Solved: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Error on Windows

Rick Akura
If you're struggling to fix the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error on your PC, this guide will show you different ways to solve this blue screen error.

If you are running Windows and receive a PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error, don't worry. This article will show you how to solve the problem. We will walk through two different methods: fixing the error with the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and repairing your registry.

Follow these simple steps, and you should be back up and running in no time!

If you've been struggling to fix the Page Fault In Nonpaged Area error on Windows, look no further. This guide will show you how to identify and solve the problem. Follow these simple steps and you'll be up and running in no time!

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Error on Windows

Table of Contents 

What Is a Blue Screen/BSOD Error?

A "blue screen" error (also called BSOD for short) occurs when a fatal system error occurs on your device. It's a typical problem in which your machine receives a specific STOP code and is forced to reboot. The error code is always displayed to help you identify what caused the blue screen error.

The majority of blue screen faults are caused by system-related difficulties that cause Windows to return a STOP code, which leads to a system crash. This occurs without notice, meaning your work may be lost and files may get damaged. Always make sure you save often and create system backups!

A stop code is emitted by each blue screen problem. These error codes are unique, meaning they can be used to determine the source of the problem or obtain suggested solutions online. It also aids in the identification and troubleshooting of your gadget, allowing IT experts to effectively identify and fix the problem.

Fortunately, you won't have to spend hundreds of dollars on repairs. Follow our methods below to repair the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error for free! We'll accompany you through each stage so that your computer is restored successfully.

What Causes the "Page Fault In Nonpaged Area" Error?

Blue screen errors can occur when the computer is updated or upgraded after installing program and driver updates. These difficulties are typical in everyday usage, although they may arise while using general applications.

Here are some possible causes for the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA blue screen of death error:

  • Faulty hardware or hardware failure. If your RAM or hard drive runs into an error, this error may be caused by faulty equipment. In this instance, you'll need to repair or replace your memory modules or get a new hard drive.
  • Recently installed updates. Did you recently update Windows? It's possible that the update started the error you're dealing with. In this case, you may need to roll back your operating system.
  • Recently installed app. Sometimes an application you installed recently can cause errors, especially if it's not compatible with Microsoft Windows. Affected programs should be uninstalled so you can test if they caused the error.
  • Antivirus software. Users have reported that some antivirus apps can cause this blue screen error under some circumstances. The easiest thing you can do is temporarily disable your antivirus and see if it helps.
  • Outdated driver. Your device drivers may be outdated, missing, or installed incorrectly. If a driver is not updated, it can cause numerous issues. You may need to reinstall the driver or update it to the latest version.
  • Registry problems. Your registry may be corrupt, which can lead to the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA blue screen error code. Try running a registry cleaner to repair your registry and see if it helps.
  • Outdated operating system. It's possible that your Windows operating system is outdated and needs to be updated. This can usually be done through Windows Update.
  • Recently updated driver software. A driver you recently installed could cause this blue screen error in rare cases. If your device drivers were updated in the past week, this could be the root cause.

After you determine the source of the problem, you can follow our solutions below to fix it.

How To Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen on Windows

Because the Page Fault In Nonpaged Area error can be caused by a variety of issues, the troubleshooting steps below will help you no matter what the source of this issue is.

Prerequisite: Boot your computer in Safe Mode

It may be essential to enter Safe Mode in order to complete some of the solutions listed below. You can also begin troubleshooting by determining whether the problem occurs in Safe Mode rather than standard boot mode.

  1. Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key on your keyboard while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). You may also need to hold down the Fn (function) key on certain devices.
  2. Tip: If you can’t boot into WinRE using the keyboard shortcut, keep turning your computer on and off until it automatically starts in the repair environment. On average, you need to turn the computer on and off about three times.
  3. Navigate through to See advanced repair options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
    computer safe mode
  4. You'll now see a selection of several restart choices. By pressing F5 on your keyboard, you’ll enable Safe Mode with Networking. Wait for your system to restart and see if it successfully boots.

If you’re able to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode without the blue screen error appearing, you can troubleshoot further! For example, scanning your computer for malware with the Windows Defender is a great first step.

Method 1. Perform a clean boot

Start your system in clean boot mode to guarantee that your computer operates without third-party services. Before booting, this will disable any apps and services from third parties, which reduces the possibility of conflicts. In this clean boot state, see whether you still get the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA blue screen problem.

