The Page Fault in Non-Paged Area Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a vexing error that disrupts the user experience on Windows 10 and 11. This issue arises when the operating system attempts to access non-paged memory—memory that should remain in RAM and not be swapped to disk—but encounters an obstacle. The origins of this error can range from defective hardware to problematic drivers or even corrupted system files. Fortunately, there are various strategies to remedy this error and restore your system’s functionality.
Common Causes of the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area BSOD
Understanding the potential culprits behind this BSOD can significantly aid in troubleshooting:
- Corrupt or faulty drivers.
- Corrupted system files.
- Faulty RAM (memory).
- Issues with the paging file (virtual memory).
- Antivirus software conflicts.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore a series of methods to tackle the issue effectively.
Method 1: Restart in Safe Mode
When normal booting is not an option, initiating your system in Safe Mode can be a wise first step. This mode loads only essential drivers and services, facilitating easier troubleshooting.
Step 1: Enter Safe Mode
- Restart your computer and interrupt the boot process three times (press the power button as soon as the Windows logo appears) to trigger the Automatic Repair screen.
- Select Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
- Click Restart, then press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, you can begin to troubleshoot the underlying issues.
Method 2: Check for Faulty Drivers
Outdated or corrupt drivers frequently lead to the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area error. Ensuring that all drivers are current or uninstalling recently added drivers may alleviate the problem.
Step 1: Update or Rollback Drivers
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Identify any devices marked with a yellow triangle or red exclamation mark—these indicate driver issues.
- Right-click the problematic device and select Update driver.
- If the issue arose after a recent driver update, right-click the device, select Properties, navigate to the Driver tab, and choose Rollback Driver.
Step 2: Uninstall Problematic Drivers
If updating or rolling back the driver does not yield results:
- In Device Manager, right-click the problematic driver and select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC to determine if the BSOD error persists.
Method 3: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
Defective RAM can be a root cause of the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area error. Utilizing the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool can help identify and rectify memory-related problems.
Step 1: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
- Select Restart now and check for problems.
- Your PC will restart, and the diagnostic tool will check for memory issues.
- After the scan completes, results will be displayed upon logging in. If issues are found, RAM replacement may be necessary.
Method 4: Check for Corrupted System Files
Corrupted system files can lead to various errors, including the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area BSOD. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM tools can repair any corrupted files.
Step 1: Run System File Checker (SFC)
- Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow- Wait for the scan to complete. If SFC identifies corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them automatically.
Step 2: Run DISM Tool
If SFC does not resolve the issue, the DISM tool can be employed:
- In the same Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth- After completion, restart your PC to check if the BSOD error is resolved.
Method 5: Disable Automatic Paging File Management
Sometimes, the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area error can stem from issues with virtual memory. Adjusting the paging file settings may provide a solution.
Step 1: Adjust Paging File Settings
- Press Windows + S, type performance, and select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.
- In the Performance Options window, navigate to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Select your system drive (usually C:), choose Custom size, and set both Initial size and Maximum size to the recommended values.
- Click Set, then OK, and restart your computer.
Method 6: Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Software
In some cases, third-party antivirus software may conflict with system processes, leading to the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area error. Temporarily removing this software can help identify if it is the source of the problem.
Step 1: Uninstall Antivirus Software
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Apps > Apps & features.
- Locate your antivirus software, click on it, and select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC and check if the error persists.
If the error is resolved post-uninstallation, consider switching to a different antivirus solution or utilizing Windows Defender, which is integrated into Windows and typically avoids such conflicts.
Method 7: Perform a System Restore
Should the Page Fault in Non-Paged Area error have emerged following a recent change, such as new software or driver installations, employing System Restore can revert your PC to a previous state where it functioned correctly.
Step 1: Access System Restore
- Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.
- In the System Restore window, select a restore point from a date prior to the error’s onset.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system.
Method 8: Reset Your PC
If all else fails, resetting your PC may be necessary. This process reinstalls Windows, allowing you to choose whether to keep personal files or remove everything entirely.
Step 1: Reset Your PC
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Select either Keep my files (to retain personal data) or Remove everything (for a complete reset), and follow the instructions to reset your PC.
