Troubleshooting Xhunter1.sys Blue Screen Errors on Windows 11/10: A Comprehensive Guide

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Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors are a persistent and frustrating issue for Windows users. Among the various culprits behind these system crashes, the xhunter1.sys file has been identified in numerous reports. This driver file is associated with XIGNCODE3 System Guard, an anti-cheat engine commonly implemented in online games. Users encountering this issue often report DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA errors, pinpointing xhunter1.sys as the source of the problem.

These errors manifest in a variety of scenarios. Some users experience BSOD when attempting to launch a game, immediately after closing a game, or even while working with other applications. Reports also indicate that the error frequently occurs when starting or playing specific games like Blade and Soul or PUBG. Regardless of the specific trigger, the underlying issue points to a problem with the xhunter1.sys driver interacting with the Windows operating system. This guide provides a comprehensive set of solutions to address and resolve these xhunter1.sys related Blue Screen errors on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Fix Xhunter1.sys Blue Screen Error¶

If you are facing the xhunter1.sys BSOD error during specific tasks, while launching games, or during gameplay on your Windows 11/10 PC, the following solutions are designed to help you resolve the issue. These recommendations are presented in no particular order, and their effectiveness may vary depending on the root cause of the error in your specific system configuration. It is advisable to attempt these solutions systematically until the problem is resolved.

1. Install the xhunter1.sys driver in Compatibility Mode
2. Delete the xhunter1.sys file
3. Temporarily disable Driver Signature Enforcement and/or Memory Integrity
4. Disable Paging File
5. Troubleshoot using WinDbg
6. Reinstall the game

Let’s delve into each of these solutions in detail to provide a clear understanding and step-by-step guidance for implementation. If your system is unable to boot normally due to the BSOD errors, you may need to boot into Safe Mode, access Advanced Startup Options, or utilize Windows Installation Media to perform these troubleshooting steps.

1] Install the xhunter1.sys driver in Compatibility Mode¶

Driver incompatibility is a frequent cause of BSOD errors, especially when dealing with older drivers or drivers not fully optimized for the latest Windows versions. It is plausible that the xhunter1.sys driver, designed for XIGNCODE3, might exhibit compatibility issues with newer iterations of Windows 11 or Windows 10. To address this potential incompatibility, installing the driver in Compatibility Mode can be a viable solution. This mode allows you to run the driver installation using settings from a previous version of Windows, potentially resolving conflicts arising from OS differences.

Steps to Install in Compatibility Mode:

1. Locate the Driver Setup File: Find the setup file for the xhunter1.sys driver. This file might be included with the game installation or available from the game developer’s website or XIGNCODE3 support resources.
2. Access Properties: Right-click on the driver setup file.
3. Open Compatibility Tab: From the context menu that appears, select Properties. In the Properties window, navigate to the Compatibility tab.
4. Enable Compatibility Mode: Within the Compatibility tab, check the box labeled Run this program in compatibility mode.
5. Select Previous OS: Click on the dropdown menu below “Run this program in compatibility mode” and choose a previous operating system, such as Windows 8 or Windows 7. Experiment with different older versions if the first choice doesn’t resolve the issue.
6. Apply Changes: Click OK to save the changes and close the Properties window.
7. Install the Driver: Now, run the driver setup file as you normally would. The installation process will now attempt to install the driver using the compatibility settings you have specified.
8. Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter (Optional): If you still encounter issues after installing in compatibility mode, you can use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. Search for “Program Compatibility Troubleshooter” in the Windows search bar and run it. This tool can automatically detect and fix common compatibility problems.

By installing the xhunter1.sys driver in compatibility mode, you are instructing Windows to run the driver with settings that are more likely to be compatible with older system configurations, potentially circumventing the BSOD errors caused by driver incompatibility.

2] Delete the xhunter1.sys file¶

The xhunter1.sys file is intrinsically linked to XIGNCODE3 System Guardian, an anti-cheat solution developed by Wellbia.com. This driver is often bundled with online games that utilize XIGNCODE3 to prevent cheating. Interestingly, some users report encountering the xhunter1.sys error even without having any games that use XIGNCODE3 installed on their system. This is because it can be installed as a virtual driver, acting as a preemptive anti-cheat measure for online gaming environments.

If you do not actively play online games that rely on XIGNCODE3, removing the xhunter1.sys file might be a straightforward solution. The system should automatically reinstall the necessary driver when you launch a game that requires it in the future.

Methods to Delete xhunter1.sys:

• Using Driver Store Explorer (recommended for safety):

  1. Download and install Driver Store Explorer (https://github.com/lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer - be cautious and download from reputable sources).
  2. Run Driver Store Explorer as administrator.
  3. Locate the xhunter1.sys driver package in the list. You may need to sort by name or publisher to find it easily.
  4. Select the driver package and click Delete Package.
  5. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
  6. Restart your computer.

