1. Undo Overclocking and Reset BIOS
- Enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del or F2 at startup).
- Reset all overclocked settings to default or optimized defaults.
- Save and exit BIOS to ensure stable CPU operation.
2. Update or Roll Back Drivers
- Press Win + X → Device Manager.
- Focus on system-critical drivers like CPU, Graphics, and Virtualization Tools.
- Right-click → Update Driver or Roll Back Driver if issues began after an update.
3. Run System File Checker and DISM
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
- Then run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
These tools repair corrupted system files and components.
4. Scan for Malware or Unauthorized Modifications
- Use Windows Security or trusted antivirus software to perform a Full System Scan.
- Look specifically for rootkits or memory-resident malware capable of modifying low-level instruction flow.
5. Use CPU Diagnostic Tools
- Download Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool or AMD Ryzen Master depending on your CPU brand.
- Run full diagnostics to verify processor health and detect instability or hardware faults.
6. Perform Clean Boot
- Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- In the Services tab → Check Hide all Microsoft services → Click Disable all.
- Then go to Startup tab → Open Task Manager → Disable all startup items.
- Restart and check if BSOD persists.
7. Remove or Reconfigure Virtualization Tools
If using tools like Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or VMWare:
- Uninstall or reconfigure settings to avoid unsupported CPU instruction use.
- Disable nested virtualization or advanced CPU extensions if not required.
8. Restore System to Earlier Point
If the BSOD began recently:
- Go to Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore.
- Select a restore point created before the issue.
- Follow on-screen instructions to complete restoration.