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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  • Outdated or faulty drivers: Incompatible, outdated, or missing drivers—especially graphics and input device drivers—can trigger this error by disrupting system processes.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.
Before applying any of the fixes below, first check your PC for malware, as some malware targets system files, corrupting or modifying them, which can result in unexpected blue screen errors.

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.
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
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.

While SFC and DISM seem to be dealing with the same issue of corrupted files, they are quite different tools that address the same issue at different levels. Here is a brief comparison:
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.
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.
Click Update all drivers to update all outdated drivers at once or click Update next to specific 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.

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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.

The System Restore method will only work if you have previously created restore points. Luckily, Windows also creates them automatically, for instance, during updates.

Check out our guide on how to restore Windows for step-by-step instructions.

An additional fix you can try is running Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for RAM issues. Faulty or failing RAM is a common cause of system crashes, and running this tool can help detect and resolve problems that may be triggering the