Windows keeps blue screening, and eventually started black screening

Question

Hi everyone,

My computer recently began experiencing frequent blue screens—and more recently, black screens—while running games. I’ve tried lowering all graphics settings to reduce system strain, but the issue still occurs at least three times a day. I’m fairly confident this is not a GPU-related problem.

I’ve also performed two clean Windows installations, but the crashes have continued to persist.

I’ve been reviewing my Event Viewer logs, and a minidump file has been generated as well; however, I’m having difficulty diagnosing the root cause.

Any guidance or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hello,

When your computer experiences a blue screen, we need the .dmp file for analysis to locate the source of the error. The minidump file path is: C:\Windows\Minidump

If your computer does not have this file, you need to configure some settings:

Open Control Panel → System and Security → System → Advanced system settings → Startup and Recovery → Settings

Set Write debugging information to Small memory dump (256 KB)

Set the Small dump directory to %SystemRoot%\Minidump

After completing the settings, restart your computer. The next time a blue screen occurs, a new file will be generated. At that point, you can upload the blue screen file to OneDrive and provide the download link.

https://onedrive.live.com

Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing persistent blue screen and black screen errors, which can be quite frustrating. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to help identify and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check for Faulty Drivers: Since you've mentioned clean installations, it's possible that a driver might still be causing issues. Use Windows Device Manager to check for any devices with warning signs (exclamation points). Updating or rolling back drivers, especially for graphics and chipset, can sometimes resolve these issues.
2. Review Event Viewer Logs: Since you have minidump files, analyzing them can provide insights into what might be causing the crashes. Look specifically for any recurring error messages or patterns that could indicate a specific driver or hardware issue.
3. Run Hardware Diagnostics: Use any built-in diagnostics provided by your computer manufacturer to check for hardware issues. This can include tests for RAM, hard drives, and other components.
4. Memory Diagnostics: Run the Windows Memory Diagnostics tool to check for memory-related issues. You can access this by searching for "Memory" in the Control Panel and selecting "Diagnose your computer's memory problems."
5. Check for Compatibility Issues: Ensure that all hardware components are compatible with your version of Windows. Sometimes, newer hardware may not have stable drivers for older versions of Windows.
6. Scan for Viruses: Run a comprehensive virus scan to rule out any malware that could be causing system instability.
7. Monitor System Temperatures: Overheating can lead to system crashes. Ensure that your system is adequately cooled and that fans are functioning properly.

If the problem persists after these steps, you may want to consider seeking help from a professional who can analyze the minidump files in more detail.

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References:

• Troubleshoot bug checks (stop code errors)
• Troubleshoot stop errors: Best practices and dump configuration recommendations
• Advanced troubleshooting for stop code errors
• Advanced troubleshooting for stop code errors
• Tablet device that's running Windows 10 creates only a minidump file