BSOD errors are annoying errors in Windows, caused by a variety of factor such as hardware or software issues. In this post, we’re going to help you address the BSOD issue caused particularly by the “Critical process died” error. Just try our list of solutions below and see if they help.
When data modification was made to a critical component of windows when it should not have been, “Critical process died” issue could occur.
Contributing factor could be a bad driver, a memory error, occurred while the user was working.
Luckily, there are multiple approaches to the problem as well as causes. This tutorial will show you how to fix the issue in the following cases:
- Critical Process Died after update: This error can appear after or during a Windows update performed by the user.
I own a Lenovo S-510p laptop. I recently tried upgrading to Windows 10. I am currently using the Windows 8.1 – 64 Bit.
The Download finished fully and installation started, but at around 55% of installation, the system crashed due to a Critical Process Died Error.
- Critical Process Died after sleep: There are instances where the error occurs on the waking of users’ PCs, preventing access to the computer.
Every time I wake up my computer, I get a BSOD saying that a CRITICAL PROCESS DIED
- Critical Process Died after login: Some lucky users can still type in their username and password and login but that’s it. A few seconds after logging in, the issue appears.
- Critical Process Died after installing the Creators Update: Many users weren’t affected by the error on the Anniversary Update. On the contrary, a large number of users experienced the issue when finish installing the Creators Update.
- Critical Process Died while gaming: For gamers, this issue is quite familiar since the majority of them faced the issue while running their games.Critical Process Died while gaming: For gamers, this issue is quite familiar since the majority of them faced the issue while running their games.
Been running my comp that I bought and seem to get an issue during gaming. The screen goes blue and comes up with the error of CRITICAL PROCESS DIED. It happens when I am gaming only and never at any other time.”
- Critical Process Died Windows 10 loop: Reboot loops can be a result of the error, causing difficulties using the computer.
Issue: 60 min loop. everything runs fine but I get the CRITICAL PROCESS DIED message on a blue screen and the system reboots. always 60 mins after the previous reboot.
- Critical Process Died Unexpected Store Exception: The Unexpected Store Exception is an uncommon but severe error
BSOD unexpected store exception – critical process died
Hi, I’ve got 2 BSOD errors since I upgraded to 10. Before that my notebook was fine without a crash. I can’t work and is extremely frustrating to use it.
- Critical Process Died after overclock: Overclocking your hardware can cause the BSoD issue too, it’s a risk to take for enhanced performance.
- Critical Process Died on startup: It has been reported that the BSoD appear right on start-up. Right after users push the power button, BSoD appeared, they weren’t even able to get to the login screen.
- Critical Process Died Surface Pro 4: Based on user reports, Surface Pro 4 devices are no exceptions, the problem is still common among these devices
- Critical Process Died Server 2012 r2: If you came across this message on Windows Server 2012 R2, chances are, you’re not alone.
I am running Windows Hyper-V Server 2012 R2 (Server Core) on three servers. […] A few weeks ago one of the systems seemed to be rebooting regularly. After connecting a monitor I saw a BSOD with a message Critical Process Died. I’m not 100% certain of this, but these BSOD reboot problems seemed to have started shortly after getting a recent automatic update(s)?
- Critical Process Died Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Dell: The error occurs on all devices regardless of manufacturer. However, HP computers are less likely to come across the issue.
How to fix the “Critical process died” error in Windows 10
Method 1. Run an SFC scan
An old but reliable solution for these kinds of problems is to run a SFC scan. In this case, the scan can be really helpful, and to perform the scan, just follow the steps below:
1. Right-click on the Start Menu button, choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the pop-up list.
2. Type in sfc/scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait a few minutes for the process to finish.
4. Restart your PC.
Check if BSoD still occurs because of the error. If Windows still show you the BSoD try another method below.
Method 2. Run a full system antivirus scan
Malwares are definitely capable of changing your system files. These software don’t necessarily have to be dangerous like virus, even adware can make changes to your files if you’re not careful.
You can use Windows Defender, an antivirus built-in to Windows, or any other software you prefer.
To run a full system scan on Windows 10:
1. Click on the Start menu and type in “defender“. Then select Windows Defender when its icon appears.
2. Next, select the shield icon on the left panel.
3. In the new window, select Advanced scan.
4. Check the Full scan option and start your scan.
As an alternative choice, we strongly suggest some third-party antivirus like Panda, BullGuard, BitDefender, Malwarebytes as they provide better malware detection and removal for your PC.
Method 3. Uninstall the latest updates
Windows by default automatically apply updates to your PC when you’re not using it. Some updates are unstable and can be the cause of the “Critical process died” error. You just have to remove those updates manually and the problem should be solved.
Here are the steps:
1.Open Settings, select Update and Security and click on View Update History.
2. Click Uninstall Updates.
3. Select the unwanted update(s) and click Uninstall.
Method 4. Download the latest driver updates
Outdated, corrupted drivers can cause the “Critical process died” error. Go to Device Manager, and make sure that absolutely all drivers are up to date, and compatible with Windows 10.
But updating every single driver is tiring so we suggest using an automated updating software. This will avoid any mistakes that could damage your system further.
We recommend Driver Easy tool to automatically download all the outdated drivers on your PC.
Method 5. Clean boot your computer
A clean boot will start Windows with only the necessary drivers and programs, removing any problematic factor from other programs.
Here’s how to perform a clean boot:
1. Press the Windows logo + R key at the same time. Type “msconfig” in the run box and click OK.
2. Go to the Boot tab, untick the Safe Boot option (if checked).
4. After that, go to Services tab, check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services” and then click Disable all.
5. Open Task manager from the Startup tab by clicking “Open task manager”. Right-click on every enabled item and select Disable.
6. Close the Task Manager.
7. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box. Click OK and restart your computer.
Method 6. Check your disk for errors
Sometimes a simple chkdsk scan can resolve the issue, you can try this by following these steps:
1. Right-click on the Start Menu button, choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the pop-up list.
2. Type in chkdsk C: /f and then press Enter.
3. The chkdsk D: /f command detects and repairs logical issues affecting your drive. To repair physical issues, run the /r parameter as well.
Method 7. Run DISM to fix Windows 10’s system image
1. Right-click on the Start Menu button, select Command Prompt (Admin) from the pop-up list
2. Type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and then press Enter.
3. Wait for scan to complete, which can take up to 10 minutes and longer.
4. Restart your computer after the DISM scan.
An alternative method:
1. Double click your Windows 10 .iso file to mount it.
2. Right-click on the Start Menu button, choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the pop-up list
3. Type in and run these commands:
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
4. And then this
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /source:WIM:[X]>:SourcesInstall.wim:1/LimitAccess
Replace X with the drive letter mounted with your Windows 10 ISO.
Method 8. Run System Restore
If the error starts appearing only recently, you can restore your system to an earlier state with System Restore option.
You can also reset your PC if the option above is not working for you:
1. Open the Settings app, select Update & Security and then select Recovery.
2. Under Reset this PC, click on Get Started. Then select Keep my files.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
Checkout this video to illustrate this guide:
Hopefully, by now, the Critical process died BSoD error has been solved.