Fix Critical Process Died in Windows 10 Error

Melanie Gross
May 10, 2017
Updated • Oct 28, 2021
Windows, Windows 10
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34

If you're here because a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) with the error Critical_Process_Died message popped up on your screen, interrupting your work and causing your computer to reboot, then you can let out a sigh of relief: we have some solutions for you.

BSoDs, also known as STOP errors or STOP codes, are part of the Windows operating system since Windows NT 3.1, which was released in 1993. Considered by many users as the most annoying part of the operating system, these special error messages are displayed when a fatal system error happens. Their purpose is to inform the user about the potential cause and prevent damage to the system.
Typical causes of BSoDs include software bugs, bad drivers, faulty memory, power supply issues, overheating, and overclocking, just to name a few. There are over 500 known BSoD error codes, including the code of 0x000000EF, which refers to the Windows 10 error Critical_Process_Died.

When the Critical_Process_Died error happens in Windows 10, you see nothing but a blue screen with the following error message:

  • Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We are just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you.
  • If you'd like to know more, you can search online later for this error: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

So, you search for the error only to find little to know useful information. Tha's where this article comes in. Even if you are far from being a computer wizard who lives in the command line, you'll be able to get rid of this pesky BSoD in no time.

What Causes the Critical Process Died Error?

windows 10 critical process died

The Windows operating system ensures that only authorized applications can access certain data and parts of the system. When a critical component of Windows detects an unauthorized modification to its data, it immediately steps in, causing the Critical Process Died error to happen.

In most cases, the culprit is a buggy driver. For example, sound card drivers are notoriously full of bugs, and the same applies to certain printers and wireless expansion cards. But sometimes the cause of the error isn't immediately obvious. There are reports of the Critical_Process_Died error happening to owners of brand-new laptops, and it's not unheard of for the error to spontaneously start happening on a computer that has been running flawlessly for years.

That's why it's paramount to take a broader approach and address multiple potential causes at once. You may start with any method described in this article or try them one by one; it's entirely up to you. We highly recommend you perform throughout testing after every step you take, so you know which solution was the right one.

How to Fix Critical Process Died Error in Windows 10?

From poorly written device drivers to damaged system files to viruses to faulty storage devices, the following solutions address all of these issues. You don't have to be a computer expert to implement them, either just follow our instructions and move at your own pace.

Safe Mode and Clean Boot

enable safe mode

Depending on how deep the problem causing the Critical_Process_Died error goes, you may not be able to boot your PC. This often happens when a corrupted driver is initialized as soon as Windows loads up. If you can't log in, how can you fix anything? The answer is simple: get into Safe Mode or perform Clean Boot.

How to enter Safe Mode in Windows 10:

  • Try booting several times until you see a list of three boot options.
  • Click on Troubleshoot to see advanced options.
  • Select Advanced options.
  • Select Startup Settings.
  • Click on the Restart button.
  • Select Enable Safe Mode.

If you can log in, you can also use Clean Boot, which starts Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.

How to perform Clean Boot in Windows 10:

msconfig

  • Open the start menu and type msconfig.
  • Hit enter to open the System Configuration application.
  • Go to the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft services option.
  • Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  • Disable all services you see.
  • Restart your computer.

Both Safe Mode and Clean Boot should temporarily fix the Critical_Process_Died error, allowing you to apply the solutions described below.

Revert to the Previous Working State

Assuming your operating system had been working just fine until you've installed an update or a new driver, the simplest solution how to get rid of the Critical_Process_Died error is to revert to the previous working state.

You can either manually uninstall the problematic piece of software or use System Restore to go back in time and use automatically created backups that Windows 10 kindly creates for you before every major update or system change.

How to use system restore in Windows 10:

windows system restore

  • Open the Start menu.
  • Type system restore
  • Click on the Create a restore point option.
  • Under System Protection, click on System Restore
  • A dialog window will appear and show you all restore points available.
  • Select any restore point you want and confirm your selection.
  • Wait until Windows finishes making changes.

