CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED blue screen
TL;DRThis is a Windows blue screen error that happens when an important system process stops working unexpectedly, forcing the computer to shut down to prevent damage.
Likely causes
- Corrupted or missing system filesmost likely
- Problematic or outdated device driverspossible
- Failing hardware such as RAM or storage driveless likely
How to fix it
Safest first: SafeChanges settingsDangerous
Run a system file checkSafe
Open Command Prompt as administrator and scan for corrupted files.
sfc /scannowCheck the hard drive for errorsChanges settings
Run a disk check from an elevated Command Prompt.
chkdsk /f /r⚠ This may require a restart and can take a long time.
Boot into Safe Mode and update driversChanges settings
Restart in Safe Mode, then use Device Manager to check for driver updates.
If that didn't fix it
If the error keeps happening after these steps, it could point to failing hardware that needs replacement.
When to see a technician
See a technician if the blue screen returns after trying the basic steps or if you are not comfortable running command line tools.