  1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode using the steps in Method 1. After your system boots, press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to bring up the Run utility in a new window.
  2. Type in “msconfig” without the quotation marks and press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will launch the System Configuration window.
    msconfig
  3. Switch over to the Services tab. Make sure that you check the Hide all Microsoft services box. This is going to ensure that you only see third-party services.
    hide all icrosoft services
  4. After hiding all system services, click the Disable all button to disable every third-party service on your device.
    hide all microsoft services
  5. Click the Apply button and restart your computer. When you boot next, your computer will only initiate essential Microsoft services.
  6. Restart your computer. You'll be in a clean boot state with only official Microsoft services running. Check if the Windows Driver Foundation is still using up CPU resources in this state.

If you notice that the BSOD at hand doesn’t happen when you boot in a clean state, there’s a third-party service or app causing the issue. You need to identify it and replace the associated driver or app or disable the service altogether. 

Method 2. Test Your Computer Hardware

If you've recently upgraded or changed your computer's hardware, it's worth double-checking to see whether everything was properly installed. New RAM sticks sometimes fail, and even old ones may go bad. Here are some things you can try to check the RAM. Remember to turn off your computer and unplug all of the cables from the wall before continuing.

Here are some things you can try to check your computer's memory problems:

  • If you're using two separate RAM sticks, try swapping the slots. If you have more than one RAM stick, test each one separately to see which is faulty. Only use one RAM slot at a time.
  • If you're using a single RAM chip, check for any dust or other dirt and clean it off.
  • If you've got any spare RAM sticks, test swapping out the memory and rebooting the PC. If the issue doesn't appear, it's likely that the original RAM stick is faulty.

Faulty RAM can cause this blue screen of death error. While rare, it's definitely possible for your computer's memory to go bad over time. If you think your hardware may be the problem, you'll need to take it to a professional for further testing or replace it.

Method 3. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a Windows built-in tool to help find and resolve system errors related to Windows memory. It will test your RAM and inform you if there are any issues that are affecting its functionality.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to bring up the Run utility. Here, simply type in "mdsched.exe" and press the OK button.
    mdsched.exe
  2. Choose "Restart now and check for problems (recommended)" to instantly begin a memory scan. Make sure to save any files and close all open applications before clicking on this option.
    restart now and check for problems
  3. Alternatively, choose "Check for problems the next time I start my computer" and restart the device at a more convenient time.
  4. The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool interface will then show up and automatically start testing your PC’s memory problems. The process may take a few minutes, so you should be patient and let it run till completion and display the test results.

If the Windows diagnostic tool doesn’t find or display any errors now or the next time you log on), chances are your PC’s memory is fine. In this case, proceed to the methods below to continue investigating the error.

Method 4. Disable Automatic Management of Paging File Size

This technique has a high rate of success in addressing the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGE AREA crash since it deals with virtual memory straight away. Windows usually manage the paging file size, but if it's causing your system to crash, you should turn it off.

  1. Go to File Explorer and right-click This PC, then select Properties from the context menu.
  2. On the left-hand side, click on Advanced system settings. You'll need administrative permissions to do this. If you're using a local account that doesn't have administrator permissions.
  3. Click on the Advanced button in System Properties to access the advanced options.
  4. Click on Settings under the Performance section. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.
  5. Click on Change in the Virtual Memory section.
  6. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option, and then click on the OK button. Apply all settings, then restart your computer.

Method 5. Run System Restore

Before the blue screen issue, your system could have saved a restore point, or you may have created one manually. You'll be able to restore your system to that state in such an instance. This might solve the problem because it's similar to going back in time before a system mistake occurred.

  1. Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
  2. Type in System Restore and click on Recovery from the search results. This should be on the top, in the Best match category.
    run system restore
  3. This will take you to the Control Panel. Here, click on the Open System Restore link that can be seen in the Advanced recovery tools section.
    control panel
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore a past point in time. You can select a restore point yourself, or use the recommended one if Windows 10 shows the option. Don’t forget to check what files and applications will be affected!
    windows system restore
  5. After choosing the options you’re happy with, click on the Finish button and wait for Windows to restore your computer. You’ll be able to tell whether or not this worked after your computer restarts with the loaded restore point.

