Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (0x00000050) BSOD Error: Comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide

Table of Contents

• Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen¶
• How do I fix Page Faults?¶

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA stop error, often accompanied by the bug check value 0x00000050, is a critical Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error in Windows. This error typically arises when your computer is under significant load, but it signals a deeper issue related to system memory management. It indicates that the system attempted to access data in memory that was expected to be present but was not found. This missing data was located in a nonpaged area of memory, which is supposed to be constantly available and not swapped out to the hard disk.

This situation can occur for several reasons, most commonly due to faulty hardware, particularly RAM, but also due to software problems like buggy system services, incompatible drivers, antivirus software conflicts, or corruption within the NTFS file system. Understanding the potential causes is the first step in effectively troubleshooting and resolving this frustrating BSOD error. It’s important to address this error promptly to prevent data loss and system instability.

Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen¶

The core issue behind the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error is that the system requests data that it expects to be in memory, specifically in a nonpaged area, but cannot locate it there. When the system encounters this situation, it generates a “page fault.” Normally, a page fault triggers the system to look for the missing data in the paging file on the hard drive. However, in this specific error, the data is expected to be in a nonpaged area – memory that should not be paged out to disk. Because the data is missing from where it should be and cannot be retrieved from the paging file, the system is unable to recover, leading to the BSOD.

Several factors can contribute to this problem. Hardware malfunctions, such as failing RAM modules, are frequent culprits. Software issues, including malfunctioning system services or incompatible device drivers, can also corrupt memory management and trigger this error. Even antivirus software, while intended to protect your system, can sometimes interfere with normal operations and cause BSODs. Lastly, a corrupted NTFS volume, the file system Windows uses to organize and store files, can also lead to memory access errors and trigger the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA BSOD.

Before proceeding with more complex troubleshooting, consider recent changes to your system. If you recently installed new hardware, try removing it to see if the error disappears. Similarly, if you recently updated a device driver, attempt to rollback to the previous driver version or uninstall the update. These simple initial checks can quickly identify and resolve issues related to recent system modifications. If these quick checks do not resolve the problem, proceed with the more detailed troubleshooting steps outlined below.

1. Test Your Memory¶

Faulty RAM is a primary cause of the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. Running a memory diagnostic test is crucial to identify if your RAM is functioning correctly. Windows includes a built-in tool called the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to perform this check.

To launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool:

1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
3. The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool window will appear, presenting two options:
   • Restart now and check for problems (Recommended): This option immediately restarts your computer and begins the memory test.
   • Check for problems the next time I start my computer: This option schedules the memory test to run the next time you restart your computer.

Choose the “Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)” option for immediate testing. Your computer will restart and the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool will run automatically before Windows fully loads. The tool will perform various memory tests to identify potential problems. This process may take some time to complete.

Once the test is finished, the computer will reboot back into Windows. The test results are usually displayed automatically after you log back in. If errors are detected, it indicates that your RAM may be faulty and needs to be replaced. If no errors are found, it suggests that RAM is likely not the cause of the BSOD, and you should proceed to the next troubleshooting steps. Even if no errors are initially reported, consider running the memory diagnostic test again, perhaps in an extended mode if available, to ensure thorough testing.

2. Run System File Checker (SFC)¶

Corrupted or damaged Windows system files can also contribute to various system errors, including BSODs like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. Running SFC is a valuable step in troubleshooting this error.

To run the System File Checker:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. To do this, type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. You may be prompted to confirm administrative privileges; click Yes.
2. In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.

The sfc /scannow command initiates a scan of all protected system files. SFC will identify any corrupted or missing system files and attempt to repair them by replacing them with cached copies. The scan and repair process can take a considerable amount of time, depending on the state of your system and the speed of your storage. Do not interrupt the process; let it run until it completes.

