If your Windows 10 computer suddenly goes into a blue screen, and it says you’re having a CRITICAL PROCESS DIED error, you’re not alone. But no need for you to worry about it, we’ve got your covered.
What is Critical Process Died?
Critical Process Died blue screen of death, with the error code 0x000000EF, means that a critical system process is your computer died. The process can be so critical that it could damage your hard disk, your memory or, even very rare, your processor. But no worries, we got you covered. Read on and locate the solutions to this problem.
If this is the very first time you have this problem, your computer will restart and it’ll be back to normal. But if you’ve seen this error message many times, you need to do something about your PC, since it indicates that a critical system process is at fault.
7 fixes for Critical Process Died
Here are 7 fixes for you to try to fix the Critical Process Died error. You may not have to try them all; just work your way down until you find the one works for you.
- What is Critical Process Died?
- 7 fixes for Critical Process Died
- 1. Run a virus scan
- 2. Update device drivers
- 3. Undo recent changes
- 4. Run SFC & DISM
- 4.1: Run SFC (System File Checker)
- 5: Update your BIOS or firmware
- 6: Check the crash logs
- Last Resort: Refresh or Reset your Windows
You’ll need to be logged into Windows on the problem computer to try any of these solutions. If you can’t log into Windows, power on and off your PC 3 times to perform a hard reboot and restart it in Safe Mode, then try these solutions.
1. Run a virus scan
The CRITICAL PROCESS DIED error could be caused by some spyware or malware. Even if they aren’t the dangerous kind, they could still cause the problem.
So before we go any deeper into solving this problem in other ways, you should scan your computer with a trusted antivirus program(s). If you find any malware-infected programs or files, uninstall and remove them completely.
2. Update device drivers
In most cases, buggy drivers could cause Critical Process Died blue screen of death error. You can try updating all the device drivers to the latest versions to fix it.
There are two ways you can get the right drivers for your video card and monitor: manually or automatically.
Manual driver update – You can update your device drivers manually by going to the manufacturer’s website for both all your devices, and searching for the most recent correct driver for each. Be sure to choose only drivers that are compatible with your variant of Windows 10.
Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your device drivers manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for your exact hardware devices, and your variant of Windows 10, and it will download and install them correctly.
You can update your drivers automatically with either the 7 days free trial or the Pro version of Driver Easy. It takes just 2 clicks, and you get full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee with the Pro version:
- Download and install Driver Easy.
- Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
- Click the Activate & Update button next to the flagged device to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (You’ll need the Pro version for this – when you select Update All, you’ll get a prompt to upgrade. If you’re not prepared to purchase the Pro version yet, Driver Easy provides a 7-day trial at no cost, granting access to all Pro features like fast downloads and easy installation. No charges will occur until after your 7-day trial period ends.)
- After updating, restart your computer to take effect.
If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com.
3. Undo recent changes
Another big cause of Critical Process Died is faulty or buggy hardware or software programs installed. If you’ve recently installed some programs or hardware components, try upgrade them to the latest versions available or remove them completely from your PC.
4. Run SFC & DISM
If your hard drive or RAM is corrupted, a blue screen of death error such as Critical Process Died would pop up and force reboot your computer. This is your computer’s way of protecting itself from further damage. You can run two built-in checks to make sure that your disk and RAM are at a good state:
4.1: Run SFC (System File Checker)
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type cmd and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator.
Click Yes when prompted for permission to make changes to your device.
2) In the Command Prompt window, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
3) System File Checker will then scan all system files and repair any corrupted or missing ones it detected. This may take 3-5 minutes.
4) After the scan, see if the Critical Process Died blue screen problem still persists. If so, move on to the next test.
4.2: Run dism.exe
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type cmd and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run Command Prompt as administrator.
Click Yes when prompted for permission to make changes to your device.
2) In the Command Prompt window, copy and paste the following commands and hit Enter after each line:
dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
2) When the process finishes:
- If the DISM tool gives you errors, you can always try this command line. This will take up to 2 hours.
dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
- If you get Error: 0x800F081F, reboot your computer, then open Command Prompt as administrator again (step 1) and run this command line instead:
Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
When these tests are done, see if the Critical Process Died problem remains. If the problem still persists, please move on to the next fix.
5: Update your BIOS or firmware
If the above still doesn’t help to fix the Critical Process Died blue screen of death error on your computer, you may need to consider a BIOS and firmware update, as it could be a problem between your computer hardware and your Windows system. But you should always check your motherboard’s BIOS update release note to see if BSOD errors are mentioned.
