The “blue screen of death” is a worrying sight for a PC owner. The notorious blue error message typically signifies a serious issue which will likely demand the attention of a computer repair expert. While it’s important to get a professional opinion to determine the cause of the screen, here’s a quick guide to help you figure out what could have prompted yours.

A Guide to the “Blue Screen of Death”

What Does It Mean?

This screen indicates conflicts within the Windows® operating system and could be the signal of a complete crash. The problem could be related to the hardware, temperature, viruses, or corrupt registries. While the screen is never a welcome sight, it’s actually used to prevent further damage from occurring. When Windows encounters an issue that prompts it to stop, it becomes frozen, and the computer must be restarted to function again.  

What Could Be Causing It?

There are many specific issues which can contribute to the blue screen of death, and these factors can also vary by your era of Windows. For example, in the Windows 9x era, bugs in the operating system often cause the screen. In any version, the screen can be caused by problems with low-level software which takes care of rudimentary processes. Other common causes of the blue screen of death include faulty memory, power supply problems, overheating of the computer components, or hardware running beyond its limits.

What Should I Do?

You’ll have to restart your computer, but you’ll, unfortunately, lose any unsaved data. After the alert is issued, your computer will automatically create a file with information about the crash. You can find this upon restarting in your Windows Event Viewer. Find maintenance recommendations in the “System and Security” section of your PC. These messages may advise you to install updated drivers, scan for malware, or ultimately, reinstall Windows.

To minimize your risk of losing important data, it’s advisable that you take your PC into a computer repair specialist. These professionals are well-versed in handling the blue screen and restoring PCs to their optimal functionality. Computer repair technicians know how to read and interpret information in the Windows Event Viewer, troubleshoot to determine the underlying problem, and use conservative approaches to provide a lasting fix.

If you’ve encountered the blue screen of death on your PC and are seeking an experienced computer repair team to resolve it, contact RadioActive in Kalispell, MT. This team of experts has more than 60 years of combined experience in computer viruses, hardware issues, and other computer malfunctions. Contact their team online or call (406) 257-5999 to find out how they can help improve your system’s performance.