Once the SFC scan is finished, you will see one of the following messages:

• “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.”: This message indicates that SFC did not find any corrupted system files. While this is good news in terms of system file integrity, it means the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error is likely caused by something else.
• “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.”: This message is positive, indicating that SFC found and successfully repaired corrupted system files. Restart your computer and check if the BSOD error is resolved.
• “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.”: This message means SFC found corrupt files but could not repair all of them. In this case, you can try running the SFC command again after restarting your computer. If the issue persists, you may need to use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to repair the Windows image before running SFC again.

Running SFC is a fundamental troubleshooting step for system stability issues. Even if it doesn’t directly resolve the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error, it ensures the integrity of your core system files, which is crucial for overall system health.

3. Disable Automatic Paging File Size Management and Adjust Paging File Size¶

The paging file, also known as virtual memory, is a space on your hard drive that Windows uses as if it were RAM. Managing the paging file size incorrectly can sometimes contribute to memory-related errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. Disabling automatic paging file size management and manually setting a suitable size can sometimes resolve this issue.

To adjust the paging file settings:

1. Right-click on This PC (or My Computer) icon on your desktop or in File Explorer.
2. Select Properties from the context menu.
3. In the System window, click on Advanced system settings in the left sidebar.
4. In the System Properties window, go to the Advanced tab.
5. Under the Performance section, click on the Settings button.
6. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab again.
7. Under the Virtual memory section, click on the Change button.
8. In the Virtual Memory window, uncheck the box next to Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.

After disabling automatic management, you can manually configure the paging file size. It’s generally recommended to set a custom size that is at least 1.5 times your physical RAM and up to 3 times your RAM for the maximum size, especially if you frequently run memory-intensive applications. However, for troubleshooting the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error, a simpler approach is often effective:

1. Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:).
2. Choose the Custom size option.
3. Initially, try setting both Initial size (MB) and Maximum size (MB) to a value that is double the amount of RAM your system has. For example, if you have 8GB of RAM (8192MB), set both values to around 16384MB. You can adjust these values later based on your system’s performance and memory usage.
4. Click the Set button after entering the values.
5. Click OK in the Virtual Memory window.
6. Click OK in the Performance Options window.
7. Click OK in the System Properties window.
8. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

By manually setting the paging file size, you provide a fixed amount of virtual memory that Windows can use. This can help stabilize memory management and potentially resolve the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error if it’s related to dynamic paging file adjustments. If this adjustment doesn’t resolve the issue, you can revert back to automatic paging file management later.

4. Update Your Device Drivers¶

Incompatible, outdated, or corrupted device drivers are a common source of various Windows errors, including BSODs. Drivers are essential software components that allow your operating system to communicate with hardware devices. Faulty drivers, especially those related to graphics cards, network adapters, storage controllers, or other critical hardware, can lead to memory access problems and trigger the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. Updating your device drivers to the latest compatible versions is a crucial troubleshooting step.

To update device drivers:

1. Open Device Manager. Type device manager in the Windows search bar and select Device Manager from the results.
2. In Device Manager, expand each category to view the installed devices. Pay particular attention to categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, Storage controllers, and Sound, video and game controllers, as drivers in these categories are often implicated in BSOD errors.
3. For each device you want to update, right-click on the device and select Update driver.
4. In the “Update Drivers” window, you have two options:
   • Search automatically for drivers: Windows will search your computer and the internet for updated drivers. Select this option first. If Windows finds an update, it will download and install it automatically.
   • Browse my computer for drivers: If Windows doesn’t find a driver update automatically, or if you have downloaded drivers from the manufacturer’s website, select this option. You will need to locate the driver files on your computer and follow the on-screen instructions to install them.

It’s generally recommended to first try Search automatically for drivers. However, for critical drivers, especially for your graphics card and motherboard chipset, it’s often best to manually download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, motherboard manufacturer’s website). Ensure you download drivers that are compatible with your version of Windows.

After updating drivers, especially graphics drivers, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect. Check if updating drivers resolves the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. If the error persists, or if you recently updated a driver and the error started occurring afterwards, consider rolling back to the previous driver version. To rollback a driver, in Device Manager, right-click on the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click on Roll Back Driver (if the option is available).