• Manual Deletion in Safe Mode (advanced users):

  1. Boot your Windows 11/10 system into Safe Mode. You can usually do this by restarting your computer and pressing F8 or Shift+F8 repeatedly during startup. Alternatively, you can use the Advanced Startup Options in Windows Settings.
  2. Once in Safe Mode, open File Explorer.
  3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers.
  4. Locate the xhunter1.sys file.
  5. Right-click on the file and select Delete.
  6. Confirm the deletion if prompted.
  7. Restart your computer to exit Safe Mode and boot normally.

Caution: Deleting system files, especially drivers, should be done with care. Using Driver Store Explorer is generally safer as it manages driver packages correctly. Manually deleting files in Safe Mode requires caution to avoid deleting critical system files. Only proceed with manual deletion if you are comfortable with system file management.

3] Temporarily Disable Driver Signature Enforcement and/or Memory Integrity¶

Driver Signature Enforcement is a Windows security feature that ensures only digitally signed drivers, verified by Microsoft, are loaded into the kernel. This mechanism is designed to prevent malicious or unstable drivers from compromising system stability and security. Similarly, Memory Integrity, part of Core Isolation, prevents malicious code from injecting itself into high-security processes.

However, in some cases, legitimate drivers, especially those from smaller developers or older software, might not be digitally signed or fully compatible with Memory Integrity. This can lead to Windows blocking the xhunter1.sys driver, triggering BSOD errors.

If Event Viewer logs indicate issues related to driver signature or loading failures for xhunter1.sys, temporarily disabling these security features before launching the game can be a workaround.

Checking Event Viewer for Related Errors:

1. Press Windows key + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter to open Event Viewer.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
3. Look for Error or Warning events related to xhunter1.sys around the time of the BSOD.
4. Examine the event details for messages indicating driver signature verification failure or loading errors. Examples from the original article include Event ID 26 and Event ID 7000, specifically mentioning xhunter1.sys failing to load due to signature issues.

Temporarily Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement:

1. Advanced Startup: Restart your computer and boot into Advanced Startup Options. You can usually access this by repeatedly pressing F11 or F12 during startup, or through Windows Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
2. Troubleshoot Options: In the Advanced Startup Options menu, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. Startup Settings Menu: After restart, you will see the Startup Settings menu. Press 7 or F7 to select “Disable driver signature enforcement”.
4. Boot into Windows: Windows will boot with driver signature enforcement disabled. This setting is temporary and will be re-enabled after a normal restart.
5. Launch Game: Now, try launching the game that was causing the BSOD error.

Temporarily Disabling Memory Integrity:

1. Search for “Core Isolation” in the Windows search bar and open Core Isolation.
2. Toggle the Memory integrity switch to Off.
3. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
4. Launch Game: Try launching the game.
5. Re-enable Memory Integrity (Important): After your gaming session, re-enable Memory integrity by toggling the switch back to On and restarting your computer. Memory Integrity is a crucial security feature and should only be disabled temporarily for troubleshooting.

Important Security Note: Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement and Memory Integrity weakens system security. These should only be done temporarily for troubleshooting purposes and re-enabled immediately after. If disabling these features resolves the BSOD, it indicates a problem with the driver’s signature or compatibility, and you should seek a digitally signed and compatible driver from the game developer or XIGNCODE3 support.

4] Disable Paging File¶

The Paging File, also known as a swap file or virtual memory, is a hidden system file on your hard drive. It acts as an extension of your RAM, used to store data that is not actively being used by RAM. When RAM becomes full, Windows moves less frequently used data to the paging file to free up RAM for active processes. This mechanism helps prevent system crashes due to memory exhaustion.

However, in some specific scenarios, issues with the paging file itself or its interaction with drivers can lead to system instability, including BSOD errors. Disabling the paging file can be a troubleshooting step to determine if it is contributing to the xhunter1.sys errors.

Steps to Disable Paging File:

1. Open System Properties: Press Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Advanced Tab: In the System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
3. Performance Settings: In the Performance section, click the Settings button.
4. Performance Options - Advanced Tab: In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.
5. Virtual Memory - Change: In the Virtual memory section, click the Change button.
6. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size”: Uncheck the box labeled “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.
7. Select System Drive: Select your system drive (usually C:).
8. No Paging File: Select the radio button for No paging file.
9. Set and Confirm: Click the Set button, then click Yes on the warning prompt to confirm disabling the paging file.
10. OK to Close Windows: Click OK on all open windows (Performance Options, System Properties) to close them.
11. Restart Windows: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Important Considerations After Disabling Paging File:

• System Stability: Disabling the paging file can reduce system stability, especially if you run memory-intensive applications or games. You might experience program errors, crashes, or slowdowns if RAM becomes fully utilized.
• Troubleshooting Purpose: This step is primarily for troubleshooting. If disabling the paging file resolves the xhunter1.sys BSOD, it might indicate an issue with your paging file configuration or disk health.
• Re-enable or Increase Paging File Size: If you disable the paging file for troubleshooting, and it resolves the BSOD, you should consider either re-enabling it with a larger size or investigating potential issues with your hard drive or SSD. If you find your system becomes unstable without a paging file, you should definitely re-enable it, potentially with increased size.

