Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (0x00000050) BSOD: Comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide

Table of Contents

• Understanding the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Error¶
• Troubleshooting Steps to Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA¶
• Quick Fix Summary: How to Fix Page Faults¶
• Conclusion¶

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error, identified by the stop code 0x00000050, is a critical Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error in Windows operating systems. This error typically arises when your computer is under significant stress or load, but it can also occur during normal usage. It signals that the system attempted to access data in memory that was not available, specifically in a nonpaged area of memory. This situation can be triggered by a variety of underlying issues, ranging from hardware malfunctions to software conflicts. Understanding the root causes and systematically troubleshooting them is crucial for resolving this frustrating error and ensuring system stability.

Understanding the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Error¶

To grasp the essence of this error, it’s important to understand the concept of memory paging. Modern operating systems like Windows use virtual memory, which allows them to use disk space as an extension of RAM. Data frequently accessed is kept in physical RAM for quick retrieval. Less frequently used data is moved to the hard drive in a process called “paging.” The “nonpaged area” refers to a section of memory that is not supposed to be paged out to disk. This area is reserved for critical system operations that require immediate access to data.

When a PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error occurs, it signifies that the system requested data that should have been in this nonpaged memory area, but it was not found. The system then generates a “page fault,” attempting to retrieve the data. However, because the data is expected to be in the nonpaged area and isn’t, the system cannot recover, resulting in the BSOD. Common culprits behind this error include faulty or incompatible hardware, especially RAM, outdated or corrupted device drivers, system service malfunctions, conflicts with antivirus software, and corruption within the NTFS file system.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA¶

Addressing the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error requires a methodical approach to identify and eliminate potential causes. The following troubleshooting steps are designed to guide you through the process, starting with the most common and easily resolvable issues and progressing to more advanced techniques. It is recommended to perform these steps in the order presented, testing your system after each step to see if the error has been resolved.

1. Test Your Memory¶

Faulty RAM is a frequent cause of the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. Memory issues can manifest in various ways, and the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool is a built-in utility designed to identify problems with your computer’s RAM.

To run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool:

1. Press Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
3. You will be presented with two options:
   • Restart now and check for problems (Recommended): This option will immediately restart your computer and begin the memory test.
   • Check for problems the next time I start my computer: This option will schedule the memory test to run the next time you restart your computer.
4. Choose your preferred option. If you select the first option, ensure you save any unsaved work as your computer will restart immediately.

The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool will perform a series of tests on your RAM. This process may take some time to complete. Upon completion, Windows will restart, and the test results will typically be displayed automatically after logging back in. If errors are detected, it indicates a problem with your RAM modules. You may need to replace the faulty RAM modules to resolve the issue. If no errors are found, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

2. Run System File Checker (SFC)¶

Corrupted or damaged system files are another potential source of the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. The System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility that scans for and repairs corrupted system files.

To run SFC:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. You can do this by typing cmd in the Windows search bar, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

The SFC tool will now scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with cached copies. This process can take a considerable amount of time, so allow it to complete without interruption. Once the scan is finished, SFC will display a message indicating whether any integrity violations were found and repaired. Restart your computer after the SFC scan is complete and check if the error persists.

Alternatively, you can utilize third-party tools like FixWin, which provides a user-friendly interface to run the System File Checker with a single click, among other system repair functionalities.

3. Disable Automatic Paging File Size Management and Increase Page File Size¶

The paging file, also known as virtual memory, is used by Windows to store less frequently accessed data from RAM on the hard drive. Incorrectly configured or insufficient paging file size can contribute to memory-related errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. Disabling automatic paging file size management and manually setting an appropriate size can sometimes resolve the issue.

