Error codes

0x000000EF

CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

What it means

A process Windows cannot run without stopped unexpectedly, so Windows halted to protect itself.

Common causes

• Damaged system files
• A failing or full system drive
• A broken driver or update

How to fix it

1. Think about what changed just before it started (new driver, app, update or hardware) and undo that first. System Restore can roll back drivers without touching your files.
2. Open Terminal (Admin) and run sfc /scannow, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Restart afterwards.
3. Check the drive: run chkdsk C: /scan and look at its health in CrystalDiskInfo.
4. Update the graphics, chipset and network drivers from the maker's site (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel or your board vendor), not from a driver-updater tool.