Windows 10 green screen of death

The green screen of death Windows 10 is a new type of error that often occurs when using a Windows Insider build or Windows Creators. If you are also struggling to fix the vexing issue, you come to the right place. This post of MiniTool will walk you through step-by-step guides to fix the error.

Have you come across the green screen of death error? Similar to the Blue screen of death, the Green screen of death (GSOD) error often appears after the welcome screen. After investigating extensive user reports and posts, we come to the conclusion that the Windows 10 green screen mainly appears during the process of installing a Windows Insider program or using Windows creators.

Here’s a true example from the Microsoft forum:

Hi There. I’ve joined the Windows Insider program and I using windows 10 Pro 64 bit with Version 1803, OS Build 17134.112 and I just install NOX application. When I start the NOX application, suddenly my computer gets stuck at the green screen of death and show the message Your Windows Insider Build ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. So, can you help me to solve this problem? https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-performance/green-screen-of-death-solved/4a82d33c-ecd4-43ca-8c42-b733615b3f88

About Green Screen of Death

Compared with the blue screen of death and the red screen of death, the Windows 10 green screen of death is unknown for most people. GSOD is a result of the critical failure of Windows 10 that only appears when running a Windows Insider Build program or creator.

What causes the green computer screen error? The major reason behind the error is the malfunction of your hardware drivers. In addition, the connected peripherals and conflicting third-party software are also responsible for the green screen error.

If it is the first time that you encounter the PC green death, you can try performing several restarts of your computer to fix the error. If the issue still persists after several simple restarts, move on to the following content.

Before Fixing Windows 10 Green Screen of Death

Prior to troubleshooting the computer green screen, it is highly recommended that you save your important data to another location. As you know, the green screen of death is a crashing error that might cause serious data loss and even a boot failure.

Here MiniTool Partition Wizard is an ideal utility to transfer your data to another place. With this powerful partition manager, you can back up your system and even the whole disk easily. Besides, it boasts lots of features like rebuild MBR, analyze hard drive, convert NTFS to FAT, perform disk benchmark, and so forth.

Click on the button below to download this software and install it on your computer. Then refer to this post to back up your system to an external hard drive.

Once you have backed up your system disk, you can continue the following troubleshooting methods without any concern.

How to Fix Green of Death on Windows 10

This part will walk you through several step-by-step guides to fix the green computer screen death error. Now, let’s start exploring them one by one.

Fix 1. Disconnect All Peripherals from Your PC

As pointed out above, the Windows 10 green screen of death can be triggered by any connected peripherals such as an external hard drive, USB flash drive, external power cable, external keyboard, power cables, etc.

So, the easiest way method is to completely turn off your computer and then disconnect all peripherals one by one. If the computer green screen issue still persists, then it indicates that the issue can be caused by other factors.

Fix 2. Update Your Device Driver in Safe Mode

If your graphics card driver gets corrupted or outdated, you may encounter the green screen of death error. To get rid of the error, you can try updating the device driver on Windows 10. Here we recommend you enter Safe Mode first, which can help fix many Windows 10 crashing issues like blue screen, black screen, and PC green screen.

Now, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Restart your computer several times until you arrive at the Automatic Repair screen.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, click on Troubleshoot and navigate to the Advanced options menu.

Step 3. Click on Startup Settings in the Advanced options menu. After that, you can select the Enable Safe Mode option by pressing the 4 or F4 key.

Step 4. Press the Win + R key to open the Run dialog box, and then type devmgmt.msc in the box and hit Enter.

Step 5. Expand the Display adapters category, and then right-click the graphics card driver and select Update Driver.

Step 6. Then you can select Search automatically for updated driver software option to update the driver automatically. After that, Windows will automatically detect any available updated device drivers and install them.

Once the update process completes, restart your computer and check if the green screen Windows 10 error is resolved or not.

Fix 3. Disable the Third-Party Antivirus Programs

If you have installed third-party antivirus software or antivirus removal tool like MRT.exe, we recommend you remove it from your computer and use Windows built-in antivirus program instead. This is because some users reported that the third-party software can throw the green screen of death error.

Here’s how to remove a third-party antivirus program from your Windows 10 PC.

Step 1. Type control in the search box and select the Control Panel app from the context menu.

Step 2. Change the View by type to Category, and then click on Uninstall a program under the Programs section.

Step 3. Navigate to the antivirus software like Avast from the list of install programs, and then right-click it and select Uninstall. Click on Yes to confirm this uninstallation and follow the on-screen prompts to complete this operation.

