1. Update or Roll Back Device Drivers
- Press Win + X → Open Device Manager.
- Pay close attention to drivers for network adapters, storage controllers, and system devices.
- Right-click → Update Driver or Roll Back Driver if recent changes were made.
2. Run System File Checker and DISM
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
- sfc /scannow
- Once complete, run:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- These commands repair corrupted OS files affecting interrupt table access or kernel execution.
3. Disable Virtual Hardware or VM Features
- If using virtual machines, disable unnecessary virtual hardware components like virtual floppy drives or serial ports.
- Review your VM hypervisor settings (VMware, VirtualBox, etc.) for compatibility and system interrupt handling features.
4. Perform Clean Boot
- Press Win + R → Type msconfig → Enter.
- Under Services tab → Check Hide all Microsoft services → Click Disable all.
- Go to Startup → Open Task Manager → Disable all startup programs.
- Restart the system to isolate third-party software or services causing conflicts.
5. Reset BIOS to Default
- Enter BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del or F2 during boot).
- Choose Load Optimized Defaults or Reset to Default Settings.
- Save and exit. This helps restore safe APIC, interrupt, and chipset configurations.
6. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
- Press Win + R → Type mdsched.exe and hit Enter.
- Select Restart now and check for problems.
- Let the test run and resolve any detected memory integrity issues.
7. Update BIOS and Chipset Drivers
- Visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer's website.
- Download and install the latest BIOS firmware and chipset drivers.
- This ensures compatibility with APIC configuration and hardware interrupt handling.
8. Perform System Restore
If the BSOD occurred after recent changes:
- Go to Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore.
- Choose a restore point before the error started.
- Follow instructions to complete the process.
Final Thoughts
The 0x0000003D INTERRUPT_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED error reflects a breakdown in the system’s ability to handle hardware or software interrupts, often triggered by bad drivers, BIOS misconfiguration, or interrupt table corruption.
To fix it:
- Update or roll back interrupt-related drivers,
- Reset BIOS and clean out conflicting virtual hardware,
- And scan the system for OS-level corruption using built-in tools.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider:
Running a complete hardware scan and BIOS upgrade,
Or performing a clean install of Windows to resolve low-level interrupt handling faults.