A driver has overrun a stack-based buffer? Don’t worry, as you can fix this issue in no time by using the fixes in this article.
Stack-based buffer overflow Blue Screen of Death errors, such as Driver Overran Stack Buffer, are common. Though this error is frightening, like all other BSOD errors, it is easily fixed with some effective solutions.
In this article, we are going to acquaint you with these tried and tested ways to fix the Windows 10 error Driver Overran Stack Buffer. However, let us first shed some light on what this error means and its causes so you can troubleshoot better.
What Is Driver Overran Stack Buffer
With a 0x000000F7 bug check value, this BSOD error shows that a driver has overrun a stack-based buffer, i.e., the data it writes to a buffer on the stack is more than the data assigned to the buffer.
For example, if the driver sends a 64-bit value when the parameter is 32-bit, it is said to have overran the buffer, leading to unexpected system shutdown, crashes, or other issues. Many factors can be responsible for this error. Let us look at the top ones in the following section.
Windows 10/Windows 11 Driver Overran Stack Buffer Causes
The following factors may have caused the issue you are experiencing.
- Your operating system may be outdated
- The drivers on your computer are out-of-date
- The system files have become corrupted
- There may be issues with the hard drive
- Fast Startup is enabled on your computer
Now that you have enough knowledge about the DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK BSOD error, let us discuss its fixes.
Fixes for Driver Overran Stack Buffer Error
You can apply the following solutions to get rid of the Blue Screen of Death issue you are trying to fix.
Fix 1: Boot your computer in Safe Mode
The Safe Mode boots your PC with only the required drivers and files, and it is among the simplest ways to resolve the Windows 10 error Driver Overran Stack Buffer. Hence, you can follow the below steps to boot your device in Safe Mode.
- First, hold the power button for at least ten seconds to turn off the computer.
- Next, press the power button after the computer turns off.
- In this step, hold the power button for ten seconds when the computer is starting.
- Press the power button to start your computer.
- When the computer starts, press the power button for ten seconds to turn off the PC.
- You can now press the power button to restart the computer.
- Now, select Troubleshoot when asked to choose an option.
- Next, choose Advanced Options from the on-screen menu.
- In this step, select Startup Settings from the Advanced Options menu.
- Click Restart to get your computer restarted.
- Lastly, use the arrow keys to choose option 5 from the on-screen options, or press F5 on your keyboard to enter the Safe Mode with networking.
Also know: How to Enable Hyper-V on Windows 11
Fix 2: Run the built-in Windows troubleshooting tool
Windows boasts troubleshooting mechanisms for common issues, such as BSOD errors. You can run this tool before trying other solutions to check if it solves the problem. Here is how to perform this action.
- The first step is to use the Win+I hotkey to open settings.
- Next, select Update & Security from the settings menu.
- In this step, choose Troubleshoot from the left section of the update & security window.
- You can now find and click on the Blue Screen option in the right pane of the Troubleshoot window.
- Next, click Run the troubleshooter button to start the device scan.
- Lastly, follow the on-screen instructions to solve the detected problems.
Fix 3: Update your operating system
Outdated Windows may become buggy. It is recommended to keep it updated to fix issues like the one we are currently solving. Hence, you can take the following steps to update Windows.
- First, launch settings using the Win+I hotkey.
- Next, choose Update & Security from the available menu.
- In this step, select Windows Update from the left pane of the Update & Security window.
- You can now click Check for updates to find the updates available for your system.
- Next, download and install the latest available updates.
- Lastly, reboot your computer to save the changes.
Fix 4: Turn off Fast Startup
Fast Startup saves time by helping you start the computer quickly after shutting down. However, this feature also disturbs the device’s normal operation, resulting in Driver Overran Stack Buffer error and other issues. Hence, here is how to disable the Fast Startup.
- In the first step, you are required to open the Control Panel. You can access the Control Panel through the Windows search function.
- After opening the Control Panel, choose System and Security from the available menu.
- Next, navigate to the Power Option and choose what the power buttons do.
- In this step, select the option to Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Lastly, uncheck the Turn on fast startup (recommended) box and click on the Save Changes button.
Fix 5: Update installed drivers
A driver is software that helps your computer system to communicate with the attached peripheral. Without an up-to-date driver, this communication breaks, leading to BSOD errors and other problems. Hence, performing a driver update is one of the most recommended solutions to your problem.
You can update drivers hassle-free using one of the best automatic driver update tools, such as Win Riser. The Win Riser program updates drivers automatically with a single click, creates and restores driver backups whenever required, eliminates malware, cleans junk, lets you schedule device scans, removes invalid registry entries, and manages startup items to optimize computer performance. You can download and experience this software from the following link.