While the restore feature won't delete your personal documents and files, it may delete some applications and settings. Windows 10 allows you to scan for programs and drivers that will be deleted when you revert to a previous version. Note them down and reinstall them with utmost caution.

Update Drivers

verifier

Aging system drivers can wreak havoc on any computer. Some hardware manufacturers offer handy software utilities that take care of driver updates for you, but most leave this critical procedure up to users.

When you purchase a new device, go straight to the official website of the manufacturer and download the latest drivers of the support page. Avoid beta drivers as well as unsigned drivers from hardware manufacturers with shady reputation.

Microsoft's Driver Verifier can help you monitor Windows kernel-mode drivers and graphics drivers to detect illegal function calls or actions that might corrupt the system. This handy utility is part of Windows 10, and you can launch it by typing verifier into a Command Prompt window.
You can also download applications capable of automatically updating all installed drivers at once. These include DriverPack Solution, SlimDrivers, Driver Easy, and others.

Driver Easy

Version 5.6.12.37077

Perform Hardware Tests

memtest86

Whenever you built or buy a new PC, it’s a good idea to test how stable it is. To start, we recommend you put your computer under heavy load using a free stress test tool like the fittingly-named HeavyLoad utility. You want your computer to stay stable indefinitely under any load, if it fails to do so, it's time to test individual components.

MemTest86 is the most popular memory test software, with the origin going back to 1994. CrystalDiskInfo can help you take advantage of the S.M.A.R.T. monitoring system included in all modern computer hard disk drives and solid-state drives. With it, you can see disk error codes, detect a possible imminent drive failure, and more. A solid temperature monitoring program, such as Open Hardware Monitor, provides insight into how hot or cold your computer is running.

Use the System File Checker (SFC) Tool

sfc scannow

System File Checker, commonly known as SFC, is a utility in Windows that makes it possible for users to scan for corruption in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. The utility looks for files that fall under Windows Resource Protection (WRP), which prevents the replacement of essential system files, folders, and registry keys that are installed as part of the operating system, as described by Microsoft.

How to use the SFC tool to repair system files:

  • Open the Start menu.
  • Type cmd.
  • Right-click on the first result (Command Prompt) and select Run as administrator.
  • Type sfc /scannow and hit enter.
  • Wait for the process to finish and restart your computer.

Scan for Malware

hitmanpro.alert

With around 200,000 new malware samples released every day, no computer connected to the internet is truly safe. While modern anti-malware solutions offer a satisfactory level of protection against the latest cyber threats, your operating system can still become infected, and you may not even know about it.

We recommend an on-demand malware scanner such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, AdwCleaner, HitmanPro, or SUPERAntiSpyware. These advanced security solutions can work alongside your current virus scanner, increasing your chances of catching even the nastiest cyber-bugs before they can cause any damage.

Keep in mind that you should always address the root cause of the infection not just put a Band-Aid on it. Consider disabling Flash in your web browser, install an ad-blocker, and avoid visiting harmful sites full of invasive adds.

Last Resort: Reinstall Your Operating System

When everything else fails, it's time to reinstall your operating system. Sometimes it's just quicker and easier to back up important data and start from scratch than spend hours and hours trying to find the right solution.

Grab a USB drive, back up your documents, music, pictures, videos, and everything else that you don't want to lose and find the official installation medium of Windows 10. Let the installer wipe out your entire system partition and complete the installation procedure.

Before you start installing your system drivers and your favorite software, spend a few hours using Windows 10 without any extras to verify that the reinstall has fixed the Critical_Process_Died error. Once you're sure, add programs slowly, always taking a lot of time to ensure that everything works as it should.

