If you’ve ever seen a blue screen of death (BSOD) on your computer, you know how annoying it can be. Especially if the error is related to the ntoskrnl.exe file. Today, we’ll figure out what this error is, why it appears, and how to fix it.
This article will be useful and understandable even for beginners, so if you are not an IT guru, don’t worry – everything will be simple and factual!
What is ntoskrnl.exe
The ntoskrnl.exe (Windows NT Operating System Kernel) process is one of the core components of the Windows operating system that is responsible for managing system memory, processes, and hardware.
It’s part of the Windows NT architecture that modern versions of Windows are based on, and when it has problems, it can cause a blue screen.
Main functions of Windows NT Operating System Kernel
- Memory Management : ntoskrnl.exe is responsible for allocating and managing system memory. This includes managing physical memory, virtual memory, and memory protection.
- Process scheduling : The kernel determines which processes and threads should be running at any given time and manages their priorities. It ensures that processor resources are distributed efficiently among all running applications.
- Handling hardware abstractions : ntoskrnl.exe provides the operating system with an abstraction layer to interact with the hardware. This allows the OS to work with different hardware without requiring significant changes to the kernel itself.
- System call handling : The kernel handles system calls from user applications and implements support for low-level OS functions such as file system management, network connections, and security.
- Security : ntoskrnl.exe plays an important role in maintaining system security by managing access to resources, monitoring system events, and handling exceptions.
The main reasons for the error
- Driver issues : Incorrectly installed or outdated drivers are often the cause of the error;
- RAM issues : Bad memory modules can cause errors;
- Hard drive problems: damage at the physical level or in the file system;
- Viruses and malware : Various malicious programs can affect the operation of system files;
- System file errors : Registry errors or corrupted system files can also cause a blue screen to appear.
Detailed instructions on how to fix the ntoskrnl.exe error
Check your drivers
Update your drivers:
- Press the key combination “Win + X” or right-click on the “Windows” icon and select “Device Manager”;
- Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks;
- Right-click on the device and select “Update driver”.
Rollback drivers:
- If the problem appeared after updating the driver, it might be worth rolling it back;
- In the Device Manager, find the desired device, go to its properties and select “Roll Back Driver”.
Memory check
Use Windows Memory Diagnostic:
- Press “Win + R”, type “mdsched.exe” and press “Enter”;
- Select “Restart and check” (recommended);
- After rebooting, the system will test the RAM and display the results.
Checking the hard drive
Perform a disk check:
- In the Start menu, search for Command Prompt using the search engine. Right-click on it, then select Run as administrator.
- Enter “chkdsk C: /F /R”, where C: is the HDD partition, /F is automatic problem solving, /R is checking for bad sectors and restoring damaged information. Then press “Enter”.
- You will be asked to reboot your computer to check the disk – agree.
Checking system files
Run SFC (System File Checker):
- Open Command Prompt with administrator rights;
- Type “sfc /scannow” and press “Enter”;
- The process may take some time. SFC will attempt to detect and repair corrupted system files.
System Restore
Use a restore point:
- Use the keyboard shortcut “Win + S”. In the search, enter “Create a restore point”.
- In the System Protection tab, select the drive for which you want to create a restore point, then click Configure.
- In the window that opens, select “Enable system protection”, then “OK”, and “Create”.
- Then follow the instructions on the screen.
Checking the registry
Cleaning the registry:
System update
Check for Windows updates:
- Use the combination “Win + I” and select “Update and Security”;
- Click Check for Updates and install all available updates.
Virus check
Check your computer with an antivirus:
- Use your installed antivirus to perform a full system scan;
- Or download free tools for additional verification.
Additional tips
- Create system restore points regularly;
- Install only proven drivers and programs;
- Clean the registry periodically using specialized utilities;
- Update BIOS when necessary.
If you encounter a blue screen and ntoskrnl.exe error on Windows 10, don’t panic. This is a common problem that can be solved with a few simple steps. Check your drivers, RAM, hard drive, and system files.
If nothing helps, use System Restore or reinstall Windows.
We hope that our tips helped you to cope with this error. And, of course, do not forget to share this article with your friends. Good luck in fixing all computer problems!