After performing software installation (it only takes a few seconds), you can follow these simple directions to use this incredible program.
- First, let Win Riser perform an automatic scan on your computer to detect all issues.
- Next, review the results that appear on your screen.
- Click Fix Issues Now to solve all problems automatically.
- Lastly, reboot the computer to save the changes.
Fix 6: Scan your device for corrupted system files
Certain files are crucial for the system to function properly. If these files become corrupted, you may experience issues like the Windows 11/Windows 10 Driver Overran Stack Buffer error. Thus, here are the steps you can take to fix the system file problems.
- First, search and open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
- Next, input the sfc /scannow command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
- Restart your computer after the above process is complete.
- Check if the error vanished or not. If the error persists, run the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command in the administrator Command Prompt and restart the computer.
Fix 7: Perform a hard drive check
A corrupted hard drive is also a major factor that contributes to many computer problems, including the one you are attempting to solve. Hence, here are the directions you can follow to check and fix hard drive issues.
- First, restart the computer while pressing Shift on your keyboard to access Advanced Startup.
- Next, select Troubleshoot from the Advanced Startup menu.
- In this step, choose Advanced Options from the Troubleshoot menu.
- Next, select Command Prompt from the Advanced Options.
- The Command Prompt window will appear on your screen. Input the following commands one after the other in the Command Prompt. Remember to press Enter after each command.
exe /rebuildbcd
exe /fixmbr
exe /fixboot
- After executing the above commands, input chkdsk /r *: (here, * is the drive letter of the partition for which you wish to perform a system check) and press your keyboard’s Enter key. Run this command for all partitions and restart the computer.
Also know: How to Fix Damaged RAR Files
Windows 11/Windows 10 Driver Overran Stack Buffer Error Fixed
This article guided you through the fixes for the Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD issue on Windows 10/11. Hopefully, you are able to solve the error using one of the above solutions. However, if the problem persists or you have doubts/suggestions about this article, kindly leave a comment for us.
Encountering BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors on Windows 10 is not a huge surprise and is pretty common nowadays. Have you ever come across the “Driver overran stack buffer” BSOD error on Windows? Well, a majority of users have reported that this error strikes on your device at the time of start-up, leaving you no choice to take any further action to resolve it. When this error occurs on your device, your system crashes and you won’t be able to use your PC at all. Some users have also reported that their PC keeps shutting down and restarts after this error is encountered on your device.
Sounds frightening, isn’t it? Well, don’t worry! In this post, we have covered a few solutions that will allow you to fix the “Driver overran stack buffer” issue on Windows 10 devices.
What Causes this Error?
Some of the most common reasons why you may have experienced this Blue Screen Error on Windows 10 include:
- Corrupt system files.
- Outdated Windows OS.
- Incompatible external hardware.
- An overclock PC.
- Corrupt or outdated system drivers.
- Presence of virus or malware.
How to Fix the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” Blue Screen Error on Windows 10?
Solution 1: Check for Updates
First things first, as they say. If you’re operating on an outdated Windows version, make sure that you instantly check for updates and install the latest Windows software update on your device. To check for updates, follow these quick steps:
Tap the Windows icon placed on the taskbar, select the gear-shaped icon to open Windows settings.
In the Settings, tap on the “Update and Security” option.
Hit the “Check for updates” button so that Windows automatically searches and checks if any updates are available for your device.
If any update is available, install the latest version of Windows right away to upgrade your OS. If Windows is unable to check for updates, visit this link.
Upgrading your OS is one of the best bets that you can perform for fixing common errors and bugs on Windows machines. It not only enhances the performance of your device but makes your system more secure against vulnerabilities.
Also read: Fix: Windows Update Cannot Currently Check For Updates
Solution 2: Update Drivers
As we listed in our above section, the “Driver overran stack buffer” error can also be caused due to outdated or corrupt system drivers. Hence, we need to make sure that our Windows device is installed with the latest drivers. To update drivers on Windows 10, here’s what you need to do.
Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box.
In the Run box, type “devmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to fire up Windows Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, look for a yellow-colored exclamatory icon if you find any outdated or corrupt device driver. If you find any such drivers, right-click on the respective device name, select the “Update Driver” option.
Follow the on-screen instructions and let Windows fetch the latest driver updates from the web. You need to repeat the above-mentioned set of steps for updating all outdated and corrupt system device drivers.
