6 Best Ways to Fix Store Data Structure Corruption in Windows 10

BSOD or blue screen of death is one of the scariest errors on a Windows PC. However, it is more surprising that Windows throws the ‘Store Data Structure Corruption’ error code. Usually this data structure corruption error occurs during or after gaming sessions. We’ll show you how to fix it.

The Windows computer will restart as soon as feedback about the error is collected. All your open applications and windows will be closed and any unsaved work will be lost. This could be an isolated event where you once and never again encounter the ‘data structure corruption storage’ error. We recommend that you wait and watch to see if the error reappears on your computer screen. If so, we have some solutions.

Let’s start.

1. Diagnose Memory Issues

This can be a memory issue where a firmware or hardware device is not using memory properly and corrupting data in the process. Windows comes with a built-in tool to diagnose the problem.

Stage 1: Open Control Panel from the Start menu or press Windows key+X to open a shortcut menu to find it there.

Step 2: Search for Memory in the search bar and select ‘Diagnose your computer’s memory problems’.

Stage 3: In the following popup, you can run the test immediately or schedule it later when the system restarts.

Step 4: Search for Event Viewer in the start menu and open it.

Step 5: Windows saves the scan results in the ‘MemoryDiagnostics-Results’ file located in the System Log. This is useful for self-diagnosis and also for sharing with your IT person or PC related forums.

2. Run SFC and DISM Scan

We encountered the BSOD ‘data structure corruption’ error before and were able to fix it by running these commands.

Stage 1: Search for Command Prompt in the start menu and select Run as administrator to open it with administrator rights.

Step 2: Run the following commands one by one and in the order given. The first command is SFC or system file checker, which will find and repair corrupted system files.

sfc /scannow

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM.exe / Online / Cleanup-image / Scanhealth

DISM.exe / Online / Cleanup-image / Restorehealth

We recommend restarting your Windows computer once after running these commands. Hopefully this should resolve the error or you can move on to the next solution.

3. Virus Scan

There are three parts to this process, and we recommend going through each one. First, run an antivirus scanner. It could be a third-party antivirus of your choice or the default Microsoft Defender that comes preinstalled on all copies of Windows.

Next, we highly recommend getting Malwarebytes, and even the free version is pretty good. Remember that a virus is not the same as malware.

Finally, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner. You have to run it manually and you can use it for up to 10 days. After this trial period ends, download and run it again. We recommend always downloading the latest version before running.

Download Malwarebytes

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner

4. Drivers Error

You can download and install the latest version of the graphics driver for your Windows computer, whether desktop or laptop. If the ‘Store Data Structure Corruption’ error occurs during or after a gaming session.

Check out our guide on how to update, reinstall and roll back drivers. But what about other hardware devices connected to your computer that might be behind the error? Driver-specific tools are available that can automate the process.

5. Run the Troubleshooter

Another tool in Windows’ arsenal is the Troubleshooter, which can detect and fix many hardware-related errors. And the BSOD is part of the package. Doesn’t work on Windows Home edition.

Stage 1: Press Windows key+I to open Settings and search for Find and fix blue screen problems.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions in the pop-up window below.

6. Overclocking

Overclocking can cause all sorts of problems, and BSOD errors like the ones you’ve encountered are just one of them. Stop doing this as it can also lead to permanent hardware failure.

Sudden death

Extreme cases such as complete hardware failure can also be a factor. For example, you may need a new RAM stick because the old one has failed. Such events are rare and usually not a cause for concern on new computers. There are also ways to easily test the hardware.

BSOD errors pop up all of a sudden and you don’t even have an opportunity to save work. It is scary and annoying and leaves little choice for end users. Sometimes, users don’t even have an error code. And the QR codes you noticed on the BSOD screen don’t help. Oftentimes, they lead to a generic link that doesn’t help.

Next: Have you accidentally deleted or lost your Steam games due to a bug and want them back? Click on the link below to learn how to quickly restore deleted Steam games.