As prominent as the Windows Operating System through the years has been, every computer user would likely encounter the Blue Screen of Death, BSOD, or to put it in a non-violent phrase: the big blue sad face smiley error screen.

As humans, we tend to change emotions in an instance, so does this error screen that appears in the most unexpected of times. It causes panic, anxiety, and oftentimes anger towards this blue screen of despair. However, fret not, since there are solutions to solve the issues caused by it.

Find out more about the common causes of BSOD and their corresponding solutions by reading these points:

Faulty Memory. The error screen can be caused by faulty memory on the device, be it the Random-Access Memory (RAM) or the disk space on your hard drive. Check if the RAM is in good condition and also free up disk space on your hard drive. Before upgrading or adding RAM on your device, be aware of the kind of RAM capacity and type it caters to. If two RAMs of different types or speed are installed together, this error will appear.

Device Installations. If you have recently installed a new software, hardware, or custom downloaded drivers, this error may be encountered. This could also occur following a slight change in your PC settings.

• Software. Try to reinstall the software and if the error reoccurs, check for the developer’s support information. Odds are, they have encountered it before and have a well-documented walkthrough solution.
• Hardware. Update the hardware firmware, if available. Check if the hardware you have installed is compatible with your Windows version. Moreover, check if the hardware at hand is not a factory defect or just get it replaced.

Always be wary of what you put into your device at all times to prevent BSOD.

Outdated Device Drivers or OS. You can download the latest hardware drivers for your PC at your convenience to keep BSOD at bay. We all know that Microsoft, on a regular basis, releases patches, service packs and system updates. All you need to do is apply the available updates.

If you believe that the aforementioned solutions did not work to solve BSOD, given below are additional steps you could follow:

System Restore. A system restore is a feature that allows the user to revert their computer’s state at a point in time where the system was error-free. It does not affect personal files, changes in documents, and new files while it reverses system changes. To do a system restore:

1. Open Start.
2. Type “create a restore point” on the search box.
3. Click the top result to open System Properties.
4. Click on System Restore.

5. Click Next.

6. Select the restore point you want to use on your computer and click Next.

7. Click the Finish button.

Reinstall Windows. This is the last resort if none of the solutions above worked. Reinstalling a clean Windows operating system removes all the system software and drivers, and resets all settings.

Coming across BSOD does not mean that your computer is marked as dead and useless. Instead, it is simply a notification message from Windows that there is a serious problem that needs your attention prior to using your computer normally. Instead of a frown, turn that sad face of yours upside down. Solutions are at hand now.