Also read: 9 Best Driver Updater Software For Windows 10, 8, 7 PC
Download a Driver Updater Software
Sounds tedious, eh? Well, if you want to save yourself from the hassle of manually updating every device driver, you can pick a smart option to get the job done. Download Smart Driver Care utility tool that automatically scans your device for outdated or corrupt drivers and software, and fetches their latest update. Smart Driver Care allows you to update all outdated drivers in just one click!
Solution 3: Run Windows Troubleshooter
Windows 10 comes packed with tons of utility features that you can put to best use whenever needed. We’re sure you must’ve heard of the Windows BSOD Troubleshooter that scans and fixes your device against Blue Screen of Death errors. To use the Windows Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
Open Windows 10 Settings, select “Update and Security”.
Switch to the “Troubleshoot” option on the left menu pane.
On the right side, select “Blue Screen” as we’re dealing with a common Blue Screen of Death error in this post. Tap on the “Run the Troubleshooter” option placed underneath.
Follow the on-screen instructions to run the Windows Troubleshooter on your device. Reboot your machine to check if you’re still encountering the “Driver overran stack buffer” error on your PC.
Also read: How Can I Fix Fatal System Errors On Windows 10?
Solution 4: Run an SFC Scan
SFC (System File Checker) is another Windows utility that scans and fixes system errors and resolves discrepancies. To run an SFC scan, here’s what you need to do.
In the Start menu search box, type “Command Prompt”, right-click on it, and select the “Run as Administrator” option.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it.
sfc/scannow
Wait for a few minutes until a complete scan is performed on your device to find and fix corrupt file system errors.
Also read: SFC Scan Stops Working on Windows 10? Here’s the Fix!
Solution 5: Install an Antivirus Software
Tried all the above-mentioned solutions and still no luck? This strongly indicates that your device is infected with a virus, malware, or any malicious threat. So, what next?
Is your device installed with any antivirus software? When was the last time you checked your PC for viruses or malware infections? In case, your Windows device is not installed with a comprehensive antivirus solution, now is the time.
Download Systweak Antivirus for Windows, one of the best antivirus software that offers real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware attacks, spyware, trojans, and other malicious threats. It acts as a guard between your device and potential threats to keep your device away from any threats and vulnerabilities while improving its overall performance and health. Systweak Antivirus comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee and is compatible with all versions of Windows.
Here were a few solutions that will allow you to resolve the “Driver overran stack buffer” issue on Windows 10. Do let us know which solution worked out the best for you!
Let’s understand what causing DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER blue screen on Windows 10 And the solutions probably help fix the blue screen error.
Getting Windows 10 BSOD and the error says “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” your computer crashes and stops working. The blue screen error DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER bug check value 0x000000F7 indicates that a driver has overrun a stack-based buffer. The reasons for this blue screen error are various. Commonly, it is caused by problematic applications or outdated drivers. You might also receive the error for other factors, such as overclocking your PC, corrupted system files, etc. Well, whatever the reason, here we have various solutions apply to fix driver overran stack buffer BSOD on windows 10.
Quick Links
- 1 Driver Overran Stack Buffer Windows 10
- 1.1 Install the latest Windows updates
- 1.2 Turn Off Fast Startup Feature
- 1.3 Keep Installed Drivers Updated
- 1.4 Check disk drive errors
- 1.5 Run System file checker utility
- 1.6 Run memory Diagnostic Tool
Driver Overran Stack Buffer Windows 10
Windows 10 Blue screen errors are generally caused by the poorly written device drivers or hardware issues on your computer, such as faulty memory, components overheating, power supply issues, hardware running beyond its specification limits and etc.
Lets first disconnect all external devices include printer, scanner, external HDD and see if windows perform normally.
Sometimes performing A power reset (or hard restart) clears all information from the computer’s memory without erasing any personal data. And Performing a power reset might fix various problems with windows 10 include this blue screen error.
- Again disconnect all devices include power code and VGA cable,
- If you are a laptop user, disconnect the power source, and remove the battery,
- Now press and hold the power button for 30 sec
- Let’s connect everything and start Windows check if this helps.
Pro Tip: If you are getting frequent blue screen error, Boot Into safe mode with networking and apply solutions below.
Install the latest Windows updates
Microsoft regularly pushes security updates with bug various bugs fixes and improvements. And many of these updates address hardware and software conflict or compatibility issues, that might cause Windows BSOD error. Also, they fix certain security flaws, therefore if you want your PC to be safe and free from errors its highly recommended that you use Windows Update and download the latest updates.
- Go to settings using the keyboard shortcut Windows + I,
- Click update & security than Windows update on the left-hand side,
- Now click Check for updates button to allow windows updates download and install from Microsoft server,
- Once done restart your PC to apply the update and check if the BSOD was gone.
