Pink Screen of Death (PSoD) is a common problem for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. It occurs due to incorrectly installed Windows updates, overheating or faulty external devices. While most assume that a reboot will fix the problem, it doesn’t. We’ve compiled ways to fix the Pink Screen of Death.
A common cause of the pink screen of death is GPU and CPU overheating. This is mostly caused by clogged computer parts or damage. Fortunately, you can get rid of dust and debris by cleaning the elements or blowing air. You can also replace damaged parts, which may be the only way to fix the error. Alternatively, check for driver issues, loose peripherals, or overclocking.
Note: Some solutions only work when Windows is booted and you can access the desktop screen.
1. Update Required Graphics Card Drivers
If your system has outdated graphics drivers, it is possible that the system is overheating. Mostly in the case of old laptops. Therefore, you need to update the graphics drivers to fix the problem. Here’s how you can do that.
Stage 1: Press Windows + X keys and select Device manager.
Step 2: Double-click Display Adapter to display the graphics card list.
Stage 3: Find the desired graphics card and right-click on it. Next, select the update driver.
Step 4: Select ‘Search automatically for updated drivers’.
Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the process and restart your computer.
If your PC is running Windows 11, you do not need to update drivers via device manager. You can visit the windows update tab and use optional features for updates. Here’s how you can do that.
Stage 1: Open Settings by pressing Windows + I keys.
Step 2: Find the Windows Update section and click it.
Stage 3: In the next window, select Advanced options.
Step 4: Then tap Optional updates.
Step 5: Find the drivers that need to be updated and select Download and Install.
Confirm if your screen now boots normally. If not, you can try to remove recently added programs. Here’s how to do it.
Stage 1: Type Control panel in the Windows search bar and click open to access programs.
Step 2: Click on Programs and features
Stage 3: Find any recently installed program and right-click on it. Then press Uninstall.
Restart your computer and confirm if things are working normally.
2. Check GPU Temperature
Sometimes, the pink screen of death can be caused by overheating of the GPU chip, which disrupts computer operations.
Start by checking the GPU temperature range first. Here’s how to do it.
Stage 1: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
Step 2: On the top tabs, click Performance. Find the GPU option and monitor the temperatures.
If temperatures are outside the normal 65 to 85 °C (149 to 185 °F) range, consider ways to lower them. If possible, slow down on activities that affect GPU temperatures.
Alternatively, consider disabling overclocking. Here’s how to find and change overclock settings.
Stage 1: Click on the Windows start bar and select Setting.
Step 2: Tap Update & Security.
Stage 3: Go to the left pane and select Recovery.
Step 4: Click on Advanced setup option and select Restart now and check for problems.
Step 5: In the next window, select Troubleshoot.
Step 6: Click on the Advanced option and select UEFI Firmware Settings.
Step 7: Click Restart to open the BIOS.
Step 8: On the next screen, select Advanced options and find the Overclocking option. Open the profile and disable it if it is active.
3. Disconnect and Reconnect External Devices
Loose or damaged external peripherals can also cause the pink screen of death. Remove and reinstall components to fix problems with external devices.
Keep this in mind to rule out some problematic elements. It is best to reconnect peripherals one at a time. Also, be sure to look for alternatives to problematic devices.
4. Test Monitor and Graphics Card on Different PC
Monitor and graphics card issues can also cause the pink screen of death. It’s best to check for problematic hardware by testing monitors, cables, and graphics cards on a different device.
First, you can replace a new graphics card with an old one to see if the issue is resolved. Alternatively, connect a different monitor to your computer.
Also, consider replacing old and frayed cables. Make sure the cables are properly plugged into your computer as well.
5. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot will identify specific service issues on your computer. Here is how you can perform a clean boot on your computer.
Stage 1: Press Windows + R keys and type msconfig in the search bar.
Step 2: Find the General tab and under Selective startup check Load startup items.
Stage 3: Go to the Services tab and select Hide all Microsoft services.
Step 4: Select all other services and click Disable all. Tap Apply and then OK to make the changes.
Step 5: Return to the top of the page and select the Startup tab.
Step 6: Tap Open task manager.
Step 7: Click on items that start automatically and click Disable.
Restart your PC and this should clean up your system.
Fixing the Pink Screen
Updating your system or troubleshooting hardware may help resolve the pink screen of death. Other solutions are to revert to previous programs or clean boot your system. Also, consider deep cleaning your computer. Remember that opening your computer and cleaning sensitive parts should be done by or under the supervision of a certified professional.
