How to Fix ntkrnlmp.exe Blue Screen Error in Windows 10 and 11

The ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen error usually points to a deep system-level failure inside Windows. It often appears after random crashes, system freezes, or repeated restarts with a Blue Screen of Death. In many cases, the error is triggered by unstable drivers, corrupted system files, or memory-related issues rather than the kernel file itself.

Fix 1: Verify system file integrity first

If core Windows files are damaged, the kernel cannot operate reliably. This check always comes first before testing hardware or drivers.

Steps

1. Press Win + S, type Command Prompt
2. Right-click Command Prompt → select Run as administrator
3. Type the following command and press Enter

sfc /scannow

1. Wait for the scan to reach 100%
2. If SFC reports errors were fixed, restart the PC

If Windows reports no integrity violations or crashes continue after repair, move to the next fix.

Fix 2: Repair the Windows image using DISM

If SFC cannot fully repair files, the Windows image itself may be corrupted. DISM restores the source Windows components.

Steps

• Open Command Prompt as administrator again
• Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Restart your computer after completion

If system stability does not improve, driver and update consistency must be checked next.

Fix 3: Update Windows and all hardware drivers

Kernel crashes commonly occur when outdated or incompatible drivers interact with newer Windows builds.

Steps

1. Press Win + I → Windows Update
2. Click Check for updates
3. Install all available updates
4. Go to Advanced options
5. Open Optional updates
6. Install all Driver updates
7. Restart the system

If the blue screen still appears after updates, memory stability becomes the next priority.

Fix 4: Test system memory for errors

Faulty RAM can trigger ntkrnlmp.exe crashes even if Windows appears to load normally.

Steps

1. Press Win + R
2. Type mdsched.exe → press Enter
3. Select Restart now and check for problems
4. Allow Windows Memory Diagnostic to complete
5. Log in after reboot and note any error messages

If no memory errors are found and crashes continue, background software conflicts must be ruled out.

Fix 5: Perform a clean boot to isolate conflicts

Third-party drivers and startup services can interfere with kernel operations without showing clear warnings.

Steps

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, press Enter
2. Open the Services tab
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services
4. Click Disable all
5. Go to the Startup tab
6. Click Open Task Manager
7. Disable all startup items
8. Restart the PC

If the system becomes stable, re-enable services gradually to identify the cause. If crashes persist, disk integrity must be verified next.

Fix 6: Check the system drive for errors

File system corruption on the system drive can repeatedly trigger kernel-level crashes.

Steps

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Run the command

chkdsk C: /f /r

• Type Y when prompted
• Restart the computer
• Allow the scan to complete fully

If disk errors are repaired and the issue continues, firmware-level settings may be involved.

Fix 7: Reset BIOS/UEFI settings to default

Overclocking or unstable firmware configurations can cause kernel crashes even on healthy systems.

Steps

1. Restart the PC
2. Enter BIOS/UEFI (usually F2, DEL, or ESC during boot)
3. Select Load Optimized Defaults or Load Default Settings
4. Save changes and exit
5. Boot into Windows normally

If the issue persists after this step, the problem is likely hardware-related or requires a Windows repair install.

FAQs

What is ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen error in Windows?

The ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen error occurs when the Windows kernel encounters a critical failure. It is usually caused by driver conflicts, corrupted system files, faulty memory, or disk errors rather than the ntkrnlmp.exe file itself.

Is ntkrnlmp.exe a virus?

No. ntkrnlmp.exe is a core Windows system file required for system operations. If it appears in a blue screen error, the problem is almost always related to hardware, drivers, or system instability—not malware.

Why does ntkrnlmp.exe keep crashing my PC?

Repeated crashes usually indicate unstable drivers, RAM issues, or corrupted Windows components. In some cases, outdated BIOS settings or third-party software conflicts can also trigger the error.

Does ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen mean RAM failure?

Not always, but faulty RAM is a common cause. This is why Windows Memory Diagnostic is an important step when system file repairs and updates do not resolve the issue.

Can outdated drivers cause ntkrnlmp.exe BSOD?

Yes. Incompatible or outdated drivers can directly interact with the Windows kernel and cause ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen errors, especially after Windows updates.

Will reinstalling Windows fix ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen error?

A repair install often resolves the issue if system corruption is involved. However, if the blue screen is caused by failing hardware, reinstalling Windows alone will not fix it.

Is ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen error serious?

Yes. This error indicates kernel-level instability, which can lead to data loss or system damage if ignored. It should be fixed as soon as possible using proper diagnostics.

In most cases, ntkrnlmp.exe blue screen errors are resolved during the early system file, update, or memory checks. If the problem continues after all fixes, a Windows repair install or hardware diagnostics for RAM and storage should be considered. Persistent kernel crashes should not be ignored, as they often signal underlying instability.