Turn Off Fast Startup Feature
Windows 10 added Fast startup Feature, (Hybrid Shutdown feature) to reduce the startup up time, make windows start very fast. But this Feature has some Disadvantages which cause different problems on Windows 10, And a number of windows users report after disable the Windows 10 Fast startup feature Driver overran stack buffer BSOD Error fixed for them.
To disable Fast Startup Feature Windows 10
- Open control panel
- Here search for and select Power Option
- Now Choose what the power buttons do
- Then click on Change Settings that are currently unavailable.
- And here Uncheck Turn off fast startup (recommended).
- Save Settings and restart your PC.
- Now, See if it really resolves Driver overran stack buffer blue screen error.
Keep Installed Drivers Updated
Drivers are the key part of the operating system If a certain driver is outdated or corrupted, that can cause different problems include DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER BSOD.
To check if the error is caused by a faulty drive, run an automatic driver update or manually update the drivers to the latest available versions. Install the latest drivers for any newly installed hardware device. If no new hardware has been installed, make sure you have the latest drivers for the below devices.
- Video card
- Network card or router (if present)
- Any removable or external disk drive
To manually update device driver on Windows 10
- Right click on Start menu and select device manager,
- This will open Device manager here you see all installed driver list.
- You just have to find the device which is yellow marked.
Right-click on the device and select update driver software and follow the instruction to get driver updates. If you didn’t find any update for the driver you can uninstall from here. Download the best driver for the specific device from the manufacturer’s website and install it. Repeat these steps for all drivers that you want to update.
Check disk drive errors
You may get a driver overran stack buffer error due to corruption issues on your hard drive. Run the Check Disk Utility that can test integrity and fix errors on your hard drive, and can, therefore, help you get rid of the error.
To run chkdsk utility on Windows 10
- Click on the Start menu (Windows logo) at the bottom left of your screen, then type “cmd“. When you see “Command Prompt” in the menu above, right-click it and then choose “Run as Administrator“.
- In the command box, type “chkdsk /r /f” and press enter key on the keyboard.
- When you are asked if the next time you run the check to restart the system, press Y and then enter.
- Close the command prompt and restart your computer. The system will run the check the next time the computer is restarted.
Run System file checker utility
Again corrupted, missing system files also cause Different problems include this driver overran stack buffer on windows 10. Run the build-in system file checker utility that automatically detects and restores missing corrupted system files with the correct one.
To Run SFC utility on Windows 10
- Open the command prompt as administrator,
- Type Command sfc /scannow and hit the enter key to execute the command.
- This will start the diagnose process for, corrupted and missing system files. If the utility finds out the protected files are overwritten by incorrect files, this will extract the correct system file from the system file backup (namely dllcache) and replace the incorrect file.
Wait until Windows scans and repairs system files. When the System file check and repair is completed, restart your computer and check if your computer works smoothly.
Pro tips: If SFC Scan results windows resource protection found corrupt files but unable to repair them. That causes you need to run the DISM command which repairs the system image and allows SFC utility to do its job.
Run memory Diagnostic Tool
Your hardware can often cause these types of errors. If you installed any new hardware recently we advise you to remove or replace it and check if that fixes the error. If your hardware is not compatible with your motherboard, your system will crash and you’ll get a BSOD error.
Also, a faulty Memory Module can sometimes cause Blue Screen Errors. We recommend Run windows memory diagnostic Tool To check Memory errors.
- Press Windows + R, keyboard shortcut then type mdsched.exe and hit the enter key
- This will open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
- Here you will see two options to run the Tool.
- Save your work and click on first option Restart now and check for problems.
- This will restart windows and check for memory Module Errors.
- Wait until 100% complete the process then after Restart windows.
- You can find memory Diagnostic Test Results from here.
If all the above methods fail to fix the problem this it’s time to utilize the Windows system restore feature, that Reverts back your system to a previous working state. Did these solutions help fix Windows 10 driver overran stack buffer blue screen error? Lets us know on comments below.
One can’t deny how frustrating it is to encounter a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) on a Windows system. The BSoD may lead your system from malfunctioning to frequently crashing, making your device and data stored on it inaccessible. One such problematic error is Driver Overran Stack Buffer. This bug code may appear on your device at any time. For example, you could be watching YouTube videos, playing games, or installing Windows updates, and out of nowhere, you see this stop code with a blue screen on your system. Hence, fixing it becomes quite necessary. But before that, let’s first understand what this error means.
What does Driver Overran Stack Buffer mean?
