PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREAWindows OS (Blue Screen of Death)

How to Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (Windows OS (Blue Screen of Death))

Quick Answer

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error indicates that the operating system attempted to access a page of memory that was not found in the non-paged area of memory. This often points to issues with RAM, device drivers, or system files. A common initial fix involves running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

What Causes This Error

Faulty Random Access Memory (RAM) modules.
Corrupted or outdated device drivers (especially for network adapters, graphics cards, or storage controllers).
Damaged or corrupted system files.
Issues with recently installed software or hardware.
Disk errors or bad sectors on the hard drive.
Antivirus software conflicts.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to Check RAM

Save all open work and close applications.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type "mdsched.exe" and press Enter.
Select "Restart now and check for problems (recommended)".
The computer will restart and run the memory diagnostic tool. Allow it to complete the process. If errors are reported, consider replacing the RAM modules.

2Update or Roll Back Device Drivers

Right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager".
Expand categories such as "Display adapters", "Network adapters", and "Storage controllers".
Right-click on each device, select "Update driver", then "Search automatically for updated driver software".
If a driver update was recently installed and the error began, right-click the device, select "Properties", go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver" if available. Restart the computer after any changes.

3Check for Disk Errors with CHKDSK

Right-click the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)".
Type "chkdsk /f /r" and press Enter. Confirm with 'Y' if prompted to schedule the check on the next restart.
Restart your computer to allow the scan to run. This process can take a significant amount of time depending on the size and speed of your drive.
Review the scan results for any reported errors. If bad sectors are found, consider backing up data and replacing the drive.

4Scan for Corrupted System Files using SFC

Right-click the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)".
Type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.
Allow the scan to complete. This process will identify and attempt to repair corrupted system files.
If issues are found and repaired, restart your computer. If issues cannot be repaired, proceed to the DISM tool.

Advanced Fixes

Use DISM to Repair Windows Image

Right-click the Start button and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)".
Type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" and press Enter.
Allow the command to complete. This process uses Windows Update to provide files needed to fix corruptions.
After DISM completes, run "sfc /scannow" again to ensure all system files are repaired.
Restart your computer.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

Press the Windows key + R, type "sysdm.cpl", and press Enter.
Go to the "Advanced" tab and click "Settings" under "Performance".
Go to the "Advanced" tab in the Performance Options window, and under "Virtual memory", click "Change...".
Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives". Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:).
Choose "Custom size". Set "Initial size" to 1.5 times your total RAM and "Maximum size" to 3 times your total RAM. For example, if you have 8GB (8192 MB) of RAM, set Initial size to 12288 MB and Maximum size to 24576 MB.
Click "Set", then "OK" on all open windows. Restart your computer.

Perform a Clean Boot

Press the Windows key + R, type "msconfig", and press Enter.
Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services", then click "Disable all".
Go to the "Startup" tab, click "Open Task Manager". In Task Manager, disable all startup items one by one.
Close Task Manager, then click "OK" on the System Configuration window and restart your computer.
If the error does not reappear, enable services and startup items one by one or in small groups to identify the conflicting software. Re-enable all services and startup items once troubleshooting is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA mean?

This error signifies that the operating system tried to access a piece of data that should have been in a specific memory region (the non-paged pool), but it was not found. This typically indicates a problem with hardware, such as RAM, or software, like a faulty device driver or corrupted system files.

Can a virus cause the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error?

While less common than hardware or driver issues, malware or viruses can corrupt system files or interfere with memory management, potentially leading to this error. Running a full system scan with reputable antivirus software is a recommended troubleshooting step.

Is it safe to remove and reseat RAM modules?

Yes, carefully removing and reseating RAM modules can sometimes resolve issues caused by poor contact or dust. Ensure the computer is completely powered off and unplugged before performing this action. Consult your computer's manual for specific instructions on accessing RAM slots.

How do I know if my RAM is faulty?

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool (mdsched.exe) can help identify RAM issues. If it reports errors, or if the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error persists despite other fixes, it strongly suggests faulty RAM. Testing with known good RAM or individually testing multiple RAM sticks can confirm this.