5. System Restore¶

System Restore is a Windows feature that allows you to revert your computer’s system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings to a previous point in time, known as a restore point. If the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error started occurring recently, and you suspect it might be due to a recent software change or system configuration, using System Restore to revert to a previous stable state can be an effective solution.

To use System Restore:

1. Type restore point in the Windows search bar and select Create a restore point from the results.
2. In the System Properties window, under the System Protection tab, click on the System Restore button.
3. In the System Restore window, click Next.
4. You will see a list of available restore points. Choose a restore point that was created before the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error started occurring. If you are unsure, select the most recent restore point. You can check the date and time of each restore point.
5. Optionally, you can click on Scan for affected programs to see which programs and drivers will be affected by restoring to the selected restore point. This can help you understand what changes will be reverted.
6. Click Next.
7. Confirm your restore point selection and click Finish to start the system restore process.

System Restore will restart your computer and begin the restoration process. This process can take some time, and your computer may restart multiple times. Do not interrupt the process. Once System Restore is complete, your computer will boot back into Windows. You will see a message indicating whether System Restore was successful or not.

If System Restore is successful and reverts your system to a point before the error started, check if the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA BSOD is resolved. If it is, it indicates that the error was likely caused by a software or system configuration change that has now been reverted. If System Restore does not resolve the issue, or if you don’t have any suitable restore points, proceed with other troubleshooting steps.

6. Disable Your Antivirus Applications¶

While antivirus software is essential for protecting your system from malware, it can sometimes conflict with other software or system components and, in rare cases, contribute to BSOD errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. Temporarily disabling your antivirus software can help determine if it’s playing a role in causing the error.

If you are using third-party antivirus software (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc.):

1. Locate the antivirus icon in the system tray (usually in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar).
2. Right-click on the antivirus icon.
3. Look for an option to Disable protection, Turn off, or similar. The exact wording varies depending on the antivirus software.
4. Select the option to disable protection. You may be asked to specify how long you want to disable protection for; choose a reasonable duration, such as 15-30 minutes, for testing purposes.
5. Confirm the disabling action if prompted.

If you are using Windows Defender Antivirus (which is built into Windows):

1. Type Windows Security in the Windows search bar and select Windows Security from the results.
2. In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection.
3. Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” click on Manage settings.
4. Toggle the Real-time protection switch to Off.
5. Confirm the disabling action if prompted.

After disabling your antivirus software, use your computer normally for a while, especially performing tasks that previously triggered the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. If the BSOD does not occur with the antivirus disabled, it suggests that the antivirus software might be the cause of the problem.

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If disabling the antivirus resolves the issue, you have a few options:

• Keep the antivirus disabled (not recommended for long-term security): This is not a recommended long-term solution as it leaves your system vulnerable to threats.
• Uninstall and reinstall your antivirus software: Sometimes, a fresh installation of the antivirus software can resolve conflicts.
• Switch to a different antivirus software: If the issue persists with your current antivirus, consider trying a different antivirus program to see if it’s more compatible with your system.
• Contact the antivirus software vendor’s support: They may be aware of compatibility issues or have specific settings adjustments to prevent conflicts.

Remember to re-enable your antivirus protection after testing, or if you decide to keep it disabled temporarily, ensure you take other precautions to protect your system from malware.

7. Check the Disk for Errors¶

A corrupted NTFS volume, which is the file system used by Windows to organize and store files on your hard drive, can also lead to memory access errors and trigger the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA BSOD. Running the chkdsk (Check Disk) utility to scan for and repair disk errors is an important troubleshooting step.

To run Check Disk:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the command chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.

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

You will be prompted with a message asking if you want to schedule the disk check to run the next time the system restarts. Type Y for Yes and press Enter. This is necessary because chkdsk needs exclusive access to the disk to perform a thorough check and repair, which is usually only possible before Windows fully loads.

Restart your computer. During the startup process, chkdsk will run automatically before Windows boots up. The disk check process can take a significant amount of time, especially for large drives or drives with many errors. Do not interrupt the process; let it run until it completes.