Driver_Overran_Stack_Buffer error contains a bug check value of 0x000000F7, which points out that a driver has overrun a stack-based buffer. It is a classic ‘buffer overrun’ attack. Due to this, the system may go down or become inaccessible to prevent malicious users from gaining complete control over it.
Corrupted or faulty drivers and hardware are the primary culprits for this BSoD error. However, other reasons that may also contribute are damaged or missing system files, third-party buggy software, incomplete or pending Windows update, etc. While there could be multiple reasons, we’ve enlisted the best possible fixes below to fix stop code Driver Overran Stack Buffer.
Boot PC in Safe Mode
Before performing the fixes below, we recommend you boot your PC in Safe Mode. The Safe Mode will help you boot the system in a basic state, with minimum required files and drivers. It will further let you observe and narrow down the source of the problem and help you solve the issue.
Run BSoD Troubleshooter
Windows features a troubleshooting utility that helps you combat multiple issues with your system. BSoD troubleshooter is one such built-in tool that you can use to fix the blue screen Driver Overran Stack Buffer. To run BSoD Troubleshooter, follow the given steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings and follow Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Run troubleshooters automatically, then notify me.
- The error-fixing method will start. So keep reviewing the process and follow the further instructions given on the screen (if any).
- Once the process is done, close the window and reboot your system. Next, check if the system is free from this blue screen Driver Overran Stack Buffer.
Install Necessary Windows Updates
As Microsoft keeps releasing the required patches and updates, installing and updating your system from time to time is recommended to ensure smooth and secure system operation. However, if the important updates are missing from your system, it may not function as it should and even run into different errors, such as slow performance, malfunctioning, or BSoDs. Hence, check if your system is up-to-date with all the Windows Updates. To do so, follow the given steps:
- Open Settings and follow Update & Security > Windows Update > Install now.
Let your system install the updates, and then reboot your device. Once rebooted, check if the stop code Driver Overran Stack Buffer persists.
Ensure that your device has the latest Device Drivers Installed
Drivers usually remain the major cause behind blue screen errors. If outdated, incompatible, or corrupt graphic drivers are installed on the system, you may encounter Driver Overran Stack Buffer on Windows 10 or 11 systems. Hence, make sure that your device has the latest compatible drivers installed. To do so, follow the given instructions:
- Open Device Manager from Start and go to the device category for which you want to check the driver. For example, in the below image, we’re checking for Display adapters.
- Right-click on the driver and choose the Update driver option from the available ones.
- When you click on the Update driver option, it will show you further options. Select Search automatically for drivers.
Your Windows will look for the latest driver software compatible with your system. If your device already has the latest driver available, don’t do anything but proceed with the next solution.
Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
Sometimes, you may encounter this issue due to some hardware issue. You can run a hardware and device troubleshooter, find the root cause and fix the problem as instructed. Follow the given steps to do so:
- Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and click OK.
Further, click Next on the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooting window.
- Scanning will start. Wait until the process is completed.
- You’ll be prompted with the recommended fixes. For example, if you’re prompted to restart your PC to finish installing the drivers and updates, you can select Apply this fix. Or, if you’re sure that this won’t help, you can select the Skip this fix option and proceed further.
If you choose to Skip this fix, it may further show you other details, such as Device Install Settings. In addition, it elaborates that Windows is not set to check for up-to-date drivers when a new device is installed. However, you can click Enable to check automatically for the newest device drivers on Windows update.
Following this, read further instructions carefully and complete the troubleshooting process. Once done, restart your PC or laptop and check if the problem is solved.
Uninstall incompatible or buggy software from your device
Buggy, corrupt, or incompatible third-party software may cause your system’s blue screen errors, such as Driver_Overran_Stack_Buffer. You can try uninstalling software or programs from your system to remove the problem. Follow the steps given below:
- Go to Windows Search or press Windows + S to access it.
- Type Control Panel to open it and then go to Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Select the program you may have recently installed that is causing issues with your system and click Uninstall.
Complete the uninstalling process and close the window. Then, reboot your system and check if the problem is solved.
Repair Damaged or Corrupted System Files
The major reason behind a BSoD error on Windows systems is missing, corrupted, or damaged system files. You can try running the System File Checker (SFC) utility via Command Prompt to finally get rid of such files to solve the issue.
- Open Command Prompt and run it as administrator from Windows Search.
- In the open cmd window, type SFC/scannow and hit Enter key.
- The process for finding and replacing the damaged or incorrect version of system files with their correct versions will start.
Once complete, you can close the window and restart your system. If the process shows you further steps to follow, do so and then complete the process.
