How To Fix Blue Screen of Death Windows 7
Getting a blue screen of death in Windows 7 is a common occurrence. It is so common, that it has been given the nickname “blue screen of death” or BSOD for short. Blue screens can vary, but they will almost always contain blue screens with white writing on them.
It can be a common occurrence, or happen suddenly. No matter the cause, Windows users are often annoyed by this as it can be an unexpected disturbance in workflow and a pretty big nuisance.
Luckily, users are not as worried when they see this as there are some ways to resolve this error.
Even though it is has been given the alarming name “blue screen of death” in many cases, there are ways to resolve this and get you right back to your day.
There are a number of easy steps to help you diagnose and repair BSOD for Windows 7.
In Windows 7, these error messages usually look like an old terminal screen and advise you that there is information being collected about what caused the crash.
What Causes Blue Screen of Death?
Blue screen Windows 7 errors happen when Windows experiences a critical failure and crashes. This can happen for a number of different reasons. It can be caused by hardware issues, software issues, driver issues or other apps crashing.
Windows 7 will produce what is known as a Stop message. From there, the only next step that Windows 7 can take is to restart your computer.
Programs do not have a chance to save the data during this process, which is one of the biggest issues when you experience a blue screen error.
When you see the blue screen of death, Windows is creating a small memory dump file after experiencing a crash.
The memory dump file can help you determine why Windows crashed. The file is meant to contain useful information to help you identify the reason you are experiencing BSOD.
Windows will attempt to provide you with information such as a list of loaded drivers, processor information and other details about the stop message.
This information can be helpful, but in some cases will require some technical knowledge in order to understand and diagnose the issue.
Although Windows will try to provide these details in small memory dump files, it may not always be easy to understand. Unfortunately, in many cases, the computer will restart too quickly before you have a chance to read the text within the error message.
To get information provided by Windows on memory dump files, you can visit their Windows support articles, you can also take some simple troubleshooting steps below.
Steps To Fix Blue Screen of Death Windows 7
Now that you know that you are experiencing BSOD with Windows 7, your next steps is to diagnose and troubleshoot.
Here are some ways to fix blue screen of death in Windows 7:
1. Install the latest drivers
2. Install updates
3. Run startup repair
4. System Restore
5. Fix memory or hard disk errors
6. Fix Master Boot Record
7. Reinstall Windows 7
1. Install the Latest Drivers
Having updated drivers can cause a variety of hurdles with your pc performance.
Drivers are important to your computer because they allow the operating system on your computer and other applications to connect and communicate with hardware.
Without updated drivers, your computer does not have the knowledge and resources to understand these connections.
Drivers can also be impacted by viruses on your computer.
There are a number of reasons you may want to update your drivers, not just in the case of blue screen Windows 7 issues.
You may need to update new drivers when you are installing video or audio options, games, printers or mouses.
Sometimes there may be new features added to existing hardware that will require a driver update.
This process can be done manually if you know which driver and operating system that you will need.
This process can be time-consuming and may require a bit of technical knowledge and time reading through instructions and putting the pieces together.
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2. Complete the simple setup and allow the software to run a free scan on your computer to detect all the drivers you may need to have updated, as well as other optimization opportunities to keep your computer running smoothly.
3. Click the green “fix it” button where prompted and register for a Driver Support Premium account.
2. Install Updates
A great way to fix and prevent Windows 7 blue screen of death is to regularly update your computer.
This is similar to updating your cell phone operating system to help with bugs, security and the latest features.
Getting security updates is generally a good practice for regular computer maintenance and provides you the latest version of the operating software you are using.
Windows 7 is not setup to update install updates automatically, like Windows 10 is. This means you have to do this manually if you have not reconfigured automatic update options.
To do this go to the start menu and find the “update & security” section. Next Click “Check for updates.” From there you can select and install updates.
3. Run Startup Repair
The startup repair function in Windows 7 is similar to other versions of Windows. This is a recovery tool used to fix any issues that may prevent Windows 7 from booting up correctly.
It is designed to find and fix missing or problematic files that are used to load Windows 7.
This function is ran automatically during startup if any issues are found during the startup cycle that prevent the computer from finishing the normal process.
If Windows 7 cannot complete this process automatically and start on it’s own, you will need to the Windows 7 boot disc that came with Windows 7.
It is important to make a system recovery backup prior to running startup repair. To start the repair, insert your system repair or installation CD and turn off your computer.