To adjust paging file settings:

1. Right-click on This PC (or My Computer) icon on your desktop or in File Explorer and select Properties.
2. Click on Advanced system settings in the left-hand column.
3. In the System Properties window, navigate to the Advanced tab.
4. Under the Performance section, click on the Settings button.
5. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab again.
6. Under the Virtual memory section, click on the Change button.
7. Uncheck the box labeled Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
8. Select your system drive (usually C:).
9. Choose Custom size.
10. Determine the initial and maximum size for your paging file. A common recommendation is to set the initial size to 1.5 times your installed RAM and the maximum size to 3 times your RAM. For example, if you have 8GB of RAM, set the initial size to 12GB (12288MB) and the maximum size to 24GB (24576MB). Note: Use MB for values.
11. Click Set, then OK on all open windows.
12. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Increasing the paging file size provides more virtual memory for Windows to use, potentially alleviating memory pressure and resolving the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error if it is related to insufficient virtual memory.

4. Update Device Drivers¶

Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible device drivers are a frequent cause of various system errors, including BSODs like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. Drivers are essential software components that allow your operating system to communicate with hardware devices. Ensuring that your drivers are up-to-date and compatible with your Windows version is crucial.

To update device drivers:

1. Open Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting “Device Manager,” or by typing “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar.
2. Expand each category of hardware devices to view the installed drivers.
3. Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks or red crosses, as these indicate potential driver issues.
4. Right-click on a device you want to update and select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will attempt to find and install the latest drivers automatically.

If Windows does not find updated drivers, or if you want to ensure you have the latest versions, you can manually download drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Visit the support or downloads section of the website for the manufacturer of your motherboard, graphics card, network adapter, and other hardware components. Download and install the latest drivers compatible with your operating system. Pay particular attention to drivers related to memory controllers and disk controllers, as these are often implicated in PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA errors. After updating drivers, restart your computer.

5. Use System Restore¶

System Restore is a Windows feature that allows you to revert your system to a previous state, known as a restore point. If the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error started occurring recently, using System Restore to revert to a point before the issue began can be an effective solution. This is particularly helpful if the error is caused by recent software installations, driver updates, or system configuration changes.

To use System Restore:

1. Type system restore in the Windows search bar and select Create a restore point.
2. In the System Properties window, click on the System Restore button.
3. Click Next in the System Restore window.
4. Choose a restore point from the list. Select a restore point that was created before the error started occurring. If you are unsure, choose the most recent restore point.
5. Click Scan for affected programs to see which programs and drivers will be affected by restoring to the selected restore point.
6. Click Close, then Next.
7. Click Finish to start the system restore process.

System Restore will restart your computer and revert your system files and settings to the selected restore point. This process can take some time. After the restore is complete, check if the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error is resolved.

6. Disable Antivirus Applications Temporarily¶

In some cases, antivirus software can conflict with the operating system and cause system errors, including PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. This is more likely to occur if your antivirus software is outdated, incompatible, or overly aggressive. To check if your antivirus is the culprit, temporarily disable your antivirus software and see if the error persists.

To disable antivirus software:

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• For third-party antivirus software: Right-click on the antivirus icon in the system tray (usually in the bottom-right corner of your screen). Look for an option to disable protection, shut down, or exit the program. The exact wording and steps will vary depending on your antivirus software. Choose to disable it for a limited time, such as 15-30 minutes, or until the next system restart.
• For Windows Defender (now Microsoft Defender Antivirus):
  1. Type Windows Security in the Windows search bar and open the Windows Security app.
  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  3. Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” click on Manage settings.
  4. Toggle the Real-time protection switch to Off. Confirm if prompted.

After disabling your antivirus software, restart your computer and use it as you normally would to see if the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error reappears. If the error is gone after disabling the antivirus, it indicates a conflict with the antivirus software. You may need to update your antivirus to the latest version, reconfigure its settings, or consider switching to a different antivirus solution. Remember to re-enable your antivirus protection after testing.

7. Check Disk for Errors (chkdsk)¶

File system corruption on your hard drive can also lead to memory-related errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. The chkdsk (Check Disk) utility is a command-line tool in Windows that can scan your hard drive for errors and attempt to repair them.

To run chkdsk:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as described in step 2).

2. In the Command Prompt window, type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.

   • /f parameter tells chkdsk to fix any errors it finds.
   • /r parameter tells chkdsk to locate bad sectors on the disk and recover readable information. This includes /f functionality.

