How can I tell why my computer blue screens?

For the last few days, my computer has been "Bluescreening". Is there a way to tell through Windows 11 what the culprit is? If so, how?

Well for starts I would suggest to follow the instructions in the pinned post a the top. In a nut shell it's typically due to a buggy driver, so if you want to update all of your drivers (where updates are available) there is a chance that will resolve the issue. The other 10% of the time it's hardware causing the issue.

Please follow the Posting Instructions but if you want to investigate yourself use the video i posted to get information about BSOD error message.

Find out why you got a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error and how to stop it.

When I've gotten a BSOD, the first thing I do after Windows starts again is to launch the Event Viewer with administrator privileges. Then I look under Windows Logs. In fact, I just got a BSOD earlier today, and the Application Log contained the BlueScreen event, which included a link to the minidump.

Eksy61 said:

When I've gotten a BSOD, the first thing I do after Windows starts again is to launch the Event Viewer with administrator privileges. Then I look under Windows Logs. In fact, I just got a BSOD earlier today, and the Application Log contained the BlueScreen event, which included a link to the minidump.

Click to expand...

I'm having trouble with the aforementioned tool (V2 log collector), it says something about having a Controlled Folder Access error (it's enabled) and I don't know how to disable it, since my security is handled by Bitdefender, and there doesn't seem to be much documentation on it.

Controlled folder access here. I would disable bit defender while troubleshooting.

AV software can interfere with running V2.

This is common with bitdefender.

Please uninstall bitdefender using the applicable uninstall tool.

I ended up having to remove BitDefender.

Crash Dump here: JOSH-PC-(2024-04-02_08-19-34).zip

Thanks @zbook

BitDefender re-installed, new Crash Dump. BSOD immediately after re-installing BitDefender Total Security, prior to any reboot. When my system came back up, I confirmed that BitDefender had been re-installed and protection was enabled.

Crash Dump 4/3/24 - Here

1) Run Tuneup plus > post a share link




2) The BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 3701, 3/31/2017

Upgrade the BIOS 3701 > 3801 (the most up to date non-beta BIOS)

I haven't tried the steps in the previous post, yet. I should be getting a USB in the mail today so I can upgrade the BIOS. What I've noticed with my Logitech headset is that I'll hear the power up/connection beeps, then it'll immediately power down. This happens repeatedly. This did not happen a few weeks ago, it's new.

I'll still upgrade my BIOS, but I have a feeling that my headset has gone bad. I've heard this particular model doesn't seem to last long, which is very unfortunate because of it's comfort and how the mic retracts into a groove that shows no bumps after being retracted.

I did buy a replacement headset, same model, just to see if I had a "lemon" in the first place. Before replacing it, I will run the steps in the previous post.

CartmansPiehole said:

For the last few days, my computer has been "Bluescreening". Is there a way to tell through Windows 11 what the culprit is? If so, how?

Click to expand...

Usually a hardware driver that's causing Windows to crash. You'll have to update it.

I've updated my BIOS to 3801. This is my first boot with it. A few things I'm noticing at first boot:

• Logitech G935 headset seems to be working as expected
• When I click the Windows File Explorer icon, the File Explorer actually opens up. Before, I had to create a shortcut to a specific folder to open up File Explorer.
• Win+E works to open File Explorer. It previously wasn't working.

I will test two other things that were also causing issues:

• BSOD when Watching YouYouTube TV. At first, I was thinking this was just a problem of the Chrome browser, it wasn't.
• Restart/shutdown previous wasn't working

I'll post back in the next couple of days after testing all this out to ensure this wasn't just a fluke and if I have any issues from a cold boot, rather than a restart after the BIOS update.

zbook said:

1) Run Tuneup plus > post a share link

Upgrade the BIOS 3701 > 3801 (the most up to date non-beta BIOS)

Click to expand...

Pastebin share Link

BIOS Upgrade complete. Did not help, still blue-screened.

Please post a new V2 share link into the newest post.

zbook said:

Please post a new V2 share link into the newest post.

Click to expand...

New V2 link here.

1) Please uninstall Bitdefender using the applicable uninstall tool.

2) Make sure that Microsoft defender is on.

3) Bitdefender can be reinstalled after one week of computer stability (no unexpected shutdowns and restarts including BSOD)

4) List attached Logitech hardware

5) Detach all Logitech hardware and uninstall all Logitech software / drivers

6) What is the manufacturer of the webcam?

7) Uninstall or uninstall and reinstall Intel extreme tuning utility drivers icobios2 sys

8) Uninstall or uninstall and reinstall Intel hardware accelerated execution manager HAXM service intelhaxm.sys






bdprivmon.sys Bitdefender

1) Please uninstall Bitdefender using the applicable uninstall tool


2) Make sure that Microsoft defender is on.


3) Bitdefender can be reinstalled after one week of computer stability (no unexpected shutdowns and restarts including BSOD)


4) List attached Logitech hardware


5) Detach all Logitech hardware and uninstall all Logitech software / drivers


6) What is the manufacturer of the webcam?


7) Uninstall or uninstall and reinstall Intel extreme tuning utility software / drivers icobios2 sys


8) Uninstall or uninstall and reinstall Intel hardware accelerated execution manager HAXM software / service / driver intelhaxm.sys





bdprivmon.sys Bitdefender

@zbook,

I actually disabled Bitdefender last night after the Bluescreen to run one of the other tests. I haven't had a Bluescreen, since, so I was leaning towards it being the culprit. I will follow through with your instructions and get back to you, thanks.

Please uninstall bitdefender instead of disabling it.