1. Enable Driver Verifier to Identify Faulty Drivers
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Run:
Verifier
- Choose "Create standard settings" → Automatically select unsigned drivers
- Reboot and allow the system to trigger the BSOD
- Analyse the resulting dump with BlueScreenView or WinDbg to identify the problematic driver
- After testing, disable Verifier:
verifier /reset
2. Update or Roll Back Security and Kernel-Mode Drivers
- Open Device Manager
- Expand categories like System Devices, Security Devices, or Network Adapters
- Right-click → Update Driver
- If the problem began after a driver update, select Roll Back Driver
- Also, update endpoint protection or EDR software that interacts with user sessions
3. Uninstall Conflicting Security Software
- Go to Control Panel → Programs and Features
- Uninstall recently added antivirus, endpoint agents, or monitoring tools
- Restart the system and observe for recurrence
- Consider replacing with more compatible alternatives if needed
4. Perform a Clean Boot
- Type msconfig in the Run dialog (Win + R)
- Go to Services tab → Check "Hide all Microsoft services" → Click Disable all
- In the Startup tab, open Task Manager → Disable all startup items
- Restart to check if the issue is linked to third-party background software
5. Run System File Checker and DISM
- Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:
sfc /scannow
- Then:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- These commands repair system files related to the logon session and identity management
6. Use System Restore
- Open Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore
- Select a restore point created before the BSOD first occurred
- Follow the prompts to restore system stability
7. Check Domain or RDP Session Settings (if applicable)
If in a domain or remote desktop environment:
- Ensure that Group Policy settings related to user sessions, identity impersonation, and RDP access are properly configured
- Update domain credentials and avoid scripts that impersonate invalid sessions during logon/logoff
Final Thoughts
The 0x00000046 DEREF_UNKNOWN_LOGON_SESSION BSOD is often caused by improper handling of logon sessions in kernel mode—usually by buggy drivers or low-level security software.
To fix it:
- Use Driver Verifier to find faulty drivers,
- Update or remove any tools that manage logon tokens,
- And ensure domain or local session policies are configured correctly.
If issues persist:
- Run SFC and DISM to restore critical OS components,
- Perform a clean boot to eliminate third-party conflicts.
- Or use System Restore to roll back session-handling errors.
- Addressing this error ensures proper session tracking and stable identity management during authentication processes.