Most of us do not mind surprises like an unexpected gift from a loved one or a friend paying a visit after so many years. But then, there are unpleasant ones that make us want to scream inwardly and punch an imaginary wall. Wouldn’t you feel the same when your computer crashes and shows a blue screen while you’re playing a game or watching a video?
There are many kinds of BSOD errors, and the one we’re going to deal with today is win32kbase.sys. It is a system file that helps your hardware and drivers communicate. And if it fails to load, well, you already know the score. That’s why I’ve put together this article—to teach you how to fix the win32kbase.sys BSOD error and how to keep it from showing up again.
📌 Related: How to Fix SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION Blue Screen Error on Windows?
Main Causes of Win32kbase.sys Blue Screen Error
- Corrupt or missing system files: Since win32kbase.sys is a core Windows system file, any corruption or damage can lead to crashes and blue screen errors.
- Outdated or faulty drivers: Incompatible, outdated, or missing drivers—especially graphics and input device drivers—can trigger this error by disrupting system processes.
- Faulty RAM or hardware issues: If your memory (RAM) is failing or your hard drive has bad sectors, Windows may struggle to load critical system files, leading to the BSOD.
- Windows updates or software conflicts: A recent update or newly installed software might not be playing well with your system, causing win32kbase.sys to crash.
How to Fix the Win32kbase.sys Error
Solution 1: Perform an SFC scan
The first way to fix the win32kbase.sys BSOD error I want you to try is running the System File Checker, or SFC (after all, we’re fixing a system file here, right?). Performing an SFC scan allows you to identify missing, corrupted, or damaged system files. To do that, follow the steps below:
- Click the Windows icon on your taskbar.
- Now, type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt on the results, then select Run as administrator from the options.
- If prompted to give permission, click Yes.
- Inside the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow, then press Enter.

After pressing Enter, the System File Checker will start searching for the missing or corrupted system files. Along the process, the tool will repair the affected files. Keep in mind that this may take several minutes to complete. So, you must avoid interrupting it.
When the scan is finished, restart your PC. If corrupted files were the reason win32kbase.sys failed to load, you shouldn’t be seeing the blue screen again.
📌 Also read: How to Find Out the Cause of BSODs Using the Event Viewer
Solution 2: Use the DISM tool
The next fix on our list is running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to scan your system. It should restore the problematic files to their functional state. To run the DISM tool, follow the instructions below:
- Go to your taskbar, then right-click the Windows icon.
- Select Command Prompt (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Terminal (Admin) from the list, depending on your OS.
- If prompted to give permission to the app, click Yes.
- Now, run the command below and press Enter:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

The DISM tool will now begin to scan your system and look for issues. It will also repair damaged or corrupted system files. Keep in mind that the process will take longer than an SFC scan. So, be patient and wait for it to complete.
Feature | SFC (sfc /scannow) | DISM (DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Scans and repairs corrupted or missing system files | Repairs the Windows image used to restore system files |
What it fixes | Minor corruption in win32kbase.sys or other system files | Deep system corruption affecting win32kbase.sys, drivers, or updates |
When to use | The first step if a BSOD is caused by corrupted/missing files | If SFC fails or cannot fix the issue |
Source of repair | Local system cache (stored in Windows) | Windows Update or installation media |
Is the internet required? | No | Yes (if files need to be downloaded) |
Time to complete | 5-15 minutes | 15-30 minutes (longer if corruption is severe) |
Effectiveness against the win32kbase.sys BSOD | Good for minor file corruption | Best for deeper system issues affecting win32kbase.sys |
Next steps if it fails | Run DISM | Try System Restore or Windows Repair |
Don’t forget to restart your PC after it’s finished. Win32kbase.sys failed to load again, and you keep getting the blue screen? Let’s move on to the next fix.
Solution 3: Update your drivers
If you haven’t maintained your system in a while, some drivers may have become rusty or even got lost. And, as we all know, missing, incompatible, damaged, or simply outdated drivers can lead to all sorts of trouble, including the win32kbase.sys BSOD error. That’s why we recommend updating your drivers to their latest versions.
You can go with the most conventional option, which means visiting each device manufacturer’s website, searching for, and then picking the right driver for your system. However, you should know that this will require a huge effort and most likely take forever. Moreover, it can also be risky because if you install the wrong drivers, you might complicate things even further than they were instead of fixing the BSOD error.
Another way to update your drivers manually is using Device Manager. It’s simpler, but also has its downsides—it won’t guarantee that you get the latest driver for your device.
All things considered, I would opt for automatic driver updates with a reliable driver updater.
There are a few fast, free, and safe driver updaters, such as IObit Driver Updater, AVG Driver Updater, or Auslogics Driver Updater. All these tools have the biggest advantage of updating all outdated drivers just in one click, which makes the process of driver updates fast and convenient.
Here is how to update drivers with Auslogics Driver Updater:
- Download and install Auslogics Driver Updater from the official website.
- Launch the program after installation.
- Click on the Scan button. The software will analyze your system and list outdated, missing, or faulty drivers.

- Once the scan is complete, review the list of drivers that need updating. You can either update all drivers at once or select individual drivers to update.
- Click Update all drivers to update all outdated drivers at once or click Update next to specific drivers. The software will download and install the latest versions of the selected drivers.

- Once the updates are installed, restart your computer to apply the changes. Check if your hardware components (such as audio, graphics, and network devices) are functioning correctly.
Solution 4: Perform a system restore
If nothing helps, it may be time for more drastic measures. Thanks to the System Restore tool, you can turn back time (sort of) and revert your system to the state when you hadn’t faced the win32kbase.sys BSOD yet.
Check out our guide on how to restore Windows for step-by-step instructions.
The Win32kbase.sys Error: Fixed
If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely dealt with the win32kbase.sys BSOD on your PC. Which fix has worked for you? In any case, remember: keep your drivers updated, and you should be fine.
We want to help you troubleshoot other computer issues.
Comment below which BSOD error you’d like us to solve next!