This is a step-by-step guide for understanding the possible causes and solutions to fix the Stop Code Critical Process Died error in Windows 10:
If we talk about various errors that a system can get, then there is a huge list ahead, but the BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) error makes a significant place on the list.
In the BSoD, the error system becomes unresponsive, and the screen shows only the error message, which states: “Your PC ran into a problem and needed to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you.”
In this tutorial, we will understand what is Windows stop code critical process death error and we will also discuss a step-by-step guide to various ways to fix it.
Let’s get started!!
Table of Contents:
What Is Windows 10 Critical Process Died Error
The Windows stop code critical process error falls under the BSoD error. In such errors, the screen shows a massive blue screen as shown in the image below and the system goes in the loop of restarting the system. This error is fatal for your system as it can corrupt your data and you might end up losing all your important files.
Further Reading => Fix For Stop Code Memory Management BSOD Error
Error code: 0x000000EF
[image source]
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Critical Process Died Windows 10: Causes Of Error
The main cause of this error is mainly the corrupt files in the memory. The corrupted files end up being the error in the boot step and hence corrupt the entire hard disk resulting in loss of data.
The main reasons for Critical Process Died Windows 10 Error are as follows:
- Corrupted system files.
- Malicious files in the memory may turn out to be the reason for abnormal functioning.
- Driver issues may show up with even more bugs with the hardware.
- Compatibility issues, installing of advanced software which might not be compatible with the hardware.
- Bad sectors in the disk are corrupted.
- Bad updates may cause compatibility issues.
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Ways To Fix Stop Code Critical Process Died Error
#1) System Restore
System Restore is an efficient way to fix errors. To correct the critical process of died Windows 10 error, the system is restored to its earlier version. There may be a possibility that the system may malfunction because of new updates, and therefore, the user must remove these new updates.
To restore the system to its previous image, the system image should be created so we will break this step into further two steps:
- How to create a System Restore point?
- How to perform System Restore at the time of BSoD error?
Follow the steps mentioned below to restore the system to its earlier version.
How To Create System Restore Point
The System Restore point is the section in the memory that stores the previous image of the system and restores the system image whenever any error occurs.
Follow the steps mentioned below to create a System Restore point:
#1) Click on the “Start” button and search for “Restore”. Now, click on “Create a restore point.”
#2) The Restore point window will open. Click on “System Protection,”. Now, click on “Configure…” as shown in the image below.
#3) The Configure window will appear. Click on “Turn on system protection,”, and allot the memory for system restoration by moving the slider. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”
#4) Now, click on “Create..”, as shown in the image below.
#5) Enter the name for the restore point in the dialog box and click on “Create” as shown in the image below.
#6) A progress bar will be visible, as shown below.
#7) A message will occur stating, “The restore point was created successfully.” as shown in the image below.
#8) Now, click on “System Restore”, as shown in the image below.
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#9) A window will open, then click on “Next >”.
#10) Select the restore point as shown in the image below and click on the “Next” button.
#11) The next window will open and then click on “Finish” as shown in the image below.
#12) A dialog box will appear, then click on “Yes” as shown in the image below.
The system will then shut down and system restoration will start. The system might take between 15 min to 1 hour of processing time.
Further Reading => Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer – Quick Fix
How To Perform System Restore At Time Of BSoD Error
If the user has previously created the system restore point, then he/she can perform the System Restore during the Blue Screen of Death by following the steps mentioned below:
#1) When the BSoD error occurs, choose the system repair. And even if the system repair fails, a screen will be visible as shown in the image below. Now click on the “Advanced options”.
[image source]
#2) Then click on ‘’Troubleshoot’’ as shown in the image below.
#3) Further click on “Advanced options” as shown in the image below.
#4) Click on “System Restore”.
#5) Enter the login credentials and click on “Continue” as shown in the image below.
#6) Select the Restore point and click on the “Next” button.
#7) Click on the “Finish” button to restore the system image.
Now the system will restart with the previous system image stored in the system.
#2) Run SFC Scan
The corrupt files in the system became the main reason for the critical process that died in the Windows 10 error. Therefore, scanning for these corrupt files in the system helps the user fix them.
Follow the steps mentioned below to fix this error:
#1) Click on the “Start” button and search for “Windows PowerShell” as shown in the image below. Now make right-click and click on “Run as Administrator”.
#2) A blue window will be visible, then type “sfc/scannow” and press “Enter” as shown in the image below.
#3) After the process is completed, a window will appear, as shown below.
#4) When the process is completed then the system will locate all the corrupt files and fix them.
#3) Run Full System Antivirus Scan
The virus and malicious files in the system are also a potential reason for the critical process Windows 10 error. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your system equipped with antivirus software that keeps your system safe. The antivirus software in the system monitors the malicious files and suggests the removal of such files.
[image source]
#4) Update Drivers
The drivers’ bugs are also a reason for critical process died windows 10 error, so it is a suitable option to keep all your drivers updated for the system’s smooth functioning.