Once chkdsk is finished, your computer will boot into Windows. Check if running Check Disk has resolved the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. If disk errors were found and repaired, this might have been the cause of the BSOD. If the error persists, proceed with other troubleshooting steps.

8. Disable Memory Caching in BIOS¶

In some rare cases, memory caching settings in your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI firmware can contribute to memory-related errors. Disabling memory caching in BIOS is an advanced troubleshooting step that should be attempted with caution. Incorrect BIOS settings can potentially lead to system instability.

Accessing the BIOS settings varies depending on your computer’s manufacturer and motherboard. Typically, you need to press a specific key (e.g., Delete, F2, F12, Esc) during the computer’s startup process, immediately after powering it on and before Windows begins to load. The specific key is usually displayed briefly on the screen during startup or is mentioned in your motherboard manual.

Once you are in the BIOS setup utility, navigate through the menus to find memory-related settings. Look for options related to “Memory Caching,” “Internal Cache,” “External Cache,” or similar terms. The exact names and locations of these settings vary depending on your BIOS.

If you find memory caching settings, try disabling them. The setting might be labeled as “Enabled” or “Disabled.” If it’s enabled, change it to “Disabled.” After making changes in BIOS, save the settings and exit the BIOS setup utility. The option to save and exit is usually found in the main BIOS menu or under an “Exit” or “Save & Exit” option.

Your computer will restart. Check if disabling memory caching in BIOS resolves the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. If it does, it suggests that the BIOS memory caching settings were contributing to the problem. However, disabling memory caching can potentially impact system performance, so it’s generally not a recommended long-term solution unless it’s absolutely necessary to resolve the BSOD.

If disabling memory caching in BIOS does not resolve the error, or if you are uncomfortable making changes in BIOS, you can re-enable memory caching by re-entering the BIOS setup and reverting the setting back to its original “Enabled” state.

9. Run the Online Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter¶

Microsoft provides an online Blue Screen Troubleshooter that can help guide you through common BSOD troubleshooting steps. While it may not directly fix the error, it can provide helpful links and suggestions based on the type of BSOD you are experiencing.

To use the online Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter:

1. Open a web browser and search for “Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter Microsoft” or go directly to the Microsoft support website and search for “Blue Screen Troubleshooter”.
2. Locate the official Microsoft troubleshooter for Blue Screen errors.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the troubleshooter. It will likely ask you questions about the BSOD error, such as the error code (0x00000050 for PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA), when the error occurs, and what troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
4. Based on your answers, the troubleshooter will provide suggestions and links to relevant Microsoft support articles or tools that can help you diagnose and fix the issue.

The online troubleshooter is primarily designed to assist novice users in understanding and addressing BSOD errors. It may reiterate some of the troubleshooting steps already mentioned in this guide, such as checking for driver updates, running memory diagnostics, and using System Restore. However, it can also provide additional context and links to more in-depth information from Microsoft.

How do I fix Page Faults?¶

Fixing page faults, specifically in a nonpaged area, generally involves a systematic approach to identify and eliminate potential causes. The key steps include:

1. Restart your computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be causing page faults.
2. Run a memory check: Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to test your RAM for errors. Faulty RAM is a primary cause of page faults.
3. Update Windows and drivers: Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date with the latest patches and updates. Update your device drivers, especially for memory controllers, disk controllers, and graphics cards.
4. Run a disk check: Use the chkdsk /f /r command to scan your hard drive for errors and repair them.
5. Disable antivirus software temporarily: See if disabling your antivirus software resolves the issue, to rule out antivirus conflicts.
6. System Restore: If the error started recently, revert your system to a previous stable state using System Restore.
7. Remove new hardware or software: If the error started after installing new hardware or software, try removing them to see if they are the cause.

By systematically following these troubleshooting steps, you can effectively diagnose and resolve most PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA errors. Remember to test after each step to see if the issue is resolved before moving on to the next.

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