1. Roll Back or Update Device Drivers
INDEX_MISMATCH is often linked to faulty drivers. Update or roll back recent driver changes:
- Press Win + X and select Device Manager
- Update input/display drivers (e.g., keyboard, mouse, graphics)
- If the error started after a recent update, choose Roll Back Driver
2. Run SFC and DISM to Repair System Files
Corrupted system files can be fixed using these built-in utilities:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Run the following:
- sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Uninstall Recently Installed Software
Undo any recent changes to identify if third-party apps are causing kernel-level interference:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features
- Sort by install date and remove recently added apps
4. Perform Memory Diagnostics
Faulty RAM may lead to kernel indexing issues. Test memory using:
- Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, press Enter
- Choose Restart now and check for problems
5. Use System Restore
If the issue started recently, revert your system to a stable restore point:
- Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore
- Follow the prompts to restore system stability