Are you being frustrated by the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Error 0x00000109? It is also referred to as Critical Structure Corruption. Your system is forced to shut down, and the startup sequence fails to complete, leaving you unable to use your PC.
What is the BSOD error 0x00000109? What causes it, and how can it be fixed?
Keep reading to find out.
The error message goes like this:
“A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
Modification of system code or a critical data structure was detected.
If this is the first time you’ve seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed.
If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any Windows updates you might need.
If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software;
Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.
If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.
Technical Information:
*** STOP: 0x00000109 (0x00000001, 0x00000001, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
Collecting data for crash dump …
Initializing disk for crash dump …
Beginning dump for physical memory.
Dumping physical memory to disk: 100
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system admin or technical support group for further assistance.”
As you can see, the error message is quite self-explanatory and suggests a couple of fixes you should try.
What Is Causing the Error 0x00000109?
The error is usually triggered when a device driver or third-party software modifies kernel data without authorization, leading to data damage or a critical kernel code.
The kernel is an important part of a computer’s operating system. During the booting process, it is the first program that loads into the protected memory area. In addition to acting as the bridge between the system resources and the PC user, it also serves the function of memory management, resource management, and device management. So you can see how a problem with the kernel leads to a Blue Screen of Death.
However, other factors can also trigger the error, including corrupt hardware memory, the incorrect usage of a kernel debugger tool, and a virus infection.
As the error 0x00000109 occurs, the operating system turns off several critical tasks so that the computer cannot be used. If the error is not resolved promptly, it can cause serious damage.
Since there are various factors that can cause the error, it is necessary to find out the particular cause and get it resolved. They include the following:
- Driver Issues: You may have recently installed a driver that has affected the boot configuration data of your PC. Also, sometimes system drivers are installed incorrectly after a Windows update. In this case, what you have to do is to boot into safe mode and use the System Restore utility to revert your PC to a previous state when the issue did not exist.
- Virus Infection: One of the most common causes of this error is when a virus tries to modify system kernel data. In such a case, a clean boot will be required, after which you should scan the system for viruses.
- System File Corruption: Sudden power outages and improper shutdown or startup procedures, disk read/write errors, and virus attacks can lead to the corruption of system files. It is one of the common causes of the error in discussion. To resolve the issue, there are built-in utilities, such as SFC and DISM, that you can run. Another option is to do a clean install so as to reset every component of the operating system.
- System Memory Malfunction: The blue screen error can result when a RAM memory module is not functioning correctly. The system then forcefully disables all important tasks that are associated with RAM. A module can get faulty as time passes or when there’s power outage. You need to check the system memory and make sure that it still works correctly.
Now that we have seen the various causes, it is time to go ahead and discuss how to remove the 0x00000109 BSOD. So please, keep reading.
How to Fix the Error 0x00000109 in Windows 10
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
- Update device drivers
- Scan your PC for viruses
- Perform a system restore
- Run SFC and DISM scans
- Run CHKDSK
- Perform a clean install
Let’s get started:
Fix 1: Boot into Safe Mode
Starting your computer in safe mode is the first thing you have to do to resolve the BSOD error. In safe mode, only the essential system programs and services are allowed to start up at boot. If you succeed in booting into safe mode, it shows that a third-party application or device driver was the cause of the error 0x00000109 by interfering with the operating system’s BCD (Boot Configuration Data).
Follow these easy steps to boot into safe mode:
- If your computer is currently on, press the power button until the system turns off.
- Now press the power button again to turn on the computer.
- Once the initial startup screen comes up, press the F8 button repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu is displayed.
- Use the down arrow key to select Enable Safe Mode and then press Enter (Or you can simply press F4 to immediately run the option so you won’t have to use the down arrow key to scroll).
- Wait for the boot sequence to complete.
If the stop error does not appear after you’ve completed the above steps, you can then apply Fixes 2, 3, 4, and 5. However, if you are unable to boot into safe mode because the stop error persists, then move on to Fixes 6, 7, and 8.
Fix 2: Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
You need to check if you have a faulty memory stick. The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a built-in utility that you can use to find out whether your computer has a memory problem.
- Press the Windows logo key + R to invoke the Run dialogue.
- Type Control Panel and press Enter.
- Click System and Security > Administrative Tools.
- Locate Windows Memory Diagnostic in the list and double-click on it.
Tip: You can launch the tool quickly by typing ‘mdsched.exe’ in the Run dialogue and then pressing Enter.
- Click the option that says, “Restart now and check for problems (recommended).”
- Once the scan completes, your computer will restart automatically.
You now have to check the test results in the Event Viewer to determine whether you have a bad RAM module:
- Press the Windows logo key to open Start.
- Type ‘eventvwr.exe’ in the search bar and click on it from the results to open Event Viewer.
