Windows 10 blue screen usually occurs due to a hardware or driver problem. The Driver overran stack buffer Error indicates a problem related to a device driver overwriting a specific region of the computer’s memory called the stack buffer. This blue screen can arise any time while doing regular tasks, playing games or streaming online video. Problematic applications or outdated drivers, corrupted system files, problems with disk drives or faulty hardware devices, and memory modules are common reasons behind this blue screen error. If your Windows computer suddenly displays DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER, 0x000000f7 Blue Screen Error here are the solution that worked for many users to troubleshoot the error completely.
Why Getting Driver overran stack buffer Error?
There are several factors that can contribute to the occurrence of the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” error on Windows 10. Outdated, incompatible, or corrupt device drivers are the primary culprits behind this error. Again corrupted system files, problematic applications, problems with disk drives, security software and something else also cause such blue screen errors on Windows 10.
In some cases, faulty hardware components, such as defective RAM modules, can trigger stack buffer overruns and result DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER on Windows 10.
How To Fix Driver overran stack buffer Error
Usually, this Driver overran stack buffer error is caused by a peripheral that isn’t compatible with a current version of Windows 10. You can quickly avoid any issues disconnecting all external peripherals, like printers, webcams, and especially storage media (e.g., USB flash drive and external hard drive) connected to your computer.
Now Check Windows Started Normally, If yes then find out the problematic device (if no skip this step) by attaching one by one and notice after which the device attach causes Blue screen error. When you found to check the device on with a different computer.
Start Windows 10 in safe mode
Safe Mode allows Windows 10 computer boot with only essential drivers and services, minimizing potential conflicts that could trigger the error. If due to this Blue Screen error windows 10 crashes frequently or won’t start normally, start your computer in Safe Mode and apply the troubleshooting recommended below.
Here’s how you can start your computer in Safe Mode:
- Hold the shift key on the keyboard, then click start menu -> power and select the Restart option.
- Next, select the troubleshoot option then click on the advanced option
- From the Advanced options, click on Startup Settings, then Press the Restart button.
- And finally press F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or press F5 to enable internet access on safe mode.
Update Device drivers in Windows 10
If you are getting this blue screen error after Windows 10 update, there may be certain drivers are outdated or corrupted, which can cause the driver_overran_stack_buffer. Update device drivers is the first step to fix the blue screen error on Windows 10. This also ensures that they are compatible with your operating system and any recent system updates.
Updating device drivers is crucial for maintaining system stability and compatibility.
To check if the error is caused by a faulty drive, run an automatic driver update or manually update the drivers to the latest available versions. Install the latest drivers for any newly installed hardware device. If no new hardware has been installed, make sure you have the latest drivers for the below devices.
- Video card
- Network card or router (if present)
- Any removable or external disk drive
To manually update a driver on a Windows 10 PC:
- Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc and hit the enter key.
- This will open Device Manager here you see all installed driver lists.
- You just have to find the device which is yellow marked.
- Right-click on the device and select update driver software and follow the instruction to get driver updates.
- If you didn’t find any update for the driver you can uninstall it from here.
- Download the best driver for the specific device from the manufacturer’s website and install it.
- Repeat these steps for all drivers that you want to update.
Rollback drivers that recently updated
If you recently updated a driver and started experiencing the error, try rolling back to the previous version. Sometimes, new driver updates can introduce compatibility issues. Rolling back the driver means reverting to a previous version that was installed on your system before the update.
- Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager
- Expand the category associated with the problematic driver. Right-click on the specific driver causing the issue and select “Properties” from the context menu.
- Move to the driver tab, and click on the “Roll Back Driver” button (If available)
- Click yes when it prompts for confirmation and the rollback process will begin.
Check for Windows updates
Microsoft drops regular updates with new features, bug fixes, and security improvements to patch security holes created by third-party applications. Many of these updates address hardware and software issues. Also, they fix certain security flaws, therefore if you want your PC to be safe and free from errors it’s highly recommended that you use Windows Update and download the latest updates.