Wait about a minute, and turn your computer back on. You may need to configure BIOS to change the boot order for your PC.
You will need to know which computer model you have in order to do this, so you will have to research the steps from the computer manufacturer in some cases.
It will typically be one of the function keys at the top of your keyboard, but you will want to make sure you know which one first.
- If you have inserted the system repair disc, you will have access to the “startup repair” option right away.
- If you have inserted the Windows 7 installation disc, you will want to start by selecting your preferred language setting, and clicking on “repair your computer” and then choose “startup repair”
- Windows 7 will then scan your computer and alert you if any issues are found during the boot process. You may be asked some questions throughout the startup repair process, or your computer may restart. After the scan you may be notified to complete further research to fix your computer further.
- Remove the disc from your computer after the process has been completed.
4. System Restore
System restore provides you a backup of your computer prior to any changes being made.
Think of it as rolling back any change that you may have made recently to the restore point the computer was at before the change was made.
This gets you back to the point the computer was before you made the change.
This includes anything you recently installed or uninstalled, driver updates and other actions that could have been taken.
This will not usually impact your personal files, but it’s always a good idea to have important files backed up.
Keep in mind that if you recently changed your Windows password, a system restore may revert that change and an additional step may be needed.
- To start a system restore, go to your start menu and search for “system restore.” From there you can select the restore point of your choosing. From there you can select “scan for affected programs” and it will show a list of programs or drivers that were installed or uninstalled and revert that change for you. From there, select “finish” and your system will restore to the point prior to the change. It may take some time for the restore process to complete, but you will get a message with a timestamp to let you know the system has been restored to the version it was at with the date and time.
5. Fix Memory or Hard Disk Errors
Memory Errors
Memory errors can happen causing your computer to lose information or stop working. There are a variety of different things that can cause memory issues.
Windows has a memory diagnostic tool that tests the RAM in your computer to make sure everything is working correctly.
The diagnostic tool will run eight different memory tests and scan for different errors throughout the process.
- To begin running this diagnostic tool, go to your start menu and type “memory” and look for the “Windows Memory Diagnostic” option. Then select from one of the two options. You can choose whether to restart the computer and run the diagnostic now, or run it the next time you start your computer.
Hard Disc Errors
There are many issues that can cause your hard disc to fail. Some of the most common issues include physical damage from water, heat, or force.
Malware infections and corrupted files can also harm your hard disc.
Hard discs are part of the mechanical operations of the computer which means that they can also fall victim to normal wear and tear.
Hard discs can be subject to user error as well, if a user updates are alters certain files or installs the incorrect operating system.
- To find and fix some of these errors. Go to the start section of your computer and open windows explorer and find the computer section. From there, find the “hard disk drives” section. Right click on the drive that you want to check and choose “properties.” Once that pops up, select “tools” from the tab choices at the top. You will see “error-checking.” Click check now. In the check disk window, click “automatically fix file system errors.”
6. Fix Master Boot Record
Windows 7 blue screen of death can sometimes occur due to having trouble sending information to identify your operating system.
This can be fixed by adjusting your Master Boot Record and uses the same disc from the startup repair step.
- To fix the Master Boot Record, place the windows 7 installation disk into your computer and boot your computer. When options appear, select “Repair your computer.” From the options shown, select “command prompt.” When the command prompt loads, follow these steps:
Type: bootrec /rebuildbcd and hit enter
Type: bootrec /fixmbr and hit enter
Type: bootrec /fixboot and hit enter
Remove the disc and restart your computer.
7. Reinstall Windows 7
Because it runs so many functions and processes, windows 7 can slow down over time.
Having software on your computer that you are not using can be a factor as well as not performing regular computer maintenance to take care of your computer.
- To reinstall windows 7, use the same disc from the Startup Repair and Master Boot Record steps that came with Windows 7. Boot your computer once this disc has been inserted. Click the “install now” button underneath Windows 7. Follow the instructions from there.
We hope this guide has been helpful to help walk you through some of the more common Windows 7 BSOD errors and how to troubleshoot and fix your computer when you experience Windows blue screen of death for that specific operating system.
There can be a handful of reasons why you may be experiencing blue screen of death and these instructions may not handle your specific issue.
If you have a chance to gain more information from the error within the blue screen itself, it can help guide you on how to start troubleshooting your specific error.
