Is Your PC Stuck on the Red Screen of Death? Windows 10 & 11 Fixes

The Red Screen of Death (RSOD) is one of the rarest but most alarming Windows errors. Unlike the more common Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), RSOD often locks up your entire system and usually points to driver issues, BIOS/UEFI problems, or hardware malfunctions.

What Causes the Red Screen of Death?

Several issues can trigger RSOD on Windows:

• Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
• Overclocking instability (CPU, GPU, RAM)
• Corrupted or incompatible BIOS/UEFI settings
• Hardware failures (GPU, RAM, PSU, overheating)
• Damaged system files or incomplete updates

See also: How to Fix Blue Screen Error in Windows

1. Boot into Safe Mode

RSOD may stop normal startup, so begin with Safe Mode:

1. Restart your PC.
2. Press F8 (legacy boot on Windows 10) or hold Shift + Restart.
3. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
4. Select Safe Mode and boot.

This allows troubleshooting without RSOD interruptions.

2. Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

Faulty GPU drivers are the #1 cause of RSOD.

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X).
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click GPU → Uninstall device.
4. Restart your PC.

Then install the latest drivers from official sources:

• NVIDIA Drivers
• AMD Drivers
• Intel Drivers

For AMD cards, if Catalyst Control Center causes issues, manually install the driver via Device Manager instead.

3. Remove Overclocking Settings

Overclocking can push hardware beyond safe limits. To reset:

• Enter BIOS/UEFI (press Del, F2, or Esc at startup).
• Select Load Optimized Defaults.
• Disable XMP/DOCP for RAM if enabled.
• Save and exit.

If you use apps like MSI Afterburner, Intel XTU, or Ryzen Master, reset all values to default or uninstall the tool.

4. Reset or Update BIOS/UEFI

Outdated or corrupted BIOS can trigger RSOD.

1. Check BIOS version (Win + R → msinfo32).
2. Download the latest BIOS from your motherboard manufacturer.
3. Copy it to a FAT32 USB drive.
4. Use EZ Flash / M-Flash / Q-Flash in BIOS to update.

Follow manufacturer instructions carefully — a failed BIOS update can brick your system.

5. Repair System Files

Corrupt Windows files may trigger crashes. Run these commands in Command Prompt (Admin):

sfc /scannow

Then:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot after scanning.

6. Remove Recently Installed Software

Some apps conflict with GPU drivers and cause RSOD:

• Use an uninstaller tool to clean leftover files.
• Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features.
• Uninstall recently installed or suspicious programs.

7. Test Hardware for Stability

If RSOD happens under heavy load, test components:

• RAM → Windows Memory Diagnostic
• GPU → FurMark or 3DMark stress test
• CPU → Prime95 stress test
• Temps → HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner

If crashes only occur during stress tests, your hardware may be failing.

8. Fix AMD Driver File (atikmdag.sys)

For AMD GPUs, RSOD can be linked to a corrupted atikmdag.sys driver file:

• Locate atikmdag.sy_ in the AMD driver folder.
• Copy it to Desktop.
• Run Command Prompt as admin:

chdir Desktop
EXPAND.EXE atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys

• Replace the old file in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers with the new one.
• Restart your PC.

9. System Restore or Reset

If none of the above works:

• System Restore → Roll back to a working point.
• Reset this PC → Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC (choose Keep my files).

The Red Screen of Death on Windows 10 & 11 is rare but usually tied to graphics drivers, overclocking, or BIOS misconfigurations. Following the steps above should resolve most cases.

If RSOD continues, it may point to failing hardware (GPU, RAM, or PSU). In such cases, test with spare parts or consult a technician.