If you’re up for a BIOS update, here’s a post on how you can do it manually: When & How to Safely Update BIOS [Quick Guide]
DO NOT attempt a BIOS update if you’re not 100% confident in knowing what you’re doing, as a faulty BIOS update could harm or even brick your computer.
6: Check the crash logs
If the Critical Process Died blue screen of death error still won’t go away, you can try to analyze the crash logs created by your computer when the blue screen happens: there are time stamps on the logs.
If you’re interested in knowing more about analyzing your crash logs files, please refer to method 4 in this post we have: View Crash Logs with Minidump Files
You should then find some error codes and/or error messages in your minidump files that might help to locate the culprit to the Critical Process Died blue screen of death error on your computer. The codes or messages you see might be unique in your case, so we don’t have more general fixes here to suggest. But if you do find such codes or error messages, you can always search them on our knowledge base here: https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/ for further troubleshooting tips.
Last Resort: Refresh or Reset your Windows
If you’ve tried all the above methods but still can’t solve your Critical Process Died problem, it’s time to refresh or reset your Windows 10.
If you need more help, go to the posts below for more detailed instructions: How to refresh or Reset Windows 10 Easily?
Are you experiencing CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED BSOD on Windows 10? Have you noticed decreased system performance or frequent blue screen errors after recent Windows updates? The Critical Process Died bug check has a value of 0x000000EF, indicating that a critical Windows system process fails to run properly.
Basically, the Windows operating system ensures that only authorized applications can access certain data and parts of the system. But when a critical component of Windows detects an unauthorized modification to its data, it immediately steps in, causing the Critical Process Died blue screen error.
Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
Most of the time Windows 10 blue screen errors can be caused by buggy drivers. Again corrupted system files, Disk drive Errors, low-level software issues, or the default value in the Boot Loader section of the Boot.ini file are missing or invalid. Whatever the reason here is some solutions you may apply to get rid of this Windows 10 Blue screen error.
Post Contents :-
- 1 CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Windows 10
- 1.1 Uninstall Recently installed applications
- 1.2 Uninstall Windows update
- 1.3 Disable Fast startup
- 1.4 Reinstall problematic Device drivers
- 1.5 Run DISM and SFC utility
- 1.6 Perform System Restore
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Windows 10
Whenever you face a blue screen error, the first thing you must try to remove all external devices include a printer, scanner, external HDD, etc, and start Windows normally. This will fix the problem if the device driver conflicts causing this BSOD error.
If you are using a Desktop computer check if the problem might be caused by a hardware issue, especially with the RAM. If you see this error then take out the RAM and make sure it is clean and doesn’t have any dust around it. Also, make sure the slots are clean as well. Put back the RAM and check if it is connected properly.
Hard drives can also be the culprit behind this issue. Make sure the hard drive is tightly connected to the board and doesn’t have any loose connections.
If due to this BSOD windows 10 frequently restarts at startup and didn’t allow to perform any troubleshooting steps, We recommend booting into safe mode where Windows starts with minimum system requirements and allow to Diagnose the problem.
Uninstall Recently installed applications
If the problem started after installing any third-party application or games, may this is not compatible with the current Windows version and causing a BSOD error. Also sometimes security software (Antivirus) also cause Windows 10 BSOD error. We recommend temporarily uninstall them and check this helps to fix Critical Process Died or not.
- Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and ok to open the programs and features window.
- Here look for recently installed third-party applications, Right-click, and select uninstall.
- Do the same with security software (Antivirus/Antimalware) if installed.
Uninstall Windows update
If your problem has only just started, a recent Windows update could be to blame. Thankfully, it’s easy to uninstall recent updates so you can see if your issue goes away.
To uninstall Windows 10 update:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to Update and Security then Windows Update
- Click on Update History then Uninstall Updates.
- Highlight the update you want to remove from your system,
- then hit the Uninstall button at the top of the window.
Disable Fast startup
Also, some users suggest disabling the Fast startup feature helps them to fix the Critical Process Died BSOD error.
- Open the control panel, from All Control Panel Items, click on Power Options
- On the left side of the window, click on Choose what the power button does
- If needed, click on Change settings that are currently unavailable, under the Define power buttons, and turn on password protection
- From the enabled options under the Shutdown settings section, uncheck the Turn on fast startup (recommended) checkbox to disable Hybrid Shutdown.
- Click the Save Changes button to save the modified settings.
- Close the Power Options window when done.