Re-enabling Paging File (if needed):

Follow steps 1-7 as above, then:

8. Select “System managed size” or “Custom size”: Choose “System managed size” to let Windows automatically manage the paging file, or select “Custom size” to manually set initial and maximum sizes (consult online guides for recommended sizes based on your RAM).
9. Set and Confirm: Click Set, OK, and restart your computer.

5] Troubleshoot using WinDbg¶

The Windows Debugger (WinDbg) is a powerful tool provided by Microsoft for advanced troubleshooting of Windows system issues, including Blue Screen errors. WinDbg allows you to analyze crash dump files generated when a BSOD occurs. These dump files contain detailed information about the system state at the time of the crash, including loaded drivers, memory contents, and the call stack leading to the error. Analyzing these dumps with WinDbg can pinpoint the exact cause of the BSOD, potentially identifying the problematic driver or software component.

Using WinDbg effectively requires a degree of technical expertise and familiarity with debugging concepts. However, even with basic guidance, you can extract valuable information from crash dumps.

General Steps for Troubleshooting BSOD with WinDbg:

1. Download and Install WinDbg: Download the Windows SDK from the official Microsoft website (https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/windows-sdk/) and install it, making sure to select “Debugging Tools for Windows” during installation.
2. Configure Symbol Paths (Important): Symbols are debugging information files that help WinDbg interpret memory addresses and function names in the crash dump. You need to configure symbol paths for WinDbg to function effectively.
   • Open WinDbg (search for “WinDbg (X64)” or “WinDbg (X86)” in the Start Menu).
   • Go to File > Symbol File Path.
   • In the Symbol path field, enter: srv*c:\symbols*https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols (you can change c:\symbols to a different local folder if desired). This tells WinDbg to download symbols from Microsoft’s symbol server and cache them locally in c:\symbols.
   • Click OK.
3. Open Crash Dump File:
   • Go to File > Open Crash Dump.
   • Navigate to the location of your crash dump files. By default, crash dumps are saved in %SystemRoot%\MEMORY.DMP (for kernel memory dumps) or mini-dump files in %SystemRoot%\Minidump.
   • Select the relevant crash dump file (usually the latest one).

4. Analyze the Dump File: WinDbg will load the dump file and perform initial analysis. You can use commands to get more information. Some useful commands include:

   • !analyze -v (This is the most important command. It performs automated crash analysis and provides detailed output, including potential causes and suggested modules involved in the crash.)
   • !thread (Displays information about the thread that caused the crash.)
   • !process (Displays information about the process that was running when the crash occurred.)
   • lmvm xhunter1 (Loads module information for xhunter1.sys if it is involved in the crash. This can help verify if xhunter1.sys is indeed the culprit.)
   • .bugcheck (Displays the bug check code and parameters, which represent the specific type of BSOD error.)
   • kb (Displays the stack backtrace of the thread at the time of the crash, showing the sequence of function calls leading to the error.)

5. Interpret the Output: Carefully review the output of the !analyze -v command. It often provides a “MODULE_NAME” or “Probably caused by” section that might directly point to xhunter1.sys or another driver as the cause of the BSOD. The stack backtrace (kb command) can also provide clues about the sequence of events leading to the crash.

6. Further Research: Based on the information from WinDbg, you can research the identified module or error codes online to find more specific troubleshooting steps or driver updates related to the potential cause.

WinDbg Learning Curve: WinDbg is a complex tool, and in-depth analysis often requires advanced debugging knowledge. However, even running !analyze -v and examining the output can provide valuable initial insights into the cause of the BSOD. Numerous online tutorials and guides are available for learning more about using WinDbg for BSOD troubleshooting.

6] Reinstall the Game¶

If none of the above solutions have resolved the xhunter1.sys BSOD errors, a more drastic but potentially effective step is to completely uninstall and then reinstall the game associated with the driver. Game files can become corrupted, or the installation process itself might have been incomplete or flawed, leading to driver issues.

Recommended Uninstallation Method: Using Uninstaller Software

While you can uninstall games through the Windows “Apps & Features” settings, using dedicated uninstaller software is generally recommended for a cleaner and more thorough removal. Uninstaller software, like Revo Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller, or similar tools, not only uninstall the main game program but also scan for and remove associated files, registry entries, and leftover data that standard uninstallers might miss. These remnants can sometimes contribute to persistent issues even after uninstallation.

