How To Fix Red Screen Of Death Error On Windows 10/11?

Summary: The RSOD or Red Screen of Death error is most commonly caused by an issue with your graphics card (dedicated OR integrated – it doesn’t matter). This can most commonly be solved by (a) updating your drivers, or (b) resetting and updating your BIOS/ UEFI. If neither of those two methods works, then you’re looking at a potentially failed hard drive. This is when a data recovery service would come to your aid, like Stellar Data Recovery. Get FREE Quote

The Red Screen of Death (RSOD) is an “error operational” failure. You might see it on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.

As the name suggests, it’s a red screen that tells you there’s a problem with your computer.

This guide will help you fix the RSOD error step by step.

We’ll go through each fix one by one.

Also, if you’re on a laptop, don’t worry; we’ll include special instructions for you where applicable.

Let’s get your computer back to normal.

Table Of Contents

Through the course of this article, you will learn the following things:

1. What Causes The Red Screen Of Death Error?
2. Easy Ways To Fix The Red Screen Of Death
3. Still Can’t Fix The RSOD Error? Here’s What To Do
4. Why Trust Stellar Data Recovery Service
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Red Screen Of Death Error

And without any further ado, let us get right into fixing the red screen of death.

What Causes The Red Screen Of Death Error?

The red screen of death (Windows 10) and the red screen of death (Windows 11) are both caused by the GPU.

When your graphics card (dedicated or integrated) has trouble processing, you get shown the red screen of death.

That said, in a fair amount of cases, a faulty hard drive may also be the cause of the red screen of death.

We’ll explain how this can happen later on in the article.

5 Easy Ways To Fix The Red Screen Of Death

1. Restart Your Computer To Fix Red Screen Of Death

If you see the red screen of death, the first thing to try is to power cycle your computer.

Power cycling is a little different from restarting.

Here’s how:

For Desktops:

1. Press and hold the power button until your computer shuts down.
2. Disconnect your PC from the wall power.
3. Wait a few minutes, then power on your computer.

For Laptops:

1. Press and hold your laptop’s power button until it turns off.

2. Do not let go of the power button.
3. The laptop will power back on after 30-45 seconds, so do not release the power button.

Why This Could Work:

Power cycling clears temporary memory onboard your computer. A simple shutdown does not clear this temporary memory.

2. Disconnect All External Devices

Sometimes, the ‘red screen of death‘ is caused by a problem with a peripheral device.

For Desktops

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all external devices like USB drives, printers, and external hard drives.

3. Turn your computer back on to see if the RSOD is gone.
4. You can also disconnect your mouse and keyboard to be doubly sure. Plug these back in once at the login screen.

For Laptops (Additional Step):

1. If you’re using a docking station, disconnect your laptop from it. Now, try powering on again.

Why This Could Work:

External devices can sometimes conflict with your computer’s system, leading to the RSOD error.

Removing them helps to rule out this possibility, as well as driver mismatches. (New peripherals sometimes download their own drivers automatically).

3. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can often cause the ‘red screen of death.’

Here’s how to update them:

For Desktops And Laptops:

1. Hit the Windows Key and type in ‘Device Manager.’

2. Expand the ‘Display adapters‘ section.

3. Right-click on your graphics card and choose ‘Update driver‘.
4. Select ‘Search automatically for updated driver software‘ and allow the process to complete.

For Laptops (Additional Step):

Check the laptop manufacturer’s website for specific driver updates for your model. If any are available, download, unzip, and double-click to run.

Why This Could Work:

New graphics drivers allow your GPU to send and receive data from the CPU to the monitor.

This is called “interfacing” and can often fix your RSOD error.

4. Adjust Your BIOS/ UEFI Boot Settings

Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings can lead to the ‘red screen of death.’

Here’s how to check and adjust these settings:

For Desktops And Laptops:

1. Entering BIOS/UEFI:

• Restart your computer.
• Press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings. On most computers, this is usually (F2, F12, DEL, or ESC) as it starts. The correct key is often shown on the screen during startup.

2. Navigating BIOS/UEFI:

• Use arrow keys to navigate through the menus.
• Look for tabs or sections like ‘Advanced‘, ‘Performance‘, or ‘Overclocking.’
• Be cautious: only change settings you understand. If unsure, refer to your computer’s manual, which can usually be found via a quick Google search.

3. Adjusting Overclocking and Performance Settings:

• In the ‘Overclocking‘ or ‘Performance‘ section, find any settings related to CPU or memory speed.
• Reset these settings to ‘Default’ or ‘Auto.’ Avoid ‘Extreme’, ‘turbo’, or ‘Performance’ modes.
• Check for other settings that might impact system stability, like voltage settings or fan control, and set them to default.

In the center of the screen, you see “boot priority”. This is the bootloader. It is different in all BIOS and UEFI settings according to the manufacturer.

4. Checking Other Critical Settings:

• Ensure that your boot order is correct. Your primary hard drive or SSD should be the first option.
• Verify that system cooling (fan speeds, thermal controls) is set to operate correctly.

5. Saving and Exiting:

• Save your changes and restart. This is usually done by pressing F10 or selecting the ‘Save and Exit‘ (option).
• Exit the BIOS/UEFI and allow your computer to restart normally.