Step 4. Press the Win + E keys to open the File Explorer, and then navigate to the C:ProgramData folder in C drive. Then select all Avast related folders and press Delete key to uninstall the third-party software permanently.

Now, you can reboot your computer and see if the Windows 10 green screen still persists.

Fix 4. Perform a Clean Installation of Your Windows 10

If none of the above methods troubleshoot the problem, you may have to consider performing a clean installation of your Windows 10 PC. A clean installation will wipe out all the corrupt or decaying factor on your system that might cause a green screen Windows 10.

There are several ways to perform a clean installation, but the most direct and simplest way is to Reset This PC. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1. Press Win + I keys to open the Settings app and navigate to the Update & Security tab.

Step 2. Go to the Recovery tab on the left pane, and then click on Get started under the Reset this PC section at the right side of the window.

Step 3. Then you will see 2 options. Select the second option Remove everything, which will wipe out all of your personal files, apps, and settings.

Step 4. After a while, you will be prompted with the Ready to reset this PC message and click on the Reset button.

Once the process completes, your Windows 10 laptop will be reset to the factory settings and the green screen of death should disappear.

Recover Lost Data from Windows 10

The green screen of death may result in the loss of your important data. Don’t worry. How to restore lost data? Now, you can recover lost data and partitions easily with the help of MiniTool Partition Wizard. Here’s a step-by-step guide for you.

Step 1. Launch this program to enter its main interface, and then select the system disk that you lost partitions and click on Partition Recovery from the top toolbar.

Step 2. Now, select the Full Disk option as the scanning range and click on Next to go on. You also can select the Unallocated Space, or Specified Range based on your needs.

Step 3. Select a scanning method to scan the disk and click Next. Here I take the Quick Scan for example.

Step 4. Make sure that you tick checkboxes for all partitions including existing partitions and the deleted/lost partitions, and click on the Finish button.

After that, the lost partitions should be recovered and the partition table will be rebuilt.

Are you bothered by the Windows 10 green screen of death? This post explores several accessible troubleshooting methods. Moreover, the post provides a step-by-step guide to recover lost data due to the error. Perhaps you are looking for such an article. Click to Tweet

Have a Try Now

How to get rid of the Windows 10 green screen of death? This post shares you with the top 5 solutions. You can try them one by one until the issue is fixed. If you have any ideas on the PC green screen issue, please share them in the comment area below. Also, you can send your doubts and questions about MiniTool software in an email via [email protected].

Green Screen of Death FAQ

We have all heard of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), but have you heard of its twin brother from the Windows Insider Program: the Green Screen of Death?

There is such a thing as a Green Screen of Death (GSOD for short), and in a way, it is the same error as BSOD. In this article, you will learn what causes the GSOD and how to fix it, or at least mitigate it, so your work is not interrupted.

What Is the Green Screen of Death

The Green Screen of Death is an error that occurs due to a critical failure of the Windows operating system. But it only happens inside the Windows Insider build or Creator editions.

Microsoft designed the Windows Insider Program for programmers and tech-savvy people who want to test future builds of Windows. The Green Screen of Death separates the errors in the Insider Program from standard Windows errors, which the Blue Screen of Death signals.

The main issue that causes GSOD errors is hardware malfunctions. But it could also be caused by connected peripherals or third-party programs, corrupted system files, outdated drivers, and excessive memory usage.

The good news is that all these problems can easily be solved. Many workarounds will allow you to deal with the GSOD and keep your workflow intact. Before we jump into all the troubleshooting and possible fixes, you should try resetting your computer to see if that helps. If it doesn’t, continue reading.

What You Should Do Before Fixing the GSOD

The Green Screen of Death is an error that can easily result in losing important data. Although there are ways to recover lost data with a significant percentage of accuracy, there is no need to allow this to happen.

Before troubleshooting the GSOD, the smartest thing you could do is save all your essential data on another device. You can also use a partition manager to divide your disk space and keep the critical data in a safe part of your hard disk. This will allow you to back up your system and even the whole disk if necessary.

How to Fix Green Screen of Death on Windows 10 and 11

You must do a hard reset when you find yourself stuck with the Green Screen of Death. Press and hold the computer’s power button for a few seconds to force it to shut down. The computer should boot now, but if it doesn’t, try booting Windows in Safe Mode. Here’s a detailed guide on how to start Windows in Safe Mode.

After you successfully boot Windows, update the operating system to make sure you get rid of all the possible bugs that might have caused GSOD.

To update the Operating System, go to Settings and then Update & Security. On the left panel, you should find Windows Updates, and then click Check for Updates. If there are available updates, download and install them.

If the problem persists, try some of the following fixes.

