Fixing the System Thread Exception Not Handled Error on Windows 10

Fixing the System Thread Exception Not Handled Error on Windows 10

The “SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED” error is a common Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that affects many Windows 10 users. It often appears during system startup, causing your computer to crash or get stuck in a restart loop. This frustrating issue typically points to driver conflicts, corrupted system files, or incompatible hardware components.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to fix this error and restore your system’s stability. This guide will walk you through the causes of the issue and step-by-step methods to resolve it.

What Causes the “SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED” Error?

Understanding the root of the issue is key to fixing it. Here are the most common causes:

• Outdated or incompatible drivers (especially for graphics, network, or sound)

• Corrupted system files

• Newly installed software or hardware

• BIOS or firmware issues

• Faulty RAM or hardware problems

Sometimes the error message also includes a driver name like nvlddmkm.sys, atikmdag.sys, or igdkmd64.sys, which can help pinpoint the culprit.

Step 1: Boot Into Safe Mode

If your system crashes before reaching the desktop, you need to boot into Safe Mode to troubleshoot. Safe Mode runs only essential drivers and services.

How to Boot into Safe Mode:

1. Turn off your PC.

2. Turn it on and force shutdown as soon as you see the Windows logo. Do this 3 times to trigger the Windows Recovery Environment.

3. On the Choose an option screen, go to:

   • Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

4. Press F4 or 4 to boot into Safe Mode.

Once in Safe Mode, you can begin diagnosing the issue.

Step 2: Identify the Faulty Driver

Check the error message for a driver file name. If it’s shown (e.g., nvlddmkm.sys), it tells you which driver caused the problem. If not, you can use the Event Viewer or a tool like BlueScreenView to analyze the crash dump.

Use Event Viewer:

1. Press Windows + X and select Event Viewer.

2. Go to Windows Logs > System.

3. Look for entries marked with Error or Critical around the time of the crash.

4. Find the name of the driver or module involved.

Step 3: Update or Roll Back Drivers

Most BSODs of this type are due to driver issues, especially GPU or chipset drivers.

To Update a Driver:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the device category (e.g., Display adapters).

3. Right-click the suspected driver and choose Update driver.

4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

If you recently updated a driver and then saw the error, roll it back:

To Roll Back a Driver:

1. Open Device Manager.

2. Right-click the device and select Properties.

3. Go to the Driver tab.

4. Click Roll Back Driver (if available).

Reinstalling the Driver:

1. In Device Manager, right-click the driver and choose Uninstall device.

2. Restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

3. Alternatively, visit the manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download the latest version.

Step 4: Run SFC and DISM Commands

Corrupted system files can also trigger this BSOD. Use built-in Windows tools to scan and repair files.

Run System File Checker (SFC):

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type:

   bash

   Sao chépChỉnh sửa

   sfc /scannow


3. Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.

Run DISM (if SFC fails or doesn’t fix the issue):

1. In the same Command Prompt window, type:

   swift

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth


2. Press Enter and wait until the process completes.

Reboot your computer after the scans.

Step 5: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes load incompatible drivers quickly, triggering the BSOD.

To Disable Fast Startup:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Go to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.

3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.

4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).

5. Click Save changes and restart your PC.

Step 6: Check for Windows Updates

Outdated system components or security patches might also lead to compatibility issues.

To Check for Updates:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security.

2. Click Check for updates.

3. Install any available updates.

4. Restart your PC.

Step 7: Reset BIOS or Update Firmware

Sometimes your BIOS settings can be the cause. You can either reset BIOS settings to default or update your BIOS/UEFI firmware.

Reset BIOS Settings:

1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS (usually by pressing DEL or F2 during startup).

2. Look for an option like Load Setup Defaults or Reset to Default.

3. Save changes and exit.

Update BIOS:

Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and follow their instructions to update the BIOS carefully. Warning: Do not interrupt the BIOS update process as it can damage your system.

Step 8: Run a Memory Diagnostic

Faulty RAM can also cause the “SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED” error.

To Test Memory:

1. Press Windows + R, type:

   mdsched.exe


2. Press Enter and choose Restart now and check for problems.

3. Your PC will reboot and perform a memory test.

If errors are found, consider replacing your RAM.

Step 9: Perform a System Restore

If you recently installed software, drivers, or updates that caused the issue, you can roll back your system using System Restore.

To Use System Restore:

1. Boot into Safe Mode or Recovery Environment.

2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.

3. Choose a restore point created before the error started.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Step 10: Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If none of the above methods work, resetting Windows 10 may be your best option.

To Reset Your PC:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

2. Click Get started under Reset this PC.

3. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.

4. Follow the prompts to reinstall Windows.

Final Thoughts

The “SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED” error on Windows 10 can be alarming, but it’s often fixable with the right steps. The most common cause is a faulty driver—especially for graphics or network components. Begin by booting into Safe Mode, updating or rolling back drivers, and using built-in tools like SFC or DISM to repair system files.

If the issue persists, investigate hardware problems or consider resetting Windows as a last resort. With patience and methodical troubleshooting, you can restore your system and prevent future BSODs.