Alex Ruben
How To Resolve the “Page Fault in Nonpaged Area” Error on Windows 11
If Windows 11 suddenly throws up a blue screen with “Page Fault in Nonpaged Area,” it’s kind of annoying, right? Usually, it points toward issues with RAM, drivers, or corrupted system files. Sometimes, it’s a mixture of both, and figuring out which one isn’t always straightforward. This guide pulls together some of the common fixes — things that have worked on multiple setups — to help get the system stable again. No fancy tools needed, just patience and some commands.
Expect to run memory tests, scan your system files, update drivers, or mess around with virtual memory settings. Usually, it’s a matter of isolating the cause, so the fix is less trial and error. Keep in mind: sometimes, Windows acts weird, and what works on one machine might not on another — so, have a backup handy just in case. Let’s get into the fixes.
How to Fix the “Page Fault in Nonpaged Area” Error on Windows 11
Check Your RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic
Running a memory check is the most logical starting point since faulty RAM is a common culprit. This quick test can often flag hardware issues before diving into driver updates or system tweaks.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
mdsched.exeand hit Enter. - Choose Restart now and check for problems. Your PC will reboot into a built-in memory tester. It might take a few minutes.
If errors pop up, then it’s likely your RAM or memory modules are bad. You might need to replace them or reseat the sticks if you’re comfortable opening the case. Sometimes, just doing this clears up weird issues. On some setups, this test wont run perfectly on the first try, so if it’s inconclusive, rerun it after making hardware adjustments.
Run System File Checker to Fix Corrupted Files
Corrupted system files are another big reason Windows risks throwing BSODs. Running the System File Checker (SFC) can fix a lot of these issues, especially if Windows itself is kinda corrupted or mismatched.
- Open the Start menu, type Command Prompt.
- Right-click and select Run as administrator.
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. Sit back and wait; it might take a few minutes.
If the scan finds and repairs issues, reboot and see if the error still appears. If not, great. If it does, or if errors aren’t fixed, you might want to consider running DISM commands or repairing Windows with a fresh install, but those are more involved.
Update or Roll Back Drivers, Especially Graphics and Storage
Drivers are a notorious source of BSODs. Outdated or faulty drivers can cause unexpected memory access violations like this. To troubleshoot:
- Press Windows + X and pick Device Manager.
- Look for devices with yellow warning icons, especially under Display adapters, Slim drivers, or Storage controllers.
- Right-click on the suspect device, select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Or, if you recently updated it and the BSOD started afterward, try Roll Back Driver.
On some machines, a driver update helps resolve the issue, but on others, it might make things worse. So, if you’re on the fence, creating a restore point before updating is always a smart move.
Temporarily Disable or Uninstall Antivirus Software
It’s kind of weird, but third-party antivirus programs can sometimes interfere with system memory or driver stability, leading to BSODs. If the error started after installing or updating security software, consider disabling or uninstalling it temporarily. To do this:
- Open your antivirus software and find the disable or uninstall option.
- After disabling, restart the PC. If the error vanishes, the antivirus probably caused it.
In that case, switching to a different security program or adjusting settings might be necessary because, of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Adjust Virtual Memory (Paging File) Settings
This step sounds a bit old school, but resetting your virtual memory can sometimes clear memory issues that cause page faults. Here’s how:
- Open Control Panel (search for it in Start).
- Click on System and Security > System.
- Click on Advanced system settings on the left.
- Under the Advanced tab, click Settings in the Performance section.
- Switch to the Advanced tab, then click Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Select No paging file, click Set, then restart your PC.
- When back in the same settings, re-enable it with your preferred size or let Windows manage it automatically.
On some setups, this resets memory allocation quirks and stops the page fault errors from popping up again.
Perform a System Restore or Windows Reset if Nothing Works
If none of the above helped, it’s probably time for a bigger reset. You can roll back your system to a point where it was stable:
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
- Hit Reset this PC, and choose to keep your files if you like, then let Windows reinstall itself.
This is kind of a nuclear option, but sometimes, Windows just needs a fresh start, especially after a bad update or driver mess-up.
Extra Tips & Common Crashes
Here are some quick tips: make sure to back up before doing anything drastic. Keep your Windows 11 up to date (go to Settings > Windows Update) — sometimes, updates fix these problems. Also, check your hardware — stuff like RAM or SSD health — just to rule out physical failures.
Following these steps should cover most common causes of the “Page Fault in Nonpaged Area” error. If you find something that worked, sharing it helps more folks. If the error keeps sneaking back, hardware probably needs a check-up. Sometimes, this stuff just takes patience and a bit of trial and error. Fingers crossed, this gets you sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Page Fault in Nonpaged Area” actually mean?
This indicates Windows tried to access memory that should always be available, but somehow isn’t. Usually, hardware or driver issues are behind it.
Can I fix this without reinstalling Windows?
Most of the time, yeah. RAM tests, driver updates, and system file repairs do the trick. Reinstalling’s a last resort.
Why does this keep happening?
If it’s recurring, hardware is suspicious — most likely RAM or storage. Or corrupt system files which aren’t easy to fix without more drastic measures.