Updating Windows to the latest version is always recommended as this makes the PC more stable
- Press Windows key + I to open the Windows settings app,
- Go to update and security then Windows update, and hit the check for updates button,
- If new updates are pending there we recommend allow them to download and install on your computer.
This will check for available updates and install them. Now Restart windows to apply the changes and Check the next time Windows start normally without any blue screen errors.
Repair Corrupted Windows System Files
Corrupted system files are another common reason that can lead to instability and compatibility issues, that result different blue screen errors on Windows 10. And running the system file checker utility help repair corrupted Windows system files and resolve various system errors, including the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” error on Windows 10.
- Press Windows key + R, type cmd Right click on the command prompt and select run as administrator,
- Now type the command sfc /scannow and press enter key
- The utility scan for corrupt system files and attempt to repair them.
This will start the scanning process for, corrupted and missing system files. If this System File Checker finds out the protected files are overwritten by incorrect files. It will extract the correct system file from the system file backup (namely dllcache) and replace the incorrect file.
This process may take some time, so be patient and avoid interrupting it.
Once done you need to reboot your PC to take the changes effect.
Note – In some cases, the SFC scan may not be able to repair all corrupted files. If that happens, you can try running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command to repair the Windows system image.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Run memory Diagnostic Tool
Your hardware can often cause these types of errors. If you installed any new hardware recently we advise you to remove or replace it and check if that fixes the error. If your hardware is not compatible with your motherboard, your system will crash and you’ll get a BSOD error.
Also, faulty Memory Modules can sometimes cause Blue Screen Errors. We recommend Run the Windows memory diagnostic Tool To check Memory errors.
- Press the Windows key + R, type mdsched.exe and hit the enter key to open Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
- Here you will see two options to run the Tool, Save your work and click on the first option Restart now and check for problems.
- This will restart Windows and check for memory Module Errors.
- Wait until 100% complete the process then Restart windows. You can find memory Diagnostic Test Results from here.
Check for Virus Malware Infection
As discussed Viruses or Malware infections can cause a number of problems including different blue Screen errors. We strongly recommend Before applying any solutions, first download and install a good antivirus/Anti-malware application and perform a full system scan.
Also Clean Junk, Cache, and unwanted files, and optimize Broken, Corrupted Windows registry Entries using a free third-party application like Ccleaner. After that Restart Windows and check if any virus, malware, broken registry, or cache file is cause after running a Full system scan you never face this BSOD error.
Turn Off Fast Startup Feature
Windows 10 added a Fast startup Feature, (Hybrid Shutdown feature) to reduce the startup time and make Windows start very fast. This Feature has some Disadvantages which cause different problems on Windows 10, you can check it here. A number of Windows users report after disabling the Windows 10 Fast startup feature driver_overran_stack_buffer BSOD Error was fixed for them.
To disable the Fast Startup Feature:
- Press Windows key + S, search for the control panel and select it, Chane it to Large icon view then click on Power Option
- Or you can press the Windows key + R, type powercfg.cpl and click ok to open the same window,
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do then Change Settings that are currently unavailable.
- And finally, Uncheck Turn off fast startup (recommended).
- Save Settings and restart your PC, Now, See if it really resolves the Driver overran stack buffer blue screen error.
Uninstall the problematic software
Third-party software can also cause Blue screen errors to appear. If the error started to appear, immediately after you installed an application or install a new driver, Then there is a chance that this new program could be causing the error. for this, you have to uninstall the program, then evaluate your system.
- Open Control panel -> small icon view -> programs and Features.
- Here select the recently installed application and click uninstall.
Restore the System To the previous Working state
If all the above methods fail to fix driver_overran_stack_buffer Blue Screen Error. Then it’s time to utilize the Windows system restore feature, Which Reverts back your system to a previous working state, Where windows run without any problem. check How To Perform System Restore on Windows 10, 8.1, and 7.
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