The Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) on Windows is a critical error, but that doesn’t mean the BSoD causes permanent damage. In fact, if your computer crashes but reboots as usual, you may be wondering whether the BSoD can fix itself?
Let’s explore why the blue screen may only appear once, how Windows attempts to repair BSoD itself, and what actions you should take to protect your system.
BSoD only happened once – is my system safe?
The crash only occurs when Windows can no longer run safely. It is the operating system’s fail-safe mechanism to protect your computer from damage. The BSoD may only happen once or sporadically because:
- Overheating only occurs when performing intensive tasks like gaming.
- The problem is linked to a single program that you haven’t reopened.
- There was a rare conflict between two processes.
- Your hardware drivers were updated before the crash happens again.
- You experienced a one-off power surge or electrical fault.
- Some other temporary glitch.
It’s important to note that just because a BSoD only happens once doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying issue has been resolved. It’s possible that the error may occur again under similar circ*mstances, so it’s important to take note of any relevant error codes or messages that appear on the screen and investigate the issue further.
Using a Windows repair tool like Fortect will help you identify and fix any unknown errors that may have caused the crash.
How Windows repairs BSoD?
Windows 10 and 11 are much better equipped at handling errors than previous versions of the operating system and you rarely have to do a clean install to fix the BSoD. You will get clear error codes and, in some instances, when your system restarts it will go through an automatic troubleshooting and repair process.
Simply wait for the process to complete and it will attempt to load the desktop as normal.
- If successful, it is a good idea to run software like Fortect to make sure all Windows problems have been fixed.
- If the process fails, your system will enter a restart loop unless you hold F8 to open Advanced Boot Options.
Sometimes, Windows will also automatically enter Repair Mode if it fails to boot several times in a row.
Startup Repair
If Startup Repair is available to you, this can automatically diagnose and repair problems that prevent Windows from starting correctly, including the BSoD.
It does this by repairing the system files and other settings that are necessary for booting.
However, if Windows has a more complex problem or the crashes are caused by hardware, you may need to find another solution.
What to do if BSoD cannot fix itself?
If these automated Windows tools do not fix BSoD, you will need to get hands-on with the following solutions:
Use Fortect
Fortect is designed to fix issues with the system files and other settings that are necessary for Windows to run properly, without affecting your personal files and data. Here is what you need to do:
- Download and Install Fortecton your PC
- Launch the program to make sure it runs properly
- Reboot your PC or laptop
- From the startup, settings choose Safe Mode (usually you should press F8 when it is in starting phase) and boot into Safe Mode with networking
- Once the Safe Mode Desktop appears, launch Fortect and OK the system scan.
- Wait a few minutes while Fortect diagnoses all Windows errors.
- Click ‘Start Repair’ to repair all problems or navigate through the categories to choose what to repair.
- Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC normally
If you can boot to desktop directly, simply run Fortect as normal. It will scan your system and let you automatically apply fixes.
System Restore
Available under Advanced Boot Options, this lets you restore a previous Windows state from before the error. However, this won’t be available to you if you haven’t already configured your restore points.
System Image Recovery
This allows you to restore your computer to a previous state by using a system image backup. A system image backup is a complete snapshot of your system, including the operating system, installed applications, and user data.
Again, this won’t be available unless you have previously made a backup. This method will also lose all personal files, data, and settings since the backup was made.
Command Prompt
Opening the Windows Command Prompt lets you run troubleshooting commands manually without loading the desktop. For example, System File Checker (SFC) scan checks for damaged system files, while Check Disk (CHKDSK) scan checks your hard drive for problems.
Windows Repair
You can use bootable Windows media to repair your Windows installation if your computer is experiencing the BSoD and won’t start.
Simply insert the Windows boot disc or drive, and restart your computer. Follow the onscreen prompts and choose ‘Repair your computer’. Once the repair process is complete, remove the boot disc from your computer and restart your computer.
Unlike Fortect, this method can only use system files available on the boot disc or drive, which means it could be outdated.
Conclusion
Windows has a few methods for automatically fixing the BSoD. In some cases, the crash may only occur once. However, it’s never wise to ignore the problem. If Windows can’t solve the problem itself, Fortect is an excellent tool for repairing your system.