Final Words

If you try each above-described method, you should solve the Windows 10 error Critical_Process_Died in no time. The good news is that once you solve it once, it's highly unlikely that it will ever make a comeback. What's more, the methods described in this article can be used to diagnose and solve many other BSoD error codes and other computer problems.

Summary
Fix Critical Process Died in Windows 10 Error
Article Name
Fix Critical Process Died in Windows 10 Error
Description
The following troubleshooting guide provides you with information on the Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death (BSod) error Critical_Process_Died.
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Publisher
Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Bravo Mike said on July 18, 2021 at 5:28 am
    Reply

    It’s been two weeks now since I got the Stop code critical process died. (BSoD) on my Lenovo IdeaPad 520. I scan Duckduckgo, UC, Google & YouTube hoping i can find the solution, but seems still hanging. I tried all the procedures as instructed, the CHKDSK scan, SFC scan, MSCONFIG, Vmic, Botrec, MBR, but same fails. I try also flashing the windows 10 thru USB, but denied in the process. All I can access is tru the command prompt only.
    Still hoping I can find the solution.

  2. Andy Sochanik said on January 12, 2021 at 11:50 pm
    Reply

    Not at all helpful. I have “Critical Process Died” and one of your suggestions is click the Start Menu – Choose CMD & select “Run as Administrator”
    Brilliant!
    Only trouble is, I have a BSoD, so no Start Menu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    She will not Safe Start either.
    This PC is at leasr 5yrs old, and last year I fitted SSD & moved up to Win10.
    For about a year, no trouble at all – but BSoD yesterday.
    Have unplugged everything, Have tried both RAM individually in both slots – no change in behaviour.
    Due to house move, unable to find installation disc/file….
    Stuffed!

  3. Thor said on November 28, 2020 at 7:57 pm
    Reply

    I solved the problem of mine.
    I open the cpu case and take out 1 hard disk. Found that the temperature is very hot. I just unplug my second hard disk. Then after cooling down and power on the pc… Glad my files are save. Hope it helps

  4. Ben Myers said on July 20, 2020 at 11:30 pm
    Reply

    You know that none of this works when a system won’t boot up at all? The system I have here starts booting and eventually stops with the Critical Process Died error. Same if I try to boot into safe mode. How about a real solution for a non-booting computer?

  5. Shara Edirisooriya said on July 1, 2020 at 12:01 pm
    Reply

    Hi, I have an asus M580D laptop with windows 10 installed. It’s getting stucked and enter blue screen “critical process died” and restarts. When it restarts there is no hdd available for boot. I tried changing hdd to m.2 sdd also. Still the problemis same. Please help me.

    1. Anonymous said on July 2, 2020 at 3:23 pm
      Reply

      did u get any solution buddy???

  6. daniel said on January 12, 2020 at 7:18 am
    Reply

    i tried all of those above,and none the options work. no reset,no system restore,not even booting up windows 10 disc to reinstall. so what do i do know? Every option has failed for me. i cant even reinstall. it wont boot disk? help

    1. Joseph said on April 20, 2020 at 12:57 am
      Reply

      so any luck ?? same for me

  7. Cliff said on November 24, 2019 at 1:13 pm
    Reply

    Why is half of this article explaing to me how I found the article?? Duh, I literally just did it. I don’t need a play by play.

  8. richard Walters said on October 21, 2019 at 9:55 am
    Reply

    rJ

    I was going to purchase a new HP Pro-notebook but within the first week of using it, I noticed it was slowing to the extent that my friends old Win7 stalwart was having a performance hayday.

    Whilst Win 10 still running I checked using the reliability monitor which keeps an eye on the performance and it showed 1/10, so something was amiss and barely seconds later the dreaded BSoD appeared. I did everything and able to restart got into safe mode and attempted a restart in it, but a critical message appeared of a more serious problem. The system was stuck in it’s own disastrous loop. This is bad when such a new PC fails only after a week. The only recourse under warranty is to send the rubbish back to where one got it from.
    Is this an internal hardware problem with the innards or is this due to corrupt programming….seems in my case a combination of both complexes making the user impossible to resolve.

