A hard drive blue screen is also known as a STOP error that appears when Windows encounters a serious issue. The problem is so serious that Windows has no other option than to stop completely. For most of the users, the external hard drive causes this blue screen error. Most of these errors show a STOP code that you can use to figure out the root cause of this error. Corrupted or faulty hardware or device driver is the most significant cause of this error. Often, you may note that corrupted external hard drive causes blue screen. Therefore, follow this article if your computer reboots automatically after encountering this BSOD.
Know the Common Fixes to Eliminate the Hard Drive Blue Screen Error
You can try any of the following tips to get out of this issue.
Tip 1: Perform a System Restore
This process will take back the system to a previous state when everything was working correctly.
- So, create a backup of all the files on your PC and close the running applications.
- Go to ‘Programs’ and click on ‘Accessories.’
- Then, navigate to ‘System Tools’ and select ‘System Restore’ to open the System Restore window.
- Uncheck the ‘System Restore’ option and tap ‘Next’ to get the list of the recent restore points on your PC.
- If no restore point is available, then choose ‘Recommended Restore’ option and hit the ‘Next’ button.
- Check the ‘Show restore points older than 5 days’ option and click ‘Next’ again.
- Select a proper restore point and click the ‘Finish’ button to restore your system.
- Restart your PC and check whether the ‘Drive Blue Screen’ error is resolved or not.
Tip 2: Install the Pending Updates for Windows
Windows periodically check for updates and install them on your PC. But, still, it is better to check whether Windows has released any new updates or not. You can do that by the following steps:
Windows 7
- Open the Control Panel and click ‘Windows Update’ to see the pending updates if any.
- Click the ‘Install’ button next to the pending updates to install them on your PC.
- If you come across other related updates, then install them as well.
- Windows might prompt you to reboot your PC. So, do that after installing the updates.
Windows 10
- Go to ‘Update and Security’ and click the ‘Check for updates’ button.
- You won’t find an update if there are no pending updates for Windows. You will also receive a message that Windows is up to date.
- If updates are available, then Windows will download them automatically on your PC.
- The progress status bar will appear on the screen and disappear when the update gets complete.
- Windows will show a message that ‘Restart required’ once the process is over.
- You can either reboot your system or schedule a reboot.
- To reboot now, save all your existing work, close the running applications and select ‘Restart now.’
- To schedule a reboot on a later date, choose ‘Schedule the restart’ and slide the toggle on.
- After that, choose a time when you would like the reboot to take place.
Tip 3: Install the Latest Version of Drivers
- Search for Device Manager and launch it on your PC.
- Check which of the device lacks an updated driver.
- Then, right-click on those devices one at a time and select ‘Update Driver.’
- Now, let Windows browse for the latest version of the driver.
- If such a driver is available, then Windows download and installs it automatically on your behalf.
- In rare cases, users need to search for an updated driver manually when Windows fail to do this task.
Tip 4: Check for Hard Disk Errors
- Click on the ‘Start’ menu and choose ‘Computer.’
- Right-click on the main drive where your Windows is installed and choose ‘Properties’.
- Go to the ‘Tools’ tab and navigate to the ‘Error checking’ section.
- Tap the ‘Check now’ button and check the box for ‘automatically fix file system errors.’
- Select the ‘Scan for and attempt recovery bad sectors’ option as well.
- Hit the ‘Start’ button below the window to start scanning the hard disk.
Tip 5: Check for Memory Issues
Open the Control Panel, type ‘Memory’ in the search box and press ‘Enter.’ Select ‘Diagnose your computer’s memory problems’ from the list of search results. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to fix the glitches in your computer’s memory.
Tip 6: Startup Repair
Start Repair is a built-in tool for Windows that can work if a recovery option is preinstalled on your PC. Alternatively, you can use the original installation disk or the system recovery disk for the Startup Repair.
We have explained this method with respect to the Startup Repair, pre-installed on the system.
- Remove all external devices like CDs, DVDs, or USBs and restart your PC.
- As the computer reboots, press and hold the ‘F8’ key until the Windows logo appears.
- When the ‘Advanced Boot Options’ screen appears, select ‘Repair your computer’ and press ‘Enter.’
- Choose a preferred keyboard layout and hit the ‘Next’ button.
- Select ‘Startup Repair’ on the ‘System Recovery Options’ window to run this tool.
Follow this process if you have the original installation or recovery disk with you.
- Insert the installation or recovery disk into your PC and press any key to boot from it.
- Choose your preferred language and keyboard layout and then tap the ‘Next’ button.
- Choose ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Startup Repair’ at the ‘System Recovery Options’ screen.
Tip 7: Uninstall the Recent Updates
If the recent system updates seem to be conflicting with the Hard drive, then uninstall them.
- Open the Control Panel and choose ‘System and Security.’
- Move your way to the ‘Windows update’ section and choose ‘View installed updates.’
- Then, locate the recent system updates and tap the ‘Uninstall’ button.
- Restart your PC and check whether the blue screen of death hard drive error is removed or not.
Note that the uninstallation of the update files might lead to loss of data or affect the functioning of other programs. Hence, it is advisable to backup your system before applying this solution.
Tip 8: Scan for Viruses or Malware
Many tools are available for detecting virus and malware. Search for such a tool and install it on your PC. Then, run it to scan the system for malicious programs. If the scanning result highlights any traces of malicious programs, then use an antivirus or antimalware to remove them from your PC.
Tip 9: Update the BIOS
Often an outdated BIOS seems to be the actual cause of hard drive blue screen issue. Therefore, we would suggest updating BIOS to its latest version. Here is the process of updating BIOS.
- Go to the Start menu and enter ‘ms info’ into the search box.
- Select ‘System Information’ to check the model name and BIOS version of your PC.
- Note down the manufacturer’s name and visit the manufacturer’s website.
- Click ‘Update’ and choose ‘Supports and Downloads’ and select ‘BIOS Update File.’
- The BIOS needs an update if its version number is lower than that of the file’s version number.
- The BIOS does not require an update if both the BIOS version number and the file’s version numbers are identical.
- If an update is needed, then click the ‘Download’ link to do the same.
Tip 10: Update the Hardware’s Firmware
- Connect your device to a PC via a USB cable.
- Then, open the Control Panel and expand ‘Devices and Printers.’
- Select your device, go to ‘Settings’ and locate the firmware.
- Right-click on the firmware and select the ‘Check for updates’ option.
- Restart your device so that the changes can take effect.
- Hope, the hard drive blue screen error won’t repeat itself again.
We assure you that these solutions are going to resolve your issue. But, if the problem continues, then you might have to replace the hardware or reinstall the software.