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Blue screen errors: software or hardware?

Windows blue screen crashes can be caused by drivers, updates, memory or a failing drive. The stop code and the pattern of crashes help point to the cause.

1 min readBy the Wepairs team

A young technician repairing a computer in a workshop

A blue screen, sometimes called a stop error, happens when Windows hits a problem it cannot safely recover from. One crash after an update is not unusual. Repeated crashes are a sign something needs attention.

Note the stop code

The blue screen shows a stop code, such as a short phrase in capital letters. Take a photo of it. The same code appearing again and again is a strong clue for diagnosis.

Common software causes

  • A new or faulty driver, often graphics, Wi-Fi or storage
  • A recent Windows update that did not install cleanly
  • Security or system utility software conflicting with Windows
  • Corrupted system files

Signs it is hardware

  • Crashes continue after drivers and Windows are updated
  • The laptop freezes or crashes under load or when warm
  • Files become corrupted or the laptop is slow to start
  • Clicking noises from an older hard drive
  • The crashes started after a drop or liquid spill

What we check

We test memory and storage health, check temperatures and review crash logs. If the drive is failing, we will advise on recovering your data first. You get a clear explanation and a price before any repair goes ahead.

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