Reinstall problematic Device drivers
Again Bad, incompatible device drivers are one of the most common causes of the Windows 10 blue screen error. Therefore, it’s sensible to check that none of them require updates. Especially if the problem started after a recent Windows 10 upgrade, there is a chance the installed driver is not compatible with the current Windows 10 version.
- To check the status of your drivers, right-click on the Start menu, select Device Manager,
- This will display all installed device driver lists,
- Scan through the list to see whether any devices have a yellow exclamation point alongside them.
- If you find an exclamation point, right-click on the device in question and choose Update Driver Software from the context menu.
- select search for automatic driver update and let Windows download and install the latest available driver for you.
Or visit the device manufacturer’s website, Download the latest driver and install it on your device. We recommend updating and reinstall the Display (Graphics) driver, Network adapter, and Windows Audio driver to the latest version.
Especial recommendation: If the CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED BSOD error occurs when you are playing games or when you wake up the PC from sleep, then it could be a video card driver issue. What you can do is update your video card driver to the latest available one.
Run DISM and SFC utility
DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management. This tool is specially designed to check and repair the system image. If any system corruption or system file missing while the Windows upgrade process causing the Critical Process Died blue screen error, Running the DISM restore health command with the System file checker utility is very helpful in fixing most of the Windows 10 problems include Different BSOD errors.
Type cmd on the start menu search, right-click on the command prompt, select run as administrator. Then type Dism Command :
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait until 100% the scanning process, then type the command sfc /scannow and ok to run the system file checker utility which scans for missing or corrupted system files.
if found ay the sfc utility restores them from a compressed folder located on %WinDir%\System32\dllcache. Restart Windows after completing the scanning process and check There is no more BSOD on your Windows 10 system.
Perform System Restore
If the problem started recently and you think that it is caused by a program that you might have installed in the last few days or weeks then it’s time to utilize the System Restore option. If the problem was caused by a program or a virus then the system restore to an earlier point should be able to solve the issue for you. Check how to perform System restore on Windows 10,11.
Blue screen of death or BSOD can crash your computer and hamper your work. It includes more than 500 Error codes, however, 0x000000EF or Critical Process Died is the most infamous one. BSOD errors are quite irritating and also pose a risk of losing data on which we are currently working. If you are facing a similar issue, then you need to act on it immediately. Let’s get started! First, let’s know what is the 0x000000EF error code.
Critical Process Died or 0x000000EF
Error code 0x000000EF is mostly the reason for BSODs. You get the error code 0x000000EF on a blue crash screen.
You must be wondering why it happens? Well, it happens as a background process on which Windows depends has been corrupted. It could incorrectly modify your data or stopped completely.
The reason behind this error code could be anything from memory error to corrupted drivers. The error usually comes up when you wake your machine from sleep, playing games or using a specific app.
Steps To Fix The Error Code 0x000000EF
There are a handful of troubleshooting steps you need to follow to get rid of Critical Process Died code on Windows.
Method 1: System File Checker
Now let’s proceed and run system file checker popularity known as SFC scan. It is known to solve a lot of Windows hidden issues by repairing incorrectly modified or corrupted system files.
It might not solve the issue, but it is safe to run the Scan to try and resolve the issue. However, it could really work with this error code 0x000000EF
Follow these steps to initiate the scan:
You need to run Command Prompt as Admin.
The scan will initiate, you need to be patient as the scan will take a while to finish.
Once the scan is done, you will get a list of issues along with the steps taken to fix the issue.
It is recommended to restart your computer.
Method 2: Run Antivirus Scan
If your computer is infected with malicious content or malware, it tends to get unstable. You can run a good antivirus such as Advanced System Protector which swiftly scans and detects viruses, malware, spyware and other malicious files. It cleans detected malware, unwanted adware, & the vexatious toolbars that get onto your computer without your permission.
Method 3. Run the DISM Tool
If you are still facing errors, then let’s move on to proceed to the next step. Go to the search bar and type in Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management (DISM) tool and press Enter. This tool helps in repairing corrupted system image
The tool comes with three switches: /ScanHealth, /CheckHealth and /RestoreHealth
For now, we only need /RestoreHealth switch. Follow these steps to use the switch:
This process usually takes time. So, please be patient and wait for the process to get completed.
Once the scan is complete, restart your computer.
Method 4. Check Your Drivers For Update
Drivers on a computer could be the most recurrent reason for critical process died issue. So, you must check if any of the drivers need to be updated. For that, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press Windows and X to get the Context menu above the Start button.
Step 2: Locate and click Device Manager.
Step 3: Now check all the drivers present on your computer to see a yellow exclamation mark, this indicates that a driver needs an update.