For Laptops (Extra Steps And Warnings):

1. Laptops may have additional power management or integrated graphics settings in the BIOS/UEFI.
2. Adjust these settings carefully, as incorrect configurations can impact laptop performance and battery life.

Why This Could Work:

Properly configured BIOS/UEF settings allow your hardware and the OS to talk to and understand each other.

This can resolve issues like the red screen of death (Windows 10) and the red screen of death (Windows 11).

Often, this fix will be your savior, especially if your RSOD error is related to hardware conflicts or misconfigurations.

5. Reinstall Windows

If previous fixes haven’t resolved the ‘red screen of death‘, reinstalling Windows should be a last resort.

Here’s how to do it safely:

For Desktops and Laptops:

1. Backup Your Data:

• Before proceeding, back up important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage to avoid data loss.

2. Creating Installation Media:

• Visit the Microsoft website and download the Windows Media Creation Tool.
• Use this tool to create a bootable USB drive or DVD with the Windows installation files.

3. Reinstalling Windows:

• Insert your bootable media (USB drive or DVD) and restart your computer.
• As your computer boots, press the key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, F2, or ESC).

4. Select to boot from your USB or DVD:

• Follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted, choose ‘Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)’ for a clean installation.

For Laptops (Additional Considerations):

1. Ensure your laptop is plugged into a power source to avoid interruption.

Why This Could Work:

A fresh installation of Windows can resolve your RSOD error by replacing any corrupted files with fresh ones.

Fresh copies of Windows also automatically re-install all drivers for parts they detect upon the first boot.

Still Can’t Fix The RSOD Error? Here’s What To Do

You tried all the fixes to resolve your red screen of death.

By now, we’ve eliminated the possibility of it being caused by your graphics card or software.

The only remaining culprit? A failing hard drive.

This is where a data recovery service would come to your rescue. More on that shortly.

But first, how can a failing storage hardware cause a red screen of death?

Understanding Hard Drive Failure and The RSOD Error:

1. Corrupted System Files: A failing hard drive can corrupt system files, leading to an RSOD error.
2. Failing Read/ Write Operations: If the hard drive struggles, it affects the whole system, causing the red screen of death.
3. Hardware Conflicts: A malfunctioning hard drive can conflict with other components, triggering the RSOD error. This could happen because of power draw, voltage fluctuations, or plain old hard drive death.

Long story short: at this point, your RSOD error is probably being caused by mechanical hard drive failure.

Software-side failures of hard drives do not usually cause RSODs.

If that is the case, we actively discourage DIY -fixing your hard drive.

It is a sensitive component, and you could very easily lose everything on it.

Additional Reading: Recover Data From Hard Disk Drives

Taking Action

Before your hard drive fails completely, it’s crucial to back up your data.

Contact a data recovery service for a professional assessment and recovery of your data.

Stellar Data Recovery will give you a 100% free quote for your data recovery service.

Why Stellar

Stellar Data Recovery stands out in the field of data recovery with its impressive 30+ year history. Our extensive experience equips us to handle any hard drive recovery challenge.

What sets Stellar Data Recovery apart is our widespread presence in India, with branches in 14 major cities.

Our extensive network ensures quicker service turnaround times compared to competitors.

Globally, Stellar Data Recovery’s reach extends to over 190 countries, with a customer base of more than 3 million satisfied individuals and businesses.

A critical aspect of Stellar Data Recovery’s service quality is our ISO-certified “Class 100 clean room“.

In this environment, there are only 100 microparticles per cubic foot, an essential factor for successful sensitive hard drive recoveries.

Moreover, Stellar Data Recovery boasts a dedicated team of over 100 trained R&D engineers. This team’s expertise is a cornerstone of Stellar’s exceptional data recovery services.

And with that, we come to the end of this article on the red screen of death. We hope you found it helpful, and we’ll see you in the next one.

FAQs – Fix Red Screen Of Death

1. Can the red screen of death damage my computer permanently?

No, the RSOD itself doesn’t cause permanent damage, but it indicates underlying issues that might need attention.

2. How often does the RSOD occur in Windows 10 and 11?

It’s not common, but it can happen due to software conflicts or hardware issues.

3. Is the RSOD similar to the blue screen of death?

Yes, both indicate serious system errors, but the RSOD is often related to graphics card issues.

4. Can outdated BIOS cause the RSOD?

Yes, an outdated BIOS can lead to compatibility issues that might trigger the RSOD.

5. Will resetting my PC fix the RSOD?

It might, as resetting can resolve software conflicts causing the RSOD.

6. Can overheating lead to the RSOD?

Yes, overheating, especially of the graphics card, can trigger the RSOD.

7. Is it safe to troubleshoot the RSOD on my own?

Basic troubleshooting is safe, but for hardware checks, professional help is recommended.

8. How long does it take to fix the RSOD?

It varies, depending on the cause. Simple fixes take minutes, while complex issues might take longer.

9. Can a virus cause the RSOD?

It’s rare, but certain malware can cause system instability, leading to the RSOD error.

10. Should I update all drivers to fix the RSOD?

Yes, updating all drivers, especially the graphics driver, can help resolve the RSOD.

Additional Reading: Fix Blue Screen of Death Errors in Windows