Follow the steps mentioned below to update drivers:
#1) Right-click on the “Windows” icon and click on “Device Manager” as shown in the image below.
#2) The Device Manager window will open, right-click on all drivers one by one and click on “Update Driver” as shown in the image below.
#3) Likewise, update all the drivers one after the other.
#5) Safe Mode
The safe mode in Windows is when the boot files load in the system with minimum configurations; hence it does not attract any error.
Follow the steps mentioned below to boot the system in safe mode:
#1) Press the “Windows+R” button from the keyboard and type “msconfig” on the search box as shown in the image below.
#2) The system configuration window will open and then click on the “Boot” option.
#3) Click to select “Safe boot” as shown in the image below. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”
#4) Now “Restart” your Windows to start it in safe mode.
[image source]
#6) Clean Boot
Clean boot is a particular type of boot sequence which allows the loading of only necessary files in the memory, and it helps in reducing the startup time. It helps fix the critical process died windows 10 error as it turns off all extra software and services.
Follow the steps mentioned below to enable a clean boot:
#1) Press the “Windows+R” button from your keyboard and type “msconfig” as shown in the image below.
#2) A window will open, click on “Selective startup” and uncheck “Load startup items” as shown in the image below.
#3) Click on “Services” as shown in the image below and then check “Hide all Microsoft services”. Click on “Disable all” to disable all services at the time of boot.
#4) Now, click on “Startup” and “Open Task Manager” as shown below.
#5) Right-click on all the applications one after another and click on the “Disable” option or click on the “Disable” button at the bottom, as shown in the image below.
#7) Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooting Tool
Windows 10 provides its users with a beautiful feature that enables them to Run a Hardware and Device Troubleshooting tool at once. This feature checks for all the driver’s changes and updates.
Follow the steps mentioned below to Run the Hardware troubleshooter:
#1) Press the “Windows+R” button from the keyboard. A dialog box will open, type “msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic” as shown in the image below. Click on “Ok”.
#2) A window will open, click on the “Next” button.
#3) A process will begin, as shown in the image below.
#4) The troubleshooter will prompt as it finds various device updates, as shown in the image below. Click on “Apply this fix”.
#8) Run DISM to Fix the System Image
One way to correct this error is by repairing the system image. Windows provides its users with the feature to restore the system image by performing a set of instructions on Command Prompt.
#1) Click on the “Start” button and search “Command Prompt”. Then open the command prompt as shown in the image below.
#2) Right-click on the option and choose “Run as Administrator,”. A window will open, Type “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth” on the screen and press “Enter” as shown in the image below.
#3) Now type “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth” as shown in the image below.
#4) Type “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and the system will start restoring as shown in the image below.
#9) Use Partition Tool To Fix Disk Blocks
There is various third-party software that allows the user to easily find out the bad sectors in the memory. These sectors are either corrupted or are facing some error, so this software locates these sectors and helps them get fixed. The software used in the process is Partition Wizard.
Follow the steps mentioned below to successfully complete the surface test:
#1) Visit the Partition Wizard website. Download the software and install it on the system.
#2) Open the software and select the disk and click on the “Surface Test” option as shown in the image below.
#3) The software will “start” checking the disk and if the user’s system has no bad sector, then a dialog box will appear on the screen as shown below.
In case there are bad sectors in the memory, it is best suggested to prepare a backup of the data for the worst-case scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I bypass the blue screen of death?
Various fixes can prove useful to bypass the blue screen of death.
Some of them are as follows:
1. Restore system
2. Restart your system
3. Update drivers
4. Update System
5. Run System file checks
6. Run DISM configurations
7. Check for Hardware issues
8. Check for Startup Repair
How do you fix critical structure corruption?
Structure corruption is a problem with grave impacts that have to be corrected as early as possible, so follow any of the methods mentioned below to fix this error.
1. Run Blue Screen troubleshooter
2. Try with DISM
3. Check the hardware (HDD, RAM, PSU)
4. Use specialized BSOD repair software
5. Uninstall critical third-party programs
6. Run SFC
7. Check all drivers
8. Backup your data and clean install Windows 10
Is the blue screen of death fixable?
The blue screen of death occurs because of corrupted software or system files. Therefore, if we find an improperly installed or corrupted file in the system, the user can fix the error, consequently, the blue screen of death is fixable.
Further reading =>> How to fix APC Index Mismatch BSoD Error
What is NTFS Sys failure?
NTFS files are the files that monitor the smooth running of Windows and its system files. Therefore NTFS Sys failures mean corrupted disk blocks or failed drivers loading, resulting in system failure.
Why I can’t even boot into safe mode?
If the user is unable to boot into safe mode, follow any of the methods listed below:
1. System Restore
2. Restart your system
3. Run System File Check
Conclusion
Many errors are fatal and can harm your system to a great extent. So, users have to take care of the system to prevent such errors. The most commonly known error that is fatal to the system is the blue screen error or Windows 10 critical process death error.
In this article, we successfully discussed these errors and ways to help the user fix them efficiently.
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