--- title: "Fix blue screen (stop code) errors in Windows 11 and Windows 10" canonical: https://saasranked.com/guides/blue-screen-errors/ applies_to: Windows 11, Windows 10 checked: 2026-09-20 (against Microsoft's documentation) updated: 2026-09-20 --- # Fix blue screen (stop code) errors in Windows 11 and Windows 10 Error: `Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart.` - The stop code, such as PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, appears at the bottom of the blue screen [1]. - Microsoft's analysis found that 70% of stop errors are caused by third-party driver code and 10% by hardware issues [5]. - Microsoft suggests keeping 10% to 15% of the drive free, because Windows needs space for swap files [1]. - System Restore reverts system files, registry settings and installed programs to a restore point without affecting personal files [4]. - Small memory dump files are saved in %SystemRoot%\Minidump [5]. A blue screen that says "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart" is a stop code error, also called a bug check [1]. A hardware device, its driver or software can cause it [1]. One restart usually solves it. If it keeps happening, remove new hardware, check Device Manager, free up space and install updates [1]. Then undo recent changes with System Restore [4]. ## What the error means When a serious problem occurs, Windows can shut down or restart on its own. You briefly see "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart." [1] Microsoft also calls this a stop code error, a bug check, a kernel error or a blue screen error [1]. Windows stops on purpose when something could compromise security or corrupt the system or your data [5]. A hardware device, its driver or software can cause it [1]. The screen shows a stop code, such as PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT [1]. If available, it also shows the name of the module that was running [1]. Note both before the PC restarts. ## Before you start - If the blue screen appeared only once, you may not need to do anything. In most cases the restart resolves the problem [1]. - If Windows won't start normally, you can do the remaining steps from safe mode [1]. - If your device is encrypted with BitLocker, have your recovery key ready. You need it for Startup Settings and for System Restore in Windows RE [2][4]. - Startup Settings and System Restore both restart the PC, so save your work [2][4]. ## Fixes 1. **Remove any new hardware.** If you added hardware before the error, shut down your PC, remove the hardware and restart [1]. 2. **Start in safe mode if Windows won't start.** Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers [2]. First open the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). In **Settings**, select **System** > **Recovery**, then select **Restart now** next to **Advanced startup** [3]. If Windows can't start, hold the power button as soon as the logo appears, two times; on the third start, select **Advanced options** on the **Automatic Repair** screen [3]. In Windows RE, select **Troubleshoot** > **Advanced options** > **Startup Settings** > **Restart** [2]. After the restart, press 4 or F4 for safe mode, or 5 or F5 for **Safe Mode with Networking** [5]. 3. **Check Device Manager.** Right-click the **Start** button and select **Device Manager** [1]. Look for devices marked with an exclamation point (!). Right-click the device and select **Update driver** [1]. If updating the driver doesn't help, try disabling or uninstalling the device [1]. 4. **Check free space on the hard drive.** Windows and some apps need free space for swap files and other work [1]. The exact need varies, but Microsoft suggests keeping 10% to 15% free [1]. 5. **Install the latest updates.** In Windows 11, select **Start** > **Settings** > **Windows Update**, then select **Check for updates** [1]. In Windows 10, select **Start** > **Settings** > **Update & Security** > **Windows Update**, then select **Check for Windows updates** [1]. 6. **Undo recent changes with System Restore.** System Restore can undo software installs, driver updates and settings changes without affecting your personal files [4]. In **Control Panel**, select **Recovery** and choose **Open System Restore**. Or press Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe and press Enter [4]. Select **Next**, pick a restore point, then select **Next** and **Finish** [4]. Windows restarts when the restore point is applied [4]. If Windows won't start, open Windows RE and select **Troubleshoot** > **Advanced options** > **System Restore** [4]. ## If nothing works If Windows keeps restarting with the same stop code, Microsoft has advanced steps for IT professionals and advanced users [1]. They start with the stop code in the event logs [5]. Next, update the BIOS and firmware and run hardware and memory tests [5]. If the stop error names a driver, ask that hardware or software vendor for an update [5]. Some stop codes have their own advice. For PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, Microsoft suggests this command to detect and repair disk errors [5]. Run it in a Command Prompt opened with **Run as administrator** [7]: ```cmd chkdsk /f /r ``` On the system drive, you need to restart before the disk scan begins [5]. For SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION, Microsoft points to the System File Checker, which repairs missing or corrupted system files [5]. For deeper analysis, Windows can save a memory dump. A small memory dump goes to %SystemRoot%\Minidump, and the other dump types go to %SystemRoot%\MEMORY.DMP [5]. Microsoft's Bug Check Code Reference describes each stop code [6]. If none of this helps, Microsoft's Recovery options in Windows page lists other ways to restore the PC [1]. ## Questions **Do I need to do anything after a single blue screen?** Usually not. In most cases the restart resolves the problem [1]. Troubleshoot when Windows restarts often with the same stop code [1]. **Where can I look up a stop code?** Microsoft's Bug Check Code Reference lists stop codes by number and name, such as 0x00000050 for PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA [6]. It is written for programmers; Microsoft points other readers to its blue screen troubleshooting page [6]. **Will System Restore delete my files?** No. System Restore undoes changes without affecting your personal files [4]. It does return system files, registry settings and installed programs to the state they were in at the restore point [4]. **What if my PC is encrypted with BitLocker?** You need your BitLocker recovery key to change startup settings or run System Restore from the Windows Recovery Environment [2][4]. ## Sources 1. [Troubleshooting Windows unexpected restarts and stop code errors](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/resolving-blue-screen-errors-in-windows-60b01860-58f2-be66-7516-5c45a66ae3c6), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-09-20 2. [Windows startup settings](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-09-20 3. [Windows recovery environment](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-recovery-environment-0eb14733-6301-41cb-8d26-06a12b42770b), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-09-20 4. [System Restore](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/system-restore-a5ae3ed9-07c4-fd56-45ee-096777ecd14e), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-09-20 5. [Stop code error or bug check troubleshooting](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/performance/stop-code-error-troubleshooting), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-09-20 6. [Bug Check Code Reference](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/bug-check-code-reference2), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-09-20 7. [Troubleshoot problems updating Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshoot-problems-updating-windows-188c2b0f-10a7-d72f-65b8-32d177eb136c), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-09-20 Checked against Microsoft's documentation on 20 Sept 2026.