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If your Windows PC has been crashing to a blue screen for more than a year, the duration alone does not reveal the cause. Microsoft says stop-code errors can stem from hardware, a device driver, or software. Record the exact stop code and any module named after “What failed,” then troubleshoot in a measured order rather than replacing parts or resetting Windows based on the symptom alone.
What a year of recurring BSODs tells you—and what it doesn’t
A blue screen, also called a stop-code error or bug check, means Windows encountered a problem serious enough to restart or stop. Recurrence over a long period is a reason to gather better evidence, not proof that one particular component is failing. Microsoft’s guidance for Windows 10 and Windows 11 lists hardware, drivers, and software among possible causes. A stop code or named module can help focus the investigation, but neither necessarily identifies the root cause by itself. See Microsoft’s stop-code troubleshooting guidance and overview of blue-screen errors.
Before changing anything, write down the exact message, including punctuation or hexadecimal code, and any text after “What failed.” Note what the PC was doing, whether the crash happens under the same conditions, and any hardware, driver, application, or Windows changes that preceded the problem. That context helps distinguish a repeatable trigger from a code that only points to a broad category.
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Work from reversible checks toward more consequential recovery. If you can, make one change at a time and observe whether the crash pattern changes; otherwise, changing several things together can make the result harder to interpret.
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- Undo a recent hardware addition. If the problem began soon after adding a device, shut down the PC, remove that hardware, and check whether crashes continue. This is a targeted test, not evidence that unrelated hardware is faulty.
- Use Safe Mode if Windows is hard to start normally. Start Windows in Safe Mode and continue troubleshooting there. Microsoft includes Safe Mode in its general troubleshooting steps.
- Check Device Manager. Look for devices marked with a warning. For the relevant device, update its driver; if that does not help, Microsoft suggests disabling or uninstalling the device as a troubleshooting step. Use Windows Update or the PC or device manufacturer’s driver source when a driver update is indicated.
- Check free disk space. Microsoft gives 10%–15% free space as a rule of thumb on its general stop-code page and notes the amount needed depends on the computer’s configuration. Treat this as a recommendation, not a universal threshold.
- Install available Windows updates. If the crashes started after a recent update, driver, or app, and less disruptive checks have not helped, consider an appropriate recovery option rather than immediately resetting or reinstalling Windows.
How to collect more useful evidence
Check system events near a crash
Open Event Viewer and inspect the System log for errors around the time of a blue screen. The timing can help connect a crash with a device or software event, but a nearby log entry is not automatically the cause. Microsoft recommends checking system errors as part of its blue-screen guidance.
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
Microsoft also recommends Windows Memory Diagnostic as a way to check memory. A test result is evidence to consider alongside the stop code, crash pattern, and other findings; it is not a complete diagnosis of every possible cause.
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Consider memory-dump analysis only if you can interpret it
Windows may create memory-dump files that advanced users can analyze. A dump can provide additional clues, but not every dump identifies the root cause. If you cannot interpret one reliably, use the stop code and other observations to guide troubleshooting or seek qualified help rather than treating a module name as proof.
How to interpret two common stop codes
| Stop code | What Microsoft says it can indicate | How to use that clue |
|---|---|---|
| WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR | Microsoft characterizes this as a stop error displayed when a hardware error occurs. | Investigate rather than assume which component failed. Microsoft’s WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR guidance includes Windows Update, updating an implicated device driver where indicated, and System Restore or Startup Repair if a recent update, driver, or app may have triggered the problem. |
| IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xA) | Microsoft says this typically occurs when a driver or system memory accesses invalid memory. Possible causes include faulty or outdated drivers, memory issues, and hardware problems. | Check drivers and memory, but do not infer which is responsible from the code alone. See Microsoft’s 0xA troubleshooting guidance. |
When recovery is the next step
If earlier troubleshooting has not resolved the issue, choose a Windows recovery option based on whether Windows still starts or is stuck in a restart loop. Back up important files first: Microsoft warns that some recovery choices can cause data loss. Start with the least disruptive option that fits the situation, and do not jump straight to a reset or reinstall solely because the crashes have lasted a long time. Microsoft explains the choices in Recovery options in Windows.
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When to stop guessing
There is no single repair justified by the phrase “BSOD for over a year.” If the code, event logs, memory test, and checks of recent changes still do not point to a clear cause—or if Windows cannot stay running long enough to investigate—take those recorded details to a qualified repair professional. Avoid buying replacement RAM or a generic driver utility without evidence that the purchase addresses the fault; the built-in checks and targeted driver sources are the appropriate starting points for this unspecified case.
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