Please follow and like us:

A Milwaukee Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing Blue Screen Crashes in 2025

1. Introduction: The Modern PC’s Achilles’ Heel

It’s the dreaded moment: you’re deep into your work or gaming session, and suddenly the screen goes blue with a wall of white text—a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). In Windows 11 and the upcoming Windows 12, BSODs remain a frustrating yet crucial signal that something under the hood isn’t right.

For Milwaukee residents, whether you’re running a home office, gaming rig, or small business PC, understanding how to respond to BSODs can save time, money, and data. In this post, we’ll break down the most common Windows 11 and 12 stop codes and what you can do about them—step by step.

2. Top 5 Windows 10/11 BSOD Error Codes (as of 2025)

Here are the leading BSOD codes we’re seeing at PCRuns from local Milwaukee systems in 2025:

Error Code	Meaning	Common Cause
`CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED`	System process essential to Windows has stopped	Corrupt system files or bad updates
`DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL`	Faulty driver accessed invalid memory	Outdated or buggy hardware drivers
`PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA`	Memory access violation	Bad RAM, failing SSD, or antivirus conflict
`WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR`	Hardware failure or overclocking issue	CPU, RAM, or PSU instability
`KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED`	Kernel mode app caused an exception	Bad drivers or BIOS conflicts

3. First Steps: What to Do Immediately After a BSOD

A. Write Down the Error Code

If your PC restarts too fast, change this setting:
- System Properties → Startup and Recovery → uncheck “Automatically restart”

B. Boot into Safe Mode

Hold Shift while clicking Restart from the Windows login screen
Select Advanced options → Startup Settings → Enable Safe Mode with Networking

C. Create a System Restore Point (If Possible)

Before you troubleshoot too aggressively, backup your current system state just in case.

4. Troubleshooting Each Code (With Fixes)

🛠️ 1. `CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED`

Cause: System file corruption or abrupt shutdown.
Fix:

Run System File Checker:
```
sfc /scannow
```

Then run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Update to the latest cumulative Windows update.

🛠️ 2. `DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL`

Cause: A driver accessed memory it shouldn’t have.
Fix:

Update all major drivers: GPU, network adapter, chipset.
Use Driver Verifier:
```
verifier /standard /all
```
Then reboot and see which driver crashes.

🛠️ 3. `PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA`

Cause: Hardware memory problem or antivirus conflict.
Fix:

Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
Temporarily disable or uninstall third-party antivirus
Check Event Viewer logs for more specifics

🛠️ 4. `WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR`

Cause: Unstable hardware (especially overclocked).
Fix:

Reset BIOS to default
Underclock or disable XMP/EXPO memory profiles
Test your PSU, CPU, and cooling system

🛠️ 5. `KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED`

Cause: Driver issue or conflict with low-level kernel module
Fix:

Boot into Safe Mode → Remove recently installed drivers or software
Use Autoruns from Sysinternals to disable suspicious startup entries
Update BIOS and firmware

5. Tools of the Trade: Free Utilities for BSOD Diagnosis

Tool	Use Case	Website
BlueScreenView	View crash dumps & find faulty drivers	nirsoft.net
WhoCrashed	Crash dump analyzer	resplendence.com
MemTest86	Deep memory testing	memtest86.com
HWMonitor	Watch system temps and voltages	cpuid.com
Driver Booster	Auto-update outdated drivers	iobit.com

All of these are safe to use, free, and widely recommended in the tech community—including here at PCRuns.

6. Advanced Fixes for Persistent Crashes

If BSODs return even after driver updates and diagnostics:

Perform a Clean Boot
- Use msconfig to disable all non-Microsoft services.
Try a Fresh Windows Installation
- Use a clean ISO from Microsoft with Media Creation Tool.
Replace Hardware (if needed)
- Faulty RAM or SSDs are among the top offenders. Let PCRuns run a diagnostics scan in-shop.

7. Local Case Study: Milwaukee Client with WHEA Error

A local Milwaukee small business brought in a PC constantly crashing under load with the WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR code. Our diagnostics revealed:

Overclocked CPU running at unstable voltages
One faulty RAM stick
BIOS was two years out of date

Solution:

Reset BIOS
Replaced faulty RAM
Installed a firmware update
Cleaned and re-pasted CPU cooler

Result: System stability restored and zero crashes after 30 days of stress testing.

8. Why Choose PCRuns for BSOD Help in Milwaukee?

Same-Day Diagnostics: We find the source of the BSOD fast—no endless guessing.
Transparent Pricing: Know what it costs before we fix it.
Trusted Local Expertise: Serving Milwaukee’s PCs since day one.
On-Site & Remote Options: Whether you’re downtown or working remotely, we’ve got you covered.

9. Conclusion: Don’t Let BSODs Derail Your Day

Blue Screen crashes can feel catastrophic, but with the right approach—and the right local help—they’re almost always fixable. Whether you’re running Windows 11 or testing Windows 12, learning the common BSOD codes and how to respond can save your system and your sanity.

Need help fast?
Call PCRuns in Milwaukee at (414) 801-8194 or visit pcruns.com/contact to get your PC crash-free today.