Frequent blue screens or random restarts? Here’s how to stop them.

Nothing ruins your day like a sudden Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or a mystery reboot—right in the middle of work, a Zoom call, or a boss-level fight. This guide walks you through safe, at-home checks to isolate whether it’s memory (RAM), drivers, or a Windows conflict—and exactly when to hand it to the pros at AEPC.

TL;DR (quick wins) ✅

• Start with memory: run Windows Memory Diagnostic; reseat RAM; avoid overclock/XMP during testing.

• Drivers next: use Windows Update and vendor tools (Intel/NVIDIA/AMD) to refresh critical drivers.

• Windows conflicts: uninstall recent apps/updates that coincide with crashes; check Event Viewer for patterns.

• Thermals & power: clean dust, ensure fans spin, and try another power outlet if possible.

• If BSODs persist: bring it in—hardware faults or deeper OS corruption need professional tools.

Why PCs BSOD or auto-restart

Most stability problems fall into one of these buckets:

1. Memory issues – faulty or poorly seated RAM; unstable XMP/EXPO profiles; mismatched sticks.

2. Driver faults – outdated, corrupted, or wrong-version drivers (GPU, storage, chipset, Wi-Fi).

3. Windows conflicts – recent updates, third-party security tools, or low-level utilities clashing.

4. Thermal/power – overheating CPU/GPU, failing PSUs, or marginal wall power.

5. Storage errors – bad sectors or failing SSD/HDD causing system file corruption.

Step-by-step: a safe, logical path

1) Rule out memory problems (RAM)

• Run Windows Memory Diagnostic (built-in): press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, choose Restart now.

• Reseat RAM (PC off, power cord unplugged): open the case only if you’re comfortable; remove and firmly reinstall sticks until the latches click.

• Test one stick at a time if you have two+.

• Disable XMP/EXPO in BIOS temporarily; test at default JEDEC speeds to check stability.

• Mixing kits? Even identical model numbers can behave differently; test with a single matched kit where possible.

Common BSOD codes that hint at memory/driver layers: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA.

2) Clean up and update drivers

• Windows Update first (Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates).

• Chipset & GPU drivers:

  • Intel Driver & Support Assistant for Intel platforms.

  • AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition for Radeon & AMD chipsets.

  • NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready/Studio Driver for GeForce cards.

• Storage & Wi-Fi: update via Device Manager or the official vendor utility.

• Avoid driver sweepers unless advised by a pro; they can remove needed components.

3) Check for Windows/software conflicts

• Timeline correlation: did crashes start after a new app, update, or peripheral? Uninstall or roll back.

• Event Viewer: Windows Logs → System; look for repeating Critical/ Error entries around crash times.

• Startup hygiene: disable non-essential startup apps (Task Manager → Startup).

• Security tools: running two antivirus products can cause clashes—keep one.

4) Thermals & power sanity check

• Airflow: ensure all fans spin, grills aren’t blocked, and the case is dust-free (especially after humid Auckland summers).

• Room power: try a different wall outlet; avoid daisy-chained cheap power boards.

• Laptop users: test on mains power with the original charger.

5) Storage & system integrity (safe checks)

• Free space: keep at least 20% free on the system drive.

• Disk check: File Explorer → Right-click C: → Properties → Tools → Check.

• System file check (basic): Settings → Recovery → Advanced startup → Startup Repair (safe, no command lines needed here).

Quick self-checks & tips (no tools needed)

• ✅ Happens under load only? (gaming/video export) Likely thermals or GPU driver.

• ✅ Happens when idle/sleep? Often chipset, storage, or power plan quirks.

• ✅ Only after you added new RAM? Revert to original sticks; if stable, new RAM needs matching/tuning.

• ✅ USB device plugged in? Remove hubs/printers/scanners to test.

• ✅ Wi-Fi drops around crashes? Update Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drivers.

Real Auckland cases we see at AEPC

• Howick home user: After adding a second 16 GB stick from a different kit, PC threw MEMORY_MANAGEMENT BSODs. Testing single-stick and disabling XMP fixed stability; we sourced a matched 32 GB kit and tuned timings—rock solid.

• Pakuranga small business: Random reboots on three office PCs. We found an outdated Intel Rapid Storage driver clashing with a Windows update. Updated chipset/storage drivers across the fleet—no more incidents.

• East Tāmaki gamer: VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE during games only. Thermal paste was dried, fans dust-clogged, and old GPU driver. After a deep clean, fresh paste, and current driver—stable frames again.

When to call a pro (don’t push it)

• BSODs persist after memory + driver + basic Windows checks.

• You see multiple different BSOD codes in a week.

• PC won’t complete a memory test or fails to boot intermittently.

• You’re not comfortable opening the case—or it’s a sealed ultrabook.

• Suspected PSU, motherboard, or SSD issues (specialised gear needed).

What we do at AEPC (our process)

1. No-obligation intake & chat – we note symptoms, timeline, and recent changes.

2. Hardware diagnostics – pro-grade RAM tests, PSU load checks, thermal imaging, SSD SMART health.

3. Driver & OS health – clean driver refresh, conflict isolation, stability validation under load and idle.

4. Parts sourcing – genuine, compatible RAM/SSD/PSU from trusted NZ channels.

5. Fix & optimise – stability fixes, BIOS sanity, airflow cleanup, and noise/thermal tuning.

6. Validation & warranty – multi-hour stress test + real-world usage checks, with repair warranty.

Prevention & best practices

• Keep drivers current via official utilities (Intel/NVIDIA/AMD).

• Avoid mixing RAM kits; buy matched kits sized for future growth.

• Leave a thermal margin: clean dust every 6–12 months.

• Create restore points before major updates.

• Use quality power boards with surge protection.

• Back up weekly—crashes can coincide with failing drives.

Ready for a calm, crash-free PC?

AEPC – Auckland East PC
📍 9/28 Torrens Road, Burswood, Auckland 2013
📞 0279-088880
📧 akleastpc@gmail.com
🕘 Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🕘 Sat & Sun: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (reservation required)

Walk-ins welcome on weekdays. Bookings recommended for weekends and urgent business jobs.

FAQ

Q1: My PC only BSODs when gaming. Is it my GPU?
Not always. GPU drivers and heat are common—but unstable RAM or a flaky PSU can crash under load too. Start with driver updates and a quick thermal clean.

Q2: Is XMP/EXPO safe?
Yes for supported kits, but it’s still an overclock. If you’re unstable, test at default speeds. If that fixes it, we can tune for stability.

Q3: Do I need to reinstall Windows to fix BSODs?
Usually not. Most cases resolve with driver, memory, or thermal fixes. Reinstall is a last resort after data backup.

Q4: What BSOD codes point to memory issues?
Common ones include MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA—but we always test to confirm.

Q5: Can dust really cause reboots?
Absolutely. Heat build-up can trip protection and restart your PC. A clean and fresh thermal paste can reduce temps dramatically.

Q6: I added RAM and now it crashes. Why?
Mixing kits or enabling XMP on mismatched sticks often triggers instability. Use a matched kit or let us tune timings/voltages safely.

Q7: My laptop restarts with no BSOD. Normal?
Some settings auto-restart on crash. We can enable dump capture and track the root cause without risky steps.