Fix The Dreadful Red Screen On Windows 10

Many Windows 10 users complain about the platform’s instability. Justified or not, it is true that there are different errors that affect Windows 10, including the so-called Red Screen. If you would like to know how to fix this dreadful error, you have come to the right place.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that most Windows users (not just Windows 10 users, in particular), have dealt at some point or another with the so-called blue screen of death.

We have indeed written about the blue screen of death errors and how to fix them here at Error Codes Pro, but we were yet to explain how to fix the red screen of death.

It is probably unfair to accuse Windows 10 of instability point blank but it is true that when you have to face errors such as the red or the blue screen of death it is very easy (and understandable”) to get a little frustrated.

In this article, I will explain everything there is to know about the red screen error including, of course, how to fix it. In fact, all the information in this article should help you fix this error.

If you have been a Windows user for a while and have used, at this point, different versions of Windows operation systems, you have probably become used to experiencing the blue screen of death. Unfortunately, the blue screen of death (BSOD) is a familiar sight for most Windows users. And, as such, it may be annoying to get it, but it is not alarming for the most part.

However, when most people get a red screen error they panic. For one thing, in Western culture, we tend to associate the color red with danger. So, if we coupled the symbolism of the color red and how unexpected this error is even to seasoned Windows users, the occurrence of this error is nothing short of alarming for most people.

The first thing I want to do is to reassure anyone currently dealing with this error. The red screen may seem quite alarming but everyone can fix the error that causes it.

So, let’s begin by explorer this error in more detail before going into the different possible solutions to it.

What Is The Dreadful Red Screen?

The dreadful red screen or the red screen of death (RSOD) is one of the errors that experts associate to the Windows 10 operating system.

Unlike the blue screen of death is a lot more common and, as I said earlier, more familiar to Windows users, the red screen does not happen as frequently. This means that it is less familiar (if familiar at all) for most users and, consequently, often has a more alarming effect of those who come across it.

Essentially, however, there is no reason to panic whether you get a blue or red screen of error. Both colors merely signify a system error.

You may be wondering now what I mean by “system error”. Well, all it is that your computer is unable to process whatever information it needs to process at the time when this error occurs. When this inability to process information happens in locations that are deemed critical, you will get the red screen instead of the more familiar, and by comparison almost soothing, blue screen.

The good news is that this error can be fixed and most users should be able to do so without having to ask an expert. Just some Internet research should be enough to find out how to fix it.

Having said all that, because the error can be caused by a variety of different reasons it can take a lot of Internet digging before you stumble up the fix that will do the trick for you.

And, this is where we come in. We have done all the research so you will not need to. What follows are four different methods of fixing the method. Which one will actually work for you will, of course, depend on the cause of the error.

“A lot of the really good features of Windows 10 – things like Windows 10 Hello, where you have facial log in and you don’t have to use all your passwords, the Start screen and your ability to go through that, the touch usages of gaming, as the new games come to this product – those are going to run with PCs that have the latest features”. – Brian Krzanich

Therefore, I will suggest that you read through all of them (even if you just skim over them). If you find one that you strongly believe that will work for you, then you might as well try that one first. If, however, you have no idea as to what the cause for the error is in your case, then I would strongly suggest that begin by the first method and work your way through the different methods as they are presented here. Obviously, stop as soon as you fix the problem!

So, without much further ado, here are the four different solutions.

Possible Fix Number 1 

A very common cause for the red screen error on Windows 10 has its root in the UEFI or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. If you are not familiar with this, the UEFI is basically the evolution of BIOS or the Basic Input Output System.

In other words, if you are not familiar with either of your terms, this is the set of different instructions in firmware controlling both input and output computer operation. So, this is something pretty essential that needs to go right every time.

So that everything works well with UEFI and BIOS, the firmware needs to perform regular updates. The problem arises when a driver is updated and above the capability of your BIOS or UEFI.

Another thing that can go wrong is when there is already a problem with your hardware that existed before any upgrades took place.

Either way, if the error is caused by one of these issues, what you would need to do is simply wipe your BIOS or UEFI and install a new copy of it. You need to be careful when attempting this method because there is a real risk that you could lose everything in your system.

So, only attempt this method if you feel confident enough or if wiping out the whole system won’t be a major issue for you.

Having said that, here are the steps you would need to follow if you decide to go ahead with this:

1. Grab your Windows 10.
2. Ensure that your computer has enough power to go through this process. This means that a laptop should be charged at least to 80% but, ideally, fully. And, if your Windows 10 is a desktop, just ensure that there are not any power interruptions while you are going through this process.
3. Then launch any Internet web browser of your choice and here over to the manufacturer’s site for your UEFI or BIOS. You might need to Google this, as they are different sites.
4. Once you have tracked down your manufacturer’s website, download the latest version of UEFI or BIOS. You will need to download the .exe file version of the update.
5. Once the update has been fully downloaded, you will need to save all the programs that are running and then run the upgrade that you have just downloaded.

This is really all you would need to do in order to update your BIOS or UEFI correctly. The main thing is that you ensure that you keep the power is on because it turning off could have fatal consequences for your system.

If you are not comfortable with this solution, you should ask an expert to carry it out for you.

Possible Fix Number 2

Another common cause for this error is when users place too many locks on different settings. Just ask yourself if you may have done this. If you remember adding locks, then this method will be worth pursuing.

The reason why too many locks may result in this error is that the surge of activity implied in this action may easily overheat your system. If the system becomes overheated, it will shut itself down for safety.

If you are not sure whether you have over locked your system, the best thing you can do is follow these steps to find out:

1. Grab your Windows 10 computer.
2. Press the following keys simultaneously: the Ctrl key + the Shift key + the Esc key. This action will launch the Task Manager.
3. In the Task Manager, go to Performance and see what your CPU speed is. This should not be much more than the speed range of your processor. If it is, you have found your problem.
4. The reset your UEFI or BIOS back to its default levels.

Alternatively, if you are sure that have over locked, you should remove as many locks as possible but first, you should shut down your computer. Wait until your computer has cooled down noticeably, and then restart your machine. Next, remove all the lock settings so you would prevent the error from happening again in the future.

Possible Fix Number 3

A simple but effective solution comes when you have installed new hardware or software recently before the error arose. If this is the case, you should go through your recently installed hardware and uninstall if.

In the case of hardware, you may need professional expert help but if the problem is caused by newly installed software you should be able to uninstall this easily yourself.

Possible Fix Number 4

This last fix relates to a pretty rare issue. If your system has a certain age it is possible that it has begun to malfunction. In the case of a new system, this is even rarer but it does happen sometimes.

If you want to check whether this is the case, just check the crash report by using the Event Viewer application on your Windows 10.

Go into the Custom View under the Event Viewer and go through every single crash that your system has experience. If you identify what driver is malfunctioning, you will need to download a new version for it from the manufacturer’s website.

The dreadful red screen on Windows 10 is a serious problem but one that always has a solution. If you would like to share your experience dealing with this error or any tips you may have, please leave us a comment below!