Windows 10 was released in July 2015 and came with a host of new features and improvements. One of the most touted features is its improved reliability and stability. However, like any other software, it is not perfect and can sometimes encounter errors.
One of the errors that you may encounter is the “Kernel Security Check Failure” error. This is a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) error that can be caused by a variety of things, such as a corrupt system file, a faulty driver, or a hardware issue. If you are encountering this error, there are a few things you can do to fix it. This article will go over some methods you can use to troubleshoot and fix this error.
What Causes the “Kernel Security Check Failure” Error in Windows 10?
Before proceeding with the solutions, let’s understand what could be causing this error. There can be several problems triggering the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code. Due to a large number of causes, it is hard to find the real culprit. However, the error is typically caused by a problem with the drivers or hardware on your computer. Sometimes, this error can also be caused by a virus or other type of malware. Other causes could be:
- Problems with your memory
- Corrupted system files
- Incompatible files
- Damaged or corrupted hard disk
- Outdated Windows
- Security software such as antivirus
Fix “Kernel Security Check Failure” Error in Windows 10
Now that we have an idea of what is causing the Kernel Security Check Failure error in Windows 10, we can proceed with the solutions. Let’s walk you through a few different methods you can use to fix the “Kernel Security Check Failure” error in Windows 10.
Solution 1: Update, Uninstall and Reinstall Device Drivers
The most common reason for the “Kernel Security Check Failure”’ error is outdated drivers. However, corrupted or incompatible drivers can also trigger this error. To fix this problem, you’ll need to update your device drivers.
1. Press the Windows + X shortcut keys on your keyboard and select “Device Manager” from the quick access menu.
2. Click on the arrow next to the device entry to expand the list of options.
3. Find the driver that needs to be updated, right-click on it and select “Update driver.”
4. On the next pop-up, select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
5. Windows will automatically install the latest drivers on your computer. Do the same for other outdated drivers as well.
6. Restart your computer.
If updating the drivers does not fix the problem, try uninstalling them and reinstalling them. Here’s how to do it.
1. Follow steps 1-2 from above.
2. Right-click on the driver you want to uninstall and select “Uninstall device.”
3. Restart your computer and the drivers will be installed automatically on your computer.
Updating or reinstalling the corrupted drivers can often fix the Kernel Security Check Failure error. However, if the error persists, you can move to the following solution.
Solution 2: Run Memory Diagnostic Tool
Memory or RAM problems can also lead to a BSOD error like Kernel Security Check Failure. Thankfully, Windows offers a built-in utility to check for any memory problems with your computer. This utility is called the Windows memory diagnostic tool. Here’s how to use it:
1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open a Run dialogue box.
2. Type “mdsched.exe” in the run field and click OK.
3. Select the “Restart now and check for problems (recommended)” option.
4. Your computer will restart automatically and check for any faults with the memory. Once the scan is complete, the utility will display any problems with your computer’s memory.
5. If the utility suggests any fault with your memory, you have to get it fixed or replaced by a technician.
Solution 3: Run a Check Disk Scan
If you’re getting the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code in Windows 10, it’s likely because there’s a problem with your hard drive. To fix the problem, you can run a check disk scan. This will fix any errors on your hard drive and hopefully resolve the issue.
To run a check disk scan, follow these instructions:
1. Press the Windows + S keys simultaneously and type in “cmd.”
2. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” result and select “Run as administrator.”
3. In the Command Prompt window, type in chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
4. The scan will now start. It will take some time to complete, so be patient.
5. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and see if the problem has been resolved.
Solution 4: Run SFC Scan
If running a check disk scan did not fix the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code, try running an SFC scan. SFC or System File Checker is designed to check the integrity of system files and fix any issues with them automatically. Here’s how you can do that.
1. Press the Windows + S keys simultaneously and type in “cmd.”
2. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” result and select “Run as administrator.”
3. In the Command Prompt window, type in sfc/ scannow and press Enter.
4. This will scan all your system files and fix any issues on the way.
5. Restart your computer once the scan is complete.
Solution 5: Check for Windows Updates
Windows keeps pushing updates constantly to protect your system from any problems. However, not updating the Windows may lead to issues like the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code. To fix this, you need to update your Windows to the latest version. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Windows settings.
2. Now, go to Update & Security.
3. Go to Windows Update from the left menu.
4. Now click Check for updates from the right panel.
5. Click Install to download the updates if any are available.
Solution 6: Boot into Safe Mode
If the problem persists, you may try to enter Safe Mode to fix it. Safe Mode will allow you to boot up your computer and run it with only the essential drivers and programs loaded. If the Kernel Security Check Failure error does not occur in Safe Mode, it means that one of your non-essential programs or drivers is causing the issue. You can try uninstalling any recently installed programs or drivers to see if that fixes the problem.
To enter Safe Mode, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialogue box.
2. Type “msconfig” in the Run field and press Enter.
3. On the Boot tab of System Configuration, check “Safe Boot.”
4. Select “Network” from the list of options and click “OK.” This will enter into Safe Mode with networking.
5. If you want to enter Safe Mode without networking, select “Minimal” instead of “Network.”
6. Restart your computer, and you will boot into Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, you can identify and uninstall any recently installed drivers or update that could be causing the error.
Solution 7: Perform a System Restore
If the problem persists, you can perform a system restore to try and fix the issue. System restore will restore your computer to an earlier point in time, which can be helpful if a recent change is causing problems. You can perform a system restore in Windows 10 by following these steps:
1. To perform a system restore, press Windows + S keys simultaneously and then type “Control Panel” into the search box.
2. Click “System and Security” and then select “System.”
3. Under the “System Protection” tab, click on “System Restore.”
4. Click “Next” on the System Restore wizard page.
5. Next, you’ll need to select a restore point. Make sure to choose the restore point that is dated before the problem appeared.
6. Once you’ve selected a restore point, click the “Next” button and follow the prompts to complete the system restore.
7. Your computer will restart, and the Kernel Security Check Failure error shall disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the Kernel Security Check Failure error in Windows 10?
If you’re seeing the Kernel Security Check Failure blue screen error, Windows has detected a problem with a driver or critical system component. Windows will automatically restart when this happens to try and fix the problem. However, most of the time, it needs manual troubleshooting.
How to bypass the Kernel Security Check Failure error in Windows 10?
To bypass the Kernel Security Check Failure error in Windows 10, you can try the following solutions:
Update device drivers
Run memory diagnostic tool
Run check disk scan
Run SFC scan
Boot into Safe Mode
Perform a System Restore
For a detailed tutorial on these solutions, check out this guide.
Final Words
If you’re seeing the “Kernel Security Check Failure” blue screen error on your Windows 10 PC, don’t worry. You can usually fix it by restarting your PC or updating your drivers. However, if those solutions don’t work, you can try more advanced troubleshooting steps like restoring your PC to an earlier point. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below.