Test your RAM
Faulty RAM may also be the root cause behind the Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSoD error. You can check issues with the RAM with the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. Follow the given steps to run this tool and test your RAM.
- Open Search, type Windows Memory Diagnostic, and click Open.
- Next, click Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
- On selecting this, your system will restart, and the test will initiate to check problems with your RAM.
- Review the test results and follow the instructions on the screen (if any).
Perform System Restore
System Restore is also a good idea to return your system to its good old functioning state. However, this process will undo all the settings after returning to a certain or default configuration, causing data loss. Hence, we’d recommend backup or restoring your data with professional data recovery software before performing System Restore on Windows.
Once you’re done recovering or backing up your data, follow the given steps:
- Go to Search, type Create a restore point, and click Open.
- Now, on the System Properties tab, navigate to the System Protection tab, and there, click System Restore.
- Click Next, choose a restore point from the available options and click Scan for affected programs.
- It will show you all the programs being affected during the process.
- Click Close > Next > Finish to complete the process.
- Your device will restore to a chosen restore point. Next, reboot the device and check if the issue is solved.
Reset Windows
Lastly, if nothing works, you’d be left with one choice – Resetting Windows. Although it’d fix the issue, it may put your data at risk. But if you already have data backup or plan to restore your important files with professional data recovery software, proceed and reset Windows with the following steps:
- Open Settings by pressing Windows + I, go to Update & Security > Recovery > Reset PC.
- On the next prompt, click Remove everything.
- Now, select Local reinstall.
- You’ll see the current settings. If you’re OK with it, click Next.
- If you want some changes, click Change settings, select the option you want to proceed with, and click Confirm.
- Let the process end, close the window, and your system will be as fresh as a new leaf.
It should do the trick and remove the stop code Driver Overran Stack Buffer from your Windows PC/laptop.
FAQs
How do I Run BSoD Troubleshooter in Windows 10?
Windows 10 also has a built-in BSoD Troubleshooter like Windows 11. You can run it by accessing Settings and following Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Find & fix other problems > Blue Screen. There, click Run the troubleshooter and let the process end.
I factory reset my PC to fix the Driver Overran Stack Buffer issue. But it keeps coming back. Why it’s happening?
When you factory reset your Windows PC, it only fixes a few minor issues with the driver. Any major problem, such as outdated drivers, or faulty hardware, is not resolved by resetting the PC. This may be the reason the BSoD keeps coming after a factory reset.
Can a faulty SSD cause BSOD?
Yes. If an outdated SSD Firmware is available, your device can encounter a blue screen of death (BSoD) error.
What are the signs of a dying SSD?
When your SSD dies, it may give you some signals, such as:
- No bootable medium or device available error may pop up while booting the PC.
- PC may start running very slowly.
- Your device’s active and default applications may often freeze or crash.
- You can encounter BSoD repeatedly.
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Many users reported that their Windows 10 PC is frequently crashing with the blue screen error code DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER. The error specifies that the driver has overrun a stack-based buffer and the PC shut down and after that reboots automatically.
The error frequently appears with the value 0x000000F7 and force your system to restart for avoiding permanent damage to your PC. The presents itself with the error message “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” we’re just collecting some error info and then we’ll restart for you, if you’d like to know more you can search online later for this error: DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER and get stuck in the restart loop and make the device unusable.
After investigating we find out there are many different reasons responsible for the error, so before directly jumping to the fixes let’s find out the common culprit that triggers the driver overran stack buffer BSOD error.
What Causes DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER?
System Files Corruption – Sometimes the Windows system file gets corrupted and affects the stability of the system, which cause various issues, as well as the BSOD error like the one DRIVER, OVERRAN STACK BUFFER. Repairing the corrupted Windows system files works for you to fix the error.
- Outdated System driver – The incompatible or outdated system drivers cause improper synchronization between the driver and Windows OS, which might show the blue screen error. Installing the latest driver or updating the old one works for you.
- Third-party software – If you are seeing the BSOD error after installing the 3rd party software then this is the culprit that interferes with the system files and starts showing errors. Uninstalling the 3rd party software may work for you to solve the problem.
- Overclocked PC – Many users overclocked their system hardware and CPU to operate fast but overclocking causes overheating which consequently causes the BSOD error. You can disable or delete the overclock settings to fix the error.
- RAM or other hardware components – Another possible reason responsible for the BSOD crash error is the recently installed hardware or the RAM. So, if you have installed any latest hardware components then remove or replace them.
So, these are the common culprits that trigger the BSOD error, now follow the working solutions that worked for many users to troubleshoot the error completely.