Step 4: Once located, you can right-click on the driver to select Update Driver from the menu.
Well if you don’t want to waste your time in checking drivers or in future if you want to keep your drivers updated with you doing anything, then you always get Advanced Driver Updater. It keeps an eye on the installed drivers so that no driver is outdated, relieving you from the stress of updating them manually. It also takes a backup of all your drivers before installing an update.
Method 5. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
Microsoft releases updates for Windows every now and then. It usually patches up security vulnerabilities or introduces new features. If the error code 0x000000EF has come up after a Windows update, uninstalling the recent Windows update could do the job.
Follow these steps to uninstall Windows update:
Step 1: Press Windows and I Key to get the Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security.
Step 3: Now on Update & Security window, click Windows Update.
Step 4: Locate and click View Update History, then click Uninstall Updates.
Step 5: Click on the update to select and hit Uninstall located at the upper side of the window.
Method 6. Clean Boot
Clean boot is a startup mode which just requires essential files processes, drivers and programs. Clean boot is a troubleshooting method which detects and solves performance issues within the booting process for example error messages, software conflicts and others.
Follow these steps to clean boot your PC:
Step 1: Type System Configuration on the search bar and press Enter.
Note: Press Windows and R key to get Run window and type msconfig and press Enter to open System Configuration
Step 2: Click the Services tab.
Step 3: Locate Hide all Microsoft Services from the list.
Step 4: Click Disable All button.
Step 5: Select the Startup tab
Step 6: Go to Open Task Manager
Step 7: You will get Task Manager with the Startup Tab.
Step 8: Disable the items on the list.
Once done, restart your computer.
If nothing so far worked for you, then you can Reset your computer to start it fresh. To reset your PC, follow these steps:
Still, the issue appears on your computer, then it is better to get a fresh installation on your Windows PC to make sure the issue is resolved for good.
Following these steps can be exhausting, therefore, you need to be a bit patient while performing the steps
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Признаки ошибки
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Причины неисправности
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Советы по устранению
Столкнулись с ошибкой 0x000000EF CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED в Windows 10? Как исправить и что делать при возникновении “синего экрана смерти” читайте в статье.
Признаки ошибки
Неисправность может проявлять себя в следующем:
- Появляется синий экран с ошибкой CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED (завершение критического системного процесса) и активная программа прекращает работу.
- Периодическое проявление CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED и автоматическая перезагрузка Windows.
- Зависание ОС на несколько секунд, выбивание окна с синим экраном и перезагрузка системы.
- Получение “синего экрана смерти” после запуска конкретной программы.
- Windows 10 с задержкой реагирует на команды, введенные с мыши и клавиатуры.
Важно отследить закономерность, после каких действий ОС проявилась неисправность. Этот анализ поможет в исправлении ошибки.
Причины неисправности
Stop-ошибки, к которым относится 0xEF, могут возникать из-за конфликтов оборудования с программным обеспечением или компонентов системы с драйвером. Распространенные причины:
- Драйвер для ОС был поврежден, устарел или неправильно сконфигурирован.
- Реестр Windows поврежден из-за вмешательства программ или вирусного ПО.
- Системные файлы были повреждены из-за вирусного ПО.
- Конфликт аппаратной части и установленного драйвера.
- Повреждение жесткого диска, обращение системы к битым секторам.
- Повреждение модуля оперативной памяти, невозможность чтения системой информации.
Советы по устранению
Выполните следующее:
- Войдите в безопасный режим.
- Отключите программы из автозагрузки. Проведите сканирование системы на вирусы и вредоносное ПО. Если у вас нет антивируса, используйте бесплатное решение Dr.Web CureIt.
- Если ошибка появилась после обновления драйвера, удалите или откатите до предыдущей версии. Проверьте работу Windows 10.
- Откатите систему назад, до сохраненной точки восстановления, когда ОС работала стабильно.
- Проведите сканирование и автоматическое восстановление поврежденных системный файлов Windows. Зайдите в Командная строка (администратор) и выполните команду
sfc /scannow
- Установите последние обновления Windows 10.
- Проведите сканирование жесткого диска на наличие битых секторов и сканируйте оперативную память на ошибки (программа memtest86).
- Если ошибка проявляется, создайте установочную флешку (или диск) Windows 10 и проведите восстановление или чистую установку ОС.
Возникли сложности с устранением ошибки? Напишите нам. Подробно распишите проблему, что вы уже сделали для ее решения, чтобы мы смогли помочь.