  9. Carolyn said on September 13, 2019 at 11:46 pm
    Reply

    I’m in the same boat. My computer has been down for several months now. I have tried everything I can find when I googled this problem and nothing is working. I have tried several times to factory reset my ASUS laptop and it starts the process but never gets past 1% after several hours. So I am at a loss as to what to try now.

  10. Pat said on September 6, 2019 at 3:52 pm
    Reply

    I am in the same position as several others. Can’t get past the critical post died, now way to try your tips. I’m ready to toss the computer into the lake.

  11. Anonymous said on September 6, 2019 at 11:49 am
    Reply

    I resolved the problem by changing SATA HDD from AHCI to IDE.

    1. Anonymous said on November 9, 2020 at 2:32 pm
      Reply

      How did yoy change it

  12. Fred said on August 21, 2019 at 7:46 pm
    Reply

    I can’t enter safe boot so all is lost due to usless windows 10 options.
    0% of windows 10 recoveries have work where 300 applications aren’t needed to be re installed.
    on XP 100% of the time you could use the install systems files only option and it always fixed all boot/system problems.

    After XP recovery for windows it utterly usless

  13. Eghosa Eguagie said on March 31, 2019 at 10:37 pm
    Reply

    Ive tried all the processes but my pc is still showing critical process died when i try installing a software.

    1. Ethan said on November 10, 2021 at 1:48 pm
      Reply

      I’m not sure, it might be a motherboard issue or maybe some incompatibilities with your hardware. My dad had a similar issue except we would have to reinstall Windows (I think safe mode worked) to get back into Windows.

  14. Amide said on January 28, 2019 at 11:06 am
    Reply

    This information was really helpful. BSoD problem solved. First step did not, as i could not even log in. But a system OS reload did the magic. Ouch…..looking for few drivers.
    Thank you.

  15. Tom said on December 13, 2018 at 7:41 am
    Reply

    What is your opinion of using the DISM command to repair Windows 10 Pro 64 from a flash drive, created with the MS Media Creation Tool, to fix a critical process error? I’m in the process of educating myself about this command through trial and ERROR. It has been an adventure.

  16. D.R. Doc Young said on June 15, 2018 at 2:21 am
    Reply

    I having the re-looping booting issue of Critical Process Died, and after accessing Windows 10 Repair PC succeeds although the BSOD remains.

    Once in Advance Options, there are some items you listed are not an option that I can see or find, when I am at that point in trying to resolve. Even CMD (Administrator: X:) to run SFC /scannow the resulted with “Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.”

    I am not able to enter Safe Mode Lenovo IdeaPad 300 Laptop, item 4 & 6 so I must be doing something wrong or I would of by now after 3 days, selected Enable Safe Mode and possibly Startup settings. If I could access Windows Normally without the BSOD or in Safe Mode, then I could work with MSCONFIG.

    How to enter Safe Mode in Windows 10:

    1) Try booting several times until you see a list of three boot options.
    2) Click on Troubleshoot to see advanced options.
    3) Select Advanced options.
    4) Select Startup Settings.
    5) Click on the Restart button.
    6) Select Enable Safe Mode.

    So I am at a loss other than Resetting Windows and Automatic Repair does not work, nor Restoring to an Earlier State/Point prior to Windows 10 Critical Update of 11 Jun 2018, when I problem began.

    Doc, aka FireDocUSMC – even with 30 yrs experience using Windows 3.0 to Windows 10, I have questions and not always able to resolve, as quickly as I would like.