1. Update Graphic Drivers

Outdated graphic drivers are one of the common reasons that can cause GSOD. This error often happens in Insider Preview during gaming sessions. Because of this, it is logical to suspect an issue with the graphic card drivers.

1. Boot your PC in Safe Mode.
2. Find the Device Manager by using the search bar and launch it.

1. Choose the devices listed, right-click them, and then select Update Driver.

Once you update the drivers, reboot your PC in normal mode, and see if the GSOD reappears.

2. Remove All Peripheral Devices

Sometimes, the Green Screen of Death happens because of a hardware malfunction. But before you check your PC’s hardware, see if the issue lies with one of the peripheral devices you might have connected to it.

1. Plug out all peripheral devices such as the keyboard, mouse, speakers, and other devices.
2. Restart your PC and see if the GSOD appears.

If everything seems ok, one or more of your peripheral devices is malfunctioning. You will need to identify which one it is. Connect them all, one by one, and see which one will cause a GSOD error. The defective device should be repaired or replaced with a new one.

3. Remove All Third-party Programs and Apps Installed from Unreliable Sources

Third-party software can sometimes cause a Green Screen of Death because of incompatibilities with the Insider build. It is advisable to remove them and see if the error persists. To remove any programs:

1. Go to Control Panel. You can use the search box to find it.
2. Under the Programs section, click on Uninstall a program.
   

1. Find the third-party program you wish to remove. Right-click on it and choose Uninstall. Confirm by clicking Yes.

Uninstalling the third-party program might not be enough. You will also have to remove all the files related to it. To do this, press Win + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer. Go to the C:\ProgramData folder, select all folders and files related to the uninstalled program, and hit the Delete key on the keyboard. Restart your PC and see if this fixed the GSOD.

4. Disable the Hardware Acceleration Feature in Your Browser

Hardware Acceleration optimizes the sound and video output of your PC. It is primarily used by people who often use video and audio streaming platforms. The sound cards and the GPU installed on your computer use this feature to give you the best possible experience while gaming, watching movies, or listening to music.

But Hardware Acceleration demands a strong GPU to provide a smooth experience. If there is insufficient power, your browser will slow down even to the point of causing the Green Screen of Death. If you suspect this is your main issue, you must disable the Hardware Acceleration feature.

If you are using the Chrome Browser:

1. Go to Settings, and navigate down to System.
2. Here you will find Use Hardware Acceleration when Available. Deselect it.

For Firefox users:

1. Go to the menu in the top right corner of your browser and select Settings.
2. Under the General tab, scroll down until you find Performance.
   
3. Uncheck the box next to the Use Recommended Settings.
   
4. Uncheck the box next to the Use Hardware Acceleration when Available.

Restart your PC and see if this fixed GSOD.

5. Reinstall Windows 10 or Windows 11

If nothing else helps and your GSOD error keeps reappearing, you won’t have another choice but to perform a clean install of your Windows OS. This may result in loss of data. In fact, GSOD may have already caused a data loss; to recover it, you might need to use one of the data recovery tools available online.

Before reinstalling your OS, ensure you backed up any important files you might need, including account information, settings, and personal files.

There are several different ways to reinstall Windows. Here is the simplest and most direct way to do it:

1. Go to Settings. Find it with the Search Bar or press Win + I on your keyboard. Go to the Update & Security tab.
2. Find the Recovery tab on the left panel, go to Reset this PC, and click Get Started.

1. You will be given two options. It is crucial to select the second one, Remove Everything. As the name suggests, all files will be lost, ensuring all errors, bugs, and corruptions are gone.
2. After some time, your PC will display a message Ready to reset this PC. Select the Reset button.

Note you have to be patient. Please make sure not to interrupt the process.

Whatever you do, do not ignore the Green Screen of Death! It can cause serious damage to your system and lead to the loss of data. If you aren’t sure what’s causing it, follow each troubleshooting step and apply the fixes one by one.

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On Windows 10/11, you come across a green window with a sad emoticon accompanied with a message “Your Windows Insider Build ran into a problem and need to restart. We are just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. xyz% is complete.”

This is called Green screen of death and latter is yet another error similar to blue screen of death where-in occurs critical failure of Insider build or Creator editions of Windows Operating system. This makes your computer inaccessible. In this blog we are going to learn how to fix this issue.

Windows Insider Program: An overview

As stated above, GSOD occurs due to failure of Insider build of MS OS. To understand Insider build you should have an idea of Windows Insider Program. Microsoft launched a program named Windows Insider Program on 30-09-2014. It was purposed to connect intellects outside the Microsoft with it with an aim to study and make better its Operating system viz. Windows 10.