Steps to Reinstall the Game:

1. Uninstall using Uninstaller Software:
   • Download and install a reputable uninstaller software (e.g., Revo Uninstaller Free).
   • Run the uninstaller software.
   • Locate the game in the list of installed programs.
   • Use the uninstaller software’s “uninstall” feature, typically choosing the “Advanced” or “Thorough” mode to scan for and remove leftover files and registry entries after the main uninstallation process.
   • Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
2. Restart Your Computer: After uninstallation, restart your computer to ensure all remnants are cleared from memory.
3. Reinstall the Game:
   • Download the game installer from the official game website or platform (e.g., Steam, Epic Games Store).
   • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the game.
   • Ensure you install the game to a location with sufficient disk space and proper permissions.
4. Test the Game: After reinstallation, launch the game and play for a while to see if the xhunter1.sys BSOD errors are resolved.

Reinstalling the game ensures a fresh installation of all game files, including the xhunter1.sys driver and related components. This can eliminate potential corruption or installation errors that were causing the BSOD issues.

Can I remove xhunter1 sys?¶

Yes, you can remove the xhunter1.sys file, especially if you have uninstalled the game that installed it or if you don’t play games that use XIGNCODE3. Removing it through Driver Store Explorer (as described in Solution 2) is the recommended method.

Alternatively, you can attempt to remove registry entries related to xhunter1 after uninstalling the game:

Removing Registry Entries (Advanced Users - Use with Caution):

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Find “xhunter”: In Registry Editor, go to Edit > Find (or press Ctrl + F).
3. Search Term: Type xhunter in the “Find what” field and click Find Next.
4. Delete Relevant Keys/Values: Registry Editor will highlight a key or value containing “xhunter”. Carefully examine it to ensure it is related to xhunter1.sys or XIGNCODE3 and not a critical system component. If it is related, right-click on the key or value and select Delete.
5. Repeat Search: Press F3 to repeat the search for the next instance of “xhunter”. Continue reviewing and deleting relevant entries until the search finds no more results.
6. Restart Computer: Restart your computer after deleting registry entries.

Caution: Incorrectly modifying the Windows Registry can cause serious system problems. Back up your registry before making any changes. Only delete registry entries that you are absolutely sure are related to xhunter1.sys and are safe to remove. If you are unsure, it is best to avoid manual registry editing.

What is a Xigncode error?¶

XIGNCODE errors are various error codes that can occur when the XIGNCODE3 anti-cheat engine encounters issues. These errors can prevent games from launching or cause crashes during gameplay. Here’s a summary of some common XIGNCODE error codes and their typical causes:

Error Code Range	Description	Possible Causes
0xE0010001~0xE0010007	Internal XIGNCODE problem	Internal errors within the XIGNCODE engine itself.
0xE0190101~0xE0190109	Damaged XIGNCODE files	Corrupted or incomplete XIGNCODE files, possibly due to installation issues or file corruption.
0xE0191005	Game client duplicate launches	Attempting to launch the game client multiple times simultaneously.
0xE019100B	Detection of program usage irrelevant to the game	Running programs that XIGNCODE detects as potentially interfering with the game or cheating.
0xE0191006	XIGNCODE process issue during initial launching stage	Problems during the initial startup of the XIGNCODE process.
0xE0191007	Irregular game client launched	Launching the game client in an unexpected or unsupported way.
0xE0191009	XIGNCODE issue during the update process	Problems encountered while XIGNCODE is attempting to update itself.
0xE019100C	PC blocked due to previous hack tool usage	The PC has been flagged for previous use of cheat tools or hacking attempts.

General Troubleshooting for XIGNCODE Errors:

• Restart your computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
• Verify game file integrity: Use the game platform’s file verification feature (e.g., “Verify integrity of game files” on Steam) to check for and repair corrupted game files.
• Reinstall the game: As mentioned earlier, a clean reinstall can fix many installation-related issues.
• Close unnecessary background applications: Close any programs running in the background that are not essential, especially potential overlay programs or cheat-related software.
• Update graphics drivers: Ensure your graphics card drivers are up to date.
• Check for XIGNCODE updates: Sometimes, XIGNCODE updates are released to fix bugs and compatibility issues. Ensure your game and XIGNCODE are up to date.
• Contact game support: If the errors persist, contact the game’s support team or XIGNCODE support for further assistance, providing the specific error code you are encountering.

By systematically applying these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve most xhunter1.sys Blue Screen errors and XIGNCODE related issues on your Windows 11/10 system.

If you found these solutions helpful, or if you have encountered other solutions that worked for you, please share your experience in the comments below! Your insights could be valuable to other users facing similar issues.