    Thank you for your Informative Process Clear to Understand, now Help Microsoft Fix their Error Messages with Steps to Take instead of leaving the USERS to Fend for themselves trying to track down the answer. I do have what I think might be a solution….but then what do I know, I am just the END USER

  17. David Hutchins said on May 14, 2018 at 1:34 am
    Reply

    Have done just about everything to try and resolve CRITICAL PROCESS DIED that only happens during a Windows 10 update to newest version 1803. Nothing has helped so far. Even resetting the computer didn’t help. The reset worked, but the next time I tried the update, it did the same thing again. It keeps rolling back to the prior Windows version.

  18. Anonymous said on February 24, 2018 at 5:50 pm
    Reply

    none of these worked

  19. Barbara Pierce said on January 27, 2018 at 11:42 pm
    Reply

    I’m keeping this article and as soon as I’m certain my connection is clean, I will be donating to keep this site up and free. However, in the meantime, my fix turned out to be to download A10 bios (from another machine) and then to update to A10 from my installed A8 (which supposedly was updated this morning). Whatever update as automatically done to my bios, my machine came crashing down. The A10 bios fixed it so far, but I expect to use this site later — something else always goes wrong. Thank you Melanie.

  20. Geoff said on October 26, 2017 at 11:36 am
    Reply

    I have exactly the same issue as Harish. Eagerly awaiting some advice.

    1. Afzal said on November 6, 2017 at 1:45 pm
      Reply

      Stuck on an endless loop of nothing working for me either and being unable to boot into Safe Mode. Did either of you guys get it to work?

      1. SaltySellout said on December 21, 2017 at 5:16 pm
        Reply

        With a critical process died error, from my experience, you generally can’t get into Windows AT ALL. Can’t boot into safe mode, yada yada. Windows 10 doesn’t create regular restore points, so there goes that So 95% of these troubleshooting steps are shiite. Just do a clean install of your OS. Save yourself lot of time. Trust me. If you don’t have a backup, must not have had anything of importance on your computer.

      2. graham said on November 27, 2017 at 5:08 pm
        Reply

        exact same issue.. any help?

  21. Harish said on October 15, 2017 at 8:27 am
    Reply

    I am stuck at the boot due to the stop code error: Critical process died. The only thing i can access are the system repair options such as system restore, cmd, system image recovery, sartup repair, etc. I have tried chkdsk & sfc commands, it didnt solve the problem. I tried resetting my PC but it says “There was a problem restting your PC”. And I tried system restore, in that it says “You should enable system protection on this drive” so it too didnt work. I tried going to previous build but that also didnt happen. Now what can i do please someone help me.

  22. Dave said on May 30, 2017 at 10:27 pm
    Reply

    Thanks for the great article, my Sisters PC has just hit this issue, unfortunately I ended up resetting the PC as nothing else would work.

    I would love to know what caused it in the first place though!

  23. mikef90000 said on May 11, 2017 at 2:59 am
    Reply

    Reminds me why I love Linux :-)

  24. publicarray said on May 11, 2017 at 12:56 am
    Reply

    What about the Windows 10 reset functionality? I would try that first before a clean reinstall https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

    1. ZippyDSMlee said on May 11, 2017 at 7:19 am
      Reply

      That should work since it replaces all the files but dose not always delete your files.

      I’m pretty much in the tried and true scet of if its windose nothing beats format and reinstall, but tis slowly warming me up to less time consuming options.

      Migrating from 7-8 to 10 is a breeze, half the time the best way to migrate your upgrade is format and install then shoe horn in your app data file if you have no migration programs handy.

  25. chesscanoe said on May 10, 2017 at 2:12 pm
    Reply

    A fantastic article you’ve published. Fortunately I don’t need it today, but I will “tomorrow”.

  26. T J said on May 10, 2017 at 1:53 pm
    Reply

    Hi Melanie.

    “There are over 500 known BSoD error codes”.

    Thank you for the link to John Carrona’s site. Trawling through MS archives to try and find out what caused a BSOD is a PAIN.
    I am going to enjoy browsing John’s site.

    I don’t know how you and Martin find these links but that is what makes a visit to ghacks so worth while :)

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