- Open the Windows Logs folder and then right-click on System.
- Click Find from the context menu.
- Now type ‘MemoryDiagnostics-Results’ in the ‘Find what’ bar.
- Click the Find Next button and then close the Find dialog.
- Double-click ‘MemoryDiagnostic-Results’ listed in the Event Viewer window. If the message reads, “The Windows Memory Diagnostic tested the computer’s memory and detected no errors,” then it means that you do not have a faulty memory module. However, if there are some errors, then it means that one of your RAM modules may need to be replaced.
Fix 3: Update Device Drivers
If the stop error is caused by a problematic device driver, then performing an update can help resolve it. You can follow these steps to do it manually:
- Press the Windows logo key + R.
- Type ‘devmgmt.msc’ into the search field and then click OK or press Enter.
- Look for devices that have a yellow rectangle with an exclamation mark in the middle. That shows that there is an issue with them.
- Right-click on the device you want to update and then click Update Driver Software.
Pro tip: You can fix all faulty, outdated, and missing drivers easily with Auslogics Driver Updater. The tool runs a scan to detect driver issues, after which it downloads and installs the latest manufacturer-recommended versions of the required drivers.
Fix 4: Scan Your PC for Viruses
The 0x00000109 error might have been caused by a virus infection that tried to modify kernel data. You need to run a virus scan and get rid of all infected files.
Pro Tip: We recommend you use Auslogics Anti-Malware. It is made available by a certified Microsoft ® Silver Application Developer.
Fix 5: Perform a System Restore
Once you can boot into Safe Mode, performing a system restore is an easy way to resolve the Stop Error 0x00000109. It will return the system to a previous state in which the issue does not exist.
Here’s how to run the System Restore utility:
- Invoke the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows logo key + R shortcut on your keyboard.
- Type ‘rstrui’ and press Enter or click OK.
- Once you are on the System Restore Wizard, click Next.
- Now, mark the box for ‘Show more restore points.’
- Select an appropriate restore point (one that lies before you started experiencing the error).
- Click Next > Finish.
- Once the process is complete, your computer will restart automatically.
Note: Keep in mind that any apps, drivers, settings, etc. that were not implemented on your PC on the date of your chosen restore point will no longer be present after the system restore is complete.
Fix 6: Run SFC and DISM Scans
If you try to boot into safe mode but still run into the stop error, it is an indication of system file corruption. You will have to open an elevated command prompt via the Advanced Options menu and run the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) utilities.
Follow these easy steps:
- Insert your Windows installation media.
- Restart your computer and press any key when the prompt appears.
Tip: In case you don’t have the installation media, you can still bring up the Advanced Startup Options Menu by turning on your computer and then holding the power button to disrupt the booting sequence. You will have to do this about three consecutive times. Afterwards, move on to Step 4.
- After you’ve booted from the installation media, click ‘Repair your computer’ displayed in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Select Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
- In the elevated command prompt window, type ‘sfc /scannow’ and press Enter.
- Wait for the process to complete. Do not interrupt the process. Doing so can cause some additional logical errors. Plug your PC to charge so as to make sure that the scan is not interrupted due to low battery.
Tip: System File Checker (SFC) replaces corrupted files with healthy equivalents from a locally stored folder.
- Restart your computer after the scan is complete and follow Steps 1 through 4 to return to the elevated command prompt window.
- To scan for and fix corrupt files using DISM, type in the following commands and press Enter after each one:
- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Note: DISM downloads healthy copies of the corrupted files using a Windows update subcomponent. Therefore, connect to a stable network before initiating the process.
- Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the stop error 0x00000109 has been resolved.
Fix 7: Run CHKDSK
The CHKDSK (Check disk) utility will let you know if the stop error is caused by a corrupt HDD. Follow the steps below to run it:
- Insert your Windows installation media (disk, USB stick).
- Restart your computer and press any key when you see the prompt.
- Wait for the Windows Setup screen and then press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt window.
- Type chkdsk C: /f and press Enter.
Note: If Windows is not installed on the C drive, replace C: with the letter of the drive where Windows is installed.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
Fix 8: Perform a Clean Install
If the fixes above have not been sufficient in fixing the error 0x00000109, then the option you have left is to refresh all Windows components and boot-related data by way of a clean install. There are two different ways to achieve this, namely repair install and reinstall Windows.
If there is personal data you don’t want to lose, including applications, games, photos, videos, and even some user preferences, Repair Install should be your port of call. Although the process can be quite tedious, it will save your personal data without you having to perform any prior backup.
The second option you have is to reinstall Windows. This is easier to perform. However, keep in mind that all your data will be wiped in the process.
We hope this guide has helped you to successfully resolve the Critical Structure Corruption error 0x00000109.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, kindly share them in the comments section below. We’ll like to hear from you.