Under this program Microsoft allowed millions of its fans to join and preview builds of its Operating system Windows 10 and give their feedback and engage with their software engineers. It was to be done through a valid license. Later on this was extended to Windows 11 and Windows Server as well and the strength of its members rose to 10 million.

This program was envisaged to explore, identify and improve builds of its software release. As stated above Windows Insider Versions came in Windows 10 when it was launched and then in Windows 11 in its initial years of release. In these versions members can run Windows Insider Preview Builds on their computers. They can preview Windows through Channels built by Windows and Insider Preview Builds are released to the members through these channels viz. Dev Channel, Beta Channel and Release Preview Channel.

Probable reasons for GSOD

1. Peripheral devices connected to your PC.
2. Malfunctioning of hardware.
3. Corruption of system files.
4. Incompatible/outdated drivers.
5. Excessive usage of memory space.
6. Third party programs.

Effects of GSOD

1. Turns screen of your computer green with display of an error message.
2. You cannot access your system.
3. System repeatedly restarts.
4. Loss of unsaved data may occur without prior warning or information.

METHODS TO FIX GSOD

Method 1 – Removal of peripheral devices of your computer

In order to fix this issue first check whether there is any peripheral device attached to your computer as this issue can be due to any problematic peripheral device may it be mouse, keyboard, USB flash drive, Hard disk drive, a projector, USB, bar code reader, microphone etc. So if your computer has any of the peripheral devices then remove it or and if there are multiple devices then you may remove one by one as this may tell you which device is creating this problem to check if it is due to peripheral device. Once you have removed all peripheral devices, restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed.

Method 2 – Updating operating system and drivers of your computer

It is always recommended that you should regularly update operating system and drivers on your computer as need of update may lead to many errors due to no support or incompatibility.

Updating Windows Operating System

Follow the steps given below to update Windows OS

1. Go to start
2. Type settings in search box and click Open
3. Select Update and Security
4. Select Windows Update
5. Click Check for updates
6. Download and install updates if available

Updating Driver

First start your PC in safe mode in Windows.

[Note: Running of Windows in safe mode means use of limited set of files and drivers. And when you run Windows in safe mode and no error occurs, it indicates that the error is not happening due to default setting and basic device drivers.]

1. 1. Go to Start and type Device manager and open.
   2. Right-click the driver you wish to update.
   3. Select Update Driver
   4. Follow instructions to complete the process.

Once all the drivers are updated, boot your computer in normal mode and check if the issue still exists.

Method 3 – Running CHKDSK command

This is built-in utility of Windows which helps you to scan file systems drives for bad sector(s) and errors and then repairs them automatically. To run this command, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to start and type cmd in search box.
2. Select Run as administrator under Command Prompt
3. Type chkdsk C:/f/r/x
4. Press Enter
5. Wait till the process is over.
6. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 4 – Running SFC & DISM command

This built-in utility of Windows scans system files for corruption or damage and once it finds, it repairs the same of its own. Follow the steps given under to run this command:

1. 1. Follow steps 1-2 of method 3.
   2. Type sfc /scannow and press enter.
   3. Once the process is over restart your computer.
   4. If the issue is still not resolved then run the following DISM commands:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once the process is over, see if issue is resolved.

Method 5 – Uninstalling third party anti-virus tools

Antivirus tools may also cause GSOD as they may cause burden on processor of computer. Follow the steps given below to uninstall third party anti-virus tool:

1. 1. Go to Start
   2. Type settings and open
   3. Select Apps and then Apps and features
   4. Click the third party antivirus tool from the list of apps
   5. Select uninstall
   6. Similarly uninstall apps and components related to the uninstalled anti-virus tool.

Note: Since all anti-virus software tools install their supporting apps, you need to uninstall them too. They can be identified by the name of the concerned anti-virus tool.

Method 6 – Repairing Windows Operating System

Repairing of Windows OS may help you as it is purposed to fix errors, malfunctioning etc. in the OS. In case Windows is having severe problem or is corrupt then you need to reinstall Windows. Latter may cause loss of data wherein you will need to recover data using any Windows Data Recovery tool. To repair Windows follow the steps given under:

1. Go to Start and type settings and open
2. Select Update and Security
3. Select Recovery
4. Select Get started
5. Press Reset this PC
6. Restart your computer

Conclusion

In this blog we discussed GSOD, reasons of its occurring, various methods to fix it besides understanding Windows Insider Program. We have always endeavored to help you not only with fixing various errors thrown by your PC and system but also to recover your lost data in almost every kind of scenario. We hope you find this writing helpful.