3. You will be prompted to schedule the disk check to run the next time the system restarts because the drive is in use. Type Y and press Enter.

4. Restart your computer.

During startup, chkdsk will run and scan your hard drive for errors. This process can take a significant amount of time, especially for large drives or drives with many errors. Allow chkdsk to complete without interruption. After chkdsk finishes and your system restarts, check if the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error is resolved.

8. Disable Memory Caching in BIOS¶

Memory caching, also known as RAM caching or CPU caching, is a technique used to speed up memory access by storing frequently accessed data in a cache. While generally beneficial, in some cases, memory caching can cause instability and errors, including PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, especially if there are hardware compatibility issues or memory problems. Disabling memory caching in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings can sometimes resolve these issues.

Caution: Modifying BIOS settings should be done with care, as incorrect settings can prevent your computer from booting or cause other problems. Refer to your motherboard manual for specific instructions on accessing and navigating your BIOS settings.

To disable memory caching in BIOS:

1. Restart your computer.
2. As your computer starts up, press the designated key to enter BIOS setup. This key is usually displayed briefly during startup and can be Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
3. Once in BIOS setup, navigate to the Advanced or Performance settings. The exact location of the memory caching settings varies depending on the BIOS.
4. Look for options related to Cache Memory, Internal Cache, External Cache, or Memory Caching.
5. Disable the memory caching option. It might be labeled as Enabled, Auto, or similar. Change it to Disabled.
6. Save changes and exit BIOS. Typically, you can do this by pressing F10 and confirming the save operation, or by navigating to the Exit menu and selecting “Save Changes and Exit.”
7. Your computer will restart. Check if disabling memory caching resolves the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error.

If disabling memory caching resolves the error, it might indicate an underlying hardware issue, possibly with RAM or the motherboard. Consider running more thorough hardware diagnostics or consulting with a hardware technician. If disabling memory caching does not resolve the error, you can re-enable it in BIOS for optimal system performance.

9. Run Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter¶

Microsoft provides an online Blue Screen Troubleshooter that can help diagnose and resolve various BSOD errors, including PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. This troubleshooter is designed to guide users through common troubleshooting steps and provide relevant resources.

To use the Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter:

1. Open your web browser and search for “Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter Microsoft” or directly navigate to the Microsoft support website for blue screen error troubleshooting.
2. Follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter. It may ask you questions about when the error occurs, what you were doing when it happened, and what troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
3. The troubleshooter may provide specific recommendations or links to further resources based on your answers.
4. Follow the suggested steps and check if they resolve the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error.

While the online troubleshooter is not a guaranteed fix, it can be a helpful starting point, especially for users who are less familiar with troubleshooting BSOD errors.

Quick Fix Summary: How to Fix Page Faults¶

To quickly address a PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error, consider these key steps:

1. Restart your computer: A simple restart can sometimes clear temporary glitches that cause the error.
2. Run Memory Check: Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to test your RAM for errors.
3. Update Drivers: Ensure your device drivers, especially for memory and disk controllers, are up-to-date.
4. Run Disk Check: Use chkdsk /f /r to scan and repair disk errors.
5. System Restore: Revert your system to a previous stable state using System Restore.
6. Disable Antivirus Temporarily: Check if your antivirus software is causing conflicts by temporarily disabling it.

If these quick steps don’t resolve the issue, proceed with the more detailed troubleshooting steps outlined earlier in this guide.

Conclusion¶

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen of Death error can be a complex issue to troubleshoot, as it can stem from a variety of hardware and software problems. By systematically working through the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively identify and address the root cause of the error and restore stability to your Windows system. Remember to test your system after each step to determine if the error has been resolved. If you continue to experience issues after trying these steps, consider seeking professional technical support for further diagnosis and assistance.

If you found this guide helpful in resolving your PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error, or if you have any further questions or insights to share, please feel free to leave a comment below! Your feedback can help others facing similar issues.