Method 6. Manage Audio and Display Drivers

It's possible that your computer's hardware drivers are outdated, or that a rogue/malfunctioning device driver is causing the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA stop code. Use the steps below to check for outdated device drivers or update all of them at once.

Update drivers using Windows Update

  1. Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen to bring up the Start menu. Choose Settings, or alternatively use the Windows + I shortcut.
    windows settings
  2. Click on the Update & Security tile. This is where you can find most of your Windows Update settings.
    windows update
  3. Go to the Windows Update section, and then click on the View optional updates link if available.
    Windows update
  4. Expand the Driver updates section, and review what drivers currently need an update. To update the drivers, simply place a checkmark next to them, and then click the Download and install button.

  5. Allow Windows to update your drivers, and then reboot your computer.

Update drivers using the Device Manager

  1. Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard and click on the Device Manager option from the WinX menu.
    driver manager
  2. Right-click on the driver you want to update. If the problem was caused by a printer driver, for example, you would need to extend the Printers section. Choose Update Driver from the context menu.
    choose driver from context manu
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers from the options. This will allow Windows 10 to connect to the internet and locate the latest drivers for your device. You may be prompted to select a driver if multiple updates are found.
    search driver automatically
  4. Wait for the driver installation to complete and restart your computer to apply the changes. You’ll immediately be able to tell if updating your drivers has helped in resolving the blue screen error.

Method 7. Run an SFC Scan

The System File Checker (SFC) is one of the two most efficient tools for correcting system files. Because there are an infinite number of reasons why the problem might occur, it's best that you use this tool to identify and repair the issue automatically.

  1. Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key on your keyboard while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). You may also need to hold down the Fn (function) key on certain devices.

    Tip: If you can’t boot into WinRE using the keyboard shortcut, keep turning your computer on and off until it automatically starts in the repair environment. On average, you need to turn the computer on and off about three times.
  2. From the Choose an option screen, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
    command promp
  3. Type in the following command and press Enter to execute it: sfc /scannow
    sfc /scannow
  4. Wait for the System File Checker to finish scanning your computer. In the case of a discrepancy, the utility will restore system files and fix all errors related to them.

When the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if you still encounter the blue screen error. If the issue doesn’t happen again, you’ve successfully solved it with the System File Checker’s help!

Method 8. Scan for Malware

Malware may cause a computer to generate a large number of errors. Ideally, the malware should be identified and quarantined before it can do significant harm. Use Windows Defender's scanning tool to detect and remove malware. It examines a wide range of suspect software and removes it from your computer.

If you're dealing with a serious cyber attack, we recommend using Malwarebytes' scanning tool to detect and remove malware. You can also purchase better protection to prevent malware from getting on your computers such as NOD32 and Avast Antivirus.

To scan, we’ll use the Windows Defender built-in program, which is available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free.

  1. Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
  2. Type in Windows Security and launch it from the search results.
  3. Switch to the Virus & Threat Protection tab using the home screen or the menu in the left-side pane. Click on the Scan Options link.
  4. Select the Full scan option. This is going to check every single file on all of your drives to ensure no threats can hide. Take note that this scan may last over 1-2 hours, depending on how many files you have on your system.
  5. Click on the Scan now button to begin the scan. If a threat is detected, Windows will automatically quarantine or remove it entirely. You can review the scan results afterward.

Method 9. Disable Antivirus

Your antivirus program may occasionally detect sites as false positives, which means it incorrectly identifies a safe website as suspicious. In this instance, you'll need to temporarily disable your antivirus software before connecting to the website that's now giving you the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA issue.

  1. Right-click on an empty space in your taskbar and choose Task Manager from the context menu.
  2. Switch to the Start-up tab using the header menu located at the top of the window. Here, find your antivirus application from the list and select it by clicking on it once.
  3. Click on the Disable button now visible in the bottom-right of the window. This will disable the application from launching when you start your device.
  4. Restart your computer and see if you’re able to access the website giving you an error. Don’t forget to turn your antivirus app back on after!

Final Thoughts

That’s it: we hope this article was helpful in resolving the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA blue screen error on your computer. 

Now, we’d like to turn it over to you.

 

Tags: Troubleshooting
Author: Rick Akura