical errors, select both Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.
- To automatically repair problems with files and folders that the scan detects, select Automatically fix file system errors. Otherwise, the disk check will report problems but not fix them.
- Click Start.
To check for memory problems
- Open Memory Diagnostics Tool by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type Memory, and then click Diagnose your computer's memory problems. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- Choose when to run the tool. If you choose to restart your computer and run the tool immediately, make sure that you save your work and close all of your running programs. The Memory Diagnostics Tool will run automatically when you restart Windows.
Several of the following tools are located on the System Recovery Options menu. This menu is preinstalled on your computer's hard disk, and is also on the Windows 7 installation media.
When attempting to recover Windows:
- If you use a Tablet PC or other computer with a touchscreen, you might need to connect a keyboard and mouse in order to use Startup Repair and the other tools in the System Recovery Options menu.
- If Windows 7 came preinstalled on your computer, your computer manufacturer might have included other recovery options. For more information, refer to the documentation that came with your computer, or go to the manufacturer's website.