Best fixing unexpected BSOD kernel mode trap

Best fixing unexpected BSOD kernel mode trap.

Windows 10 may have a lot in common with its predecessors, but instability isn’t one of them. The most recent release of Windows is much more stable than previous versions, with far fewer crashes, blue screen of death (BSOD) and impossible bugs to deal with.

This does not mean that BSODs and crashes are not completely unheard of, and Windows 10 still suffers from BSODs from time to time. One of the most serious of these is an unexpected kernel mode hijacking BSOD that can be difficult to fix. If you want to know how to fix an unexpected kernel mode hijacking BSOD, you need the following.

What Causes an Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap BSOD Error in Windows 10?

Similar to a critical process died BSOD and other severe BSOD errors, an unexpected kernel mode trap BSOD can be difficult to understand. For most users, this usually happens when Windows detects incompatible hardware that causes it to stop working.

Don’t panic – this does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with your PC’s hardware, as this can also be caused by software or driver conflicts. If your device drivers are incompatible or out of date, it can cause unexpected Kernel Mode Trap BSODs.

It can also be caused by overclocking your CPU or GPU. Overclocking hardware is safe, but if the processor is loaded too far it can cause instability (causing BSODs like this). Some Internet users have also reported antiviruses and malware causing this BSOD, pointing to further software conflicts.

In most cases, troubleshooting hardware and device drivers will fix the BSOD problem. If it is not, you will need to look into other solutions, including checking the hardware for failures or reinstalling Windows.

If a hardware problem is the culprit, changing the drivers will not help much. You will need to consider upgrading your PC, replacing major components like your motherboard or processor, to fix any hardware issues.

Update Windows and Device Drivers

Microsoft releases new updates for Windows 10 regularly, from small updates every Tuesday to major new system releases once or twice a year. If you see an unexpected Kernel Mode Hooking BSOD error, then a simple solution (especially if it indicates a software problem) is to check for system and driver updates.

Drivers are software components that enable Windows to communicate with your hardware. Without the correct drivers, your computer will not be able to function properly, resulting in BSOD errors and crashes. You can check for new updates (including driver updates) in the Windows Options menu.

To start, right-click the Windows Start menu and select the Settings option. The Windows settings menu will open.

From the Settings menu, select Update & Security. From the Windows Update menu, select Check for Updates. Then select “Download” (or “Download and Install”) to start downloading and installing new updates.

Windows will automatically download and install new updates, including driver updates. You may need to restart your computer to complete the process, which can be done by right-clicking the Start menu and choosing Shut Down or Restart> Restart.

Check Manufacturer Website for Newer Driver Releases

Windows should automatically find and install the latest drivers for your hardware, but not always the latest available drivers. Some manufacturers, including video card manufacturers, are releasing new drivers faster.

To maintain stability, Microsoft will only release these drivers through Windows Update after they have been proven stable. However, if your system is faulty, installing a new driver from the manufacturer’s website may fix the problem.

For example, NVIDIA regularly releases new drivers to add features or support new graphics cards or games. If you are installing a new graphics card, you also need to install new drivers.

Windows will try to install the appropriate drivers during installation, but if that fails (or if the drivers are too old), BSOD errors such as an unexpected kernel mode BSOD trap may occur. While installing new drivers is not a magic bullet, it should fix the problem for many users.

Scan for Corrupted System Files

The unexpected kernel mode hijacking BSOD error is usually hardware or driver related, but does not rule out an issue with Windows itself. Corrupted files affecting the kernel (including the kernel process ntoskrnl.exe) will cause crashes and BSODs, so the only way to fix this problem is to scan (and fix) corrupted system files.

To do this, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option. This will open a new PowerShell terminal.

In the PowerShell window, enter sfc / scannow. This will launch the SFC cleanup tool that will automatically fix any corrupted system files. Once this is done, check your disk for errors by typing chkdsk / r.

If Windows (and your system drive) are not reporting issues, then you need to investigate a little deeper by testing the hardware and using Windows’ native BSOD troubleshooting tool.

Run BSOD Troubleshooting Tool

The Windows Troubleshooter is a new addition to Windows 10 that allows you to quickly diagnose and fix problems with different parts of the Windows operating system.

To run the BSOD troubleshooter, right-click the start menu and select the Update & Security option. From there, select Troubleshoot> Advanced Troubleshooters, then select Blue Screen> Run Troubleshooter to run the troubleshooter. If you don’t see the Blue Screen option, select Hardware and Devices.

The BSOD troubleshooter will launch and check your system for errors. Follow the additional on-screen instructions to fix any issues you find.

Check Your PC Hardware

If your hardware is malfunctioning, updating drivers or running the Windows troubleshooter won’t do much. You will need to additionally troubleshoot the equipment, check its functionality and replace it if necessary.

This can be difficult to diagnose, especially if you don’t have additional testing equipment. If your computer is still running, you can run load level testing software such as MemTest86 (for testing RAM) or PassMark (for testing CPU and other hardware).

You should also check the inside of the computer by dusting the case and case fans and check that the components and wires are installed correctly. A loose wire or a dusty terminal can be enough to cause a BSOD error, so check if everything is connected correctly before rushing to replace components.

Next Steps

Fixing the BSOD error can be tricky, but if you see an unexpected kernel mode trap BSOD error on your Windows 10 PC, you can usually fix it by following the steps above. Updating drivers and checking for hardware issues will fix the problem for most users, but this is not guaranteed.

This may not be enough, so don’t rule out upgrading your PC‘s components. Before doing this, however, you can try reinstalling Windows, which should fix any conflicting software or driver issues.

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