Before starting with the solutions if you are unable to boot your system normally and see the error on your screen then boot your Windows computer in safe mode. And start following the troubleshooting steps:
Run Inbuilt BSOD troubleshooter
Try running the inbuilt BSOD troubleshooter, this inbuilt tool scans your Windows system and fix the problem that causes the blue screen error. Try running the troubleshooter and fix the issue.
Follow the given instructions to do so:
- Press Windows + I key to open the Settings option and open the Update & Security
Click on Update & Security - Now choose the Troubleshoot.
- From their scroll to choose the BSOD and then click Run the troubleshooter option
Run the BSOD Troubleshooter - Now follow the onscreen instructions to finish the troubleshooting.
And once it is finished, reboot your PC to check if the error is fixed or still persists.
Install Latest Windows 10 Updates
Updating Windows to the latest version is always recommended as this makes the PC more stable, secure and fix various errors also. Generally, Windows check for the latest update and download it automatically.
Here follow the steps to do so:
- Press Windows key + I for opening Windows Settings then click on the Update & Security option.
- Then in the Windows Update section, you need to click on the option Check for updates.
Check for Windows Updates - And once the updates available are checked, the Windows will automatically start installing them.
- As the Windows finish the installation process > reboot your system.
Once the PC restarts check if the blue screen error is solved or head to the next solution.
Update the Drivers
Many times the outdated or corrupted drivers start causing issues with the Windows files and start showing errors like the one DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER BSOD. Thus, it is advised to check for the latest drivers updates and install them. So, check for the latest driver update available and update drivers on Windows 10 OS.
Here follow the instructions to do so:
- Press Windows key + R and in the RUN box that appears type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter
- Then in the device manager window, locate the outdated graphics driver
Device Manager - And right-click on it and then click on Update driver
Update the Graphics Driver in the Device Manager - Then choose the option Search automatically for updated driver software.
Now the Windows will start checking for the updated driver version and after that download and install the proper version. Also, check for other outdated drivers and update them in the same way.
Hope this works for you to fix the DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER BSOD error in Windows 10, but if still the error persists then head to the next potential fix.
Repair Corrupted Windows System Files
Many times, the corrupted Windows system files cause various errors like the one blue screen error. So, repairing the corrupted system files works for you to fix the error. You can run the built-in System File Checker tool, as this allows you to scan, repair and restore the corrupted system files.
The SFC tool scans and looks for the changes, in the protected system files. And if any corrupted or damaged files are spotted, it will replace those files with the stored fresh files.
Here follow the instructions to run the SFC scan:
- Click on the Windows Start button on the search box type CMD then launch the Command Prompt right-click on it and choose the Run as administrator
- Now in the Command Prompt type the command sfc/scannow and hit Enter
Perform an SFC Scan - Wait till the scanning process is completed (approximately 15 minutes)
- And as the process is completed, exit Command Prompt.
Reboot your PC and check if your system boots without an error but if you still see the error then follow the next potential solution.
Run DISM tool
If in case the SFC tool fails to fix Windows system files then running the DISM command might work for you to fix the Windows corrupted files and errors. This command will scan your system and download the corrupted files from the Windows update servers and after that replaces the corrupted files with the correct one.
Follow the given steps to run the command:
- Launch Command Prompt and run it as admin. (as shown in the above steps)
- Then in the Command Prompt type, the command given and hit Enter key
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Use the DISM Command to RestoreHealth
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Here you need to wait for scanning to complete (approximately 30 min)
- Once it is finished, exit Command prompt and then reboot your PC
Hope this works for you to solve the error.
Uninstall the recently Installed Software
Sometimes, installing the 3rd party programs start interrupting the Windows system files or blocks them. And as a result, you face various problems and, in some cases, you end up seeing blue screen errors.
So, check, if you have installed any application or antivirus program recently then uninstalling the particular program works for you.
- Click the Start button in the search box type Control Panel and hit Enter
- Open the Control Panel from the list that appeared and then click on the Programs option
- Then click on the Programs and Features option
Click on Programs and Features - You will see the entire listed programs now scroll and locate the recently installed application and right-click on it and select Uninstall option
Uninstall Problematic program
Once the program is uninstalled completely, delete the temp files present in the temporary folder and reboot your system.
Disable the 3rd Party Security Program
Another possible reason that causes the BSOD error is the antivirus program or the firewall. Many users reported the Avast antivirus program causes issues after installing, the system start crashing and end up showing a stop error.
So, disable the antivirus program and firewalls temporarily, and check if this solves the problem for you. These programs many times interfere with the system functions directly. If disabling the antivirus and firewalls won’t work for you then these are not the culprits that trigger the error you should enable them.
Consider performing a deep scan with the antivirus program to check and remove the virus or the malware present on your system.
Perform System Restore
If the above solution won’t work for you to get past the BSOD error then perform a system restore and restore the system to the last restored point, stored before seeing the error. But before performing this, make sure to save the entire work properly and backup the necessary data.
Please Note: All the changes to the system settings will be removed once you restore your system.
Here follow the steps to do sp:
- Press Windows key + R to launch the Run box. And in the box type rstrui and hit Enter key for opening the System Restore window
- And as you are System Restore window then, click on the Next button.
System restore window - Here choose a restore point before you start seeing the particular BSOD error, once you select the correct restore point click Next.
Select a system restore point and click Next - Now click on the Finish key to begin the restore process.
- And once the process is finished, your PC will reboot automatically
If during the next system startup you see the same error then, move down to the next possible fix.
Diagnose the Hard Drive
Another problem that causes the error is the bad sectors present on your hard drive and corrupting the (MBR) Master Boot Record or the file system. There is a possibility that there are some inconsistencies that cause Windows to crash every time it tries accessing the information stored in those sectors. Here we run the hard drive diagnostics and see if this helps you to solve the error.
- Press Windows + S to launch the search bar, here type command prompt, right-click on the application and choose Run as administrator.
- And in the command prompt type, the command is given and hit Enter
- chkdsk /r
Run chkdsk /r command
- chkdsk /r
- Now the Windows will start checking the hard drive for errors and fix them automatically.
Please Note: If you see a window like this (given in the screenshot), this means that your hard drive is currently in use (apparently, you are using the computer). Type “Y” and hit Enter. Now reboot your computer and upon the restart, the hard drive will be checked.
And if running the CHKDSK command won’t work for you to solve the error and try the steps given below.
- Reboot your computer by pressing the Shift key to launch into the Advanced Startup.
- Now select Troubleshoot and choose the Advanced option.
Opening up the Advanced Options menu - As you get into the interface select Command Prompt.
- And in the Command Prompt, type the below-given commands and hit Enter key after each one:
- bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
- bootrec.exe /fixmbr
- bootrec.exe /fixboot
And wait for the scanning process to finish, then exit the command prompt, reboot your PC.
Hope to repair the hard drive fix the Stop Code driver overran stack buffer error but if not then try the next solution.
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
The blue screen error many times appears due to the hardware and RAM issues. And if the above-listed solutions won’t work for you then the issue might be related to the hardware as it is not compatible with the motherboard and the system start crashing.
So, check if you have installed any recent hardware then try removing and replacing it. And look for the error if it is resolved.
Additionally, the corrupted memory module will also cause the blue screen errors, so check for the problem using the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
Here follow the instructions to do so:
- Press Windows key + R for opening the Run dialogue box and here type mdsched.exe then hit Enter
- Here you will see 2 options in the Windows Memory Diagnostic popup window.
- Select the option Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
Click Restart now and check for problems option - And your operating system will reboot and start searching for the memory module errors, wait will the process is finished.
Turn off the Overclock Settings
Check if you have overclocked your CPU and GPU then this may cause the overheating issue which later on results in showing errors. So, look for the overclock settings and disable them to solve the error.
Here follow the instructions for disabling the overclock settings:
- Press Windows + I key for opening the Settings window
- Then click on the Update and Security option and then click on Recovery
Windows Updates and Security - Click on the Advanced startup option and then click Restart Now
- Now as the computer boots click on Advanced startup, click on Troubleshoot then the Advanced Options, then on the UEFI Firmware Settings option.
Open UEFI Firmware Settings in Advanced Options - Click Restart and as the PC boots launch BIOS and click on the Advanced option
- Go to the Performance option and locate Overclocking and then click Disable
- Now hit the F10 key for saving BIOS changes and then reboot your PC
This worked for many users to solve the overheating problem and fix the error in their Windows PC.
Reset Windows OS
If none of the above-listed solutions works for you, then reset the Windows 10 system. Doing this will delete entire files from the system partition, so first, create a backup of the files to avoid further issues.
Follow the steps to reset Windows 10:
- Reboot the computer pressing the Shift key
- And as you get the interface to choose Troubleshoot option and then click on Reset this PC now click on the Remove Everything option.
Click on Remove Everything - After that choose the drive where Windows is installed and click on Just remove my files and click the Reset button.
- Next, follow the instructions that appear for resetting Windows
So, that’s all about the DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER BSOD error. Try the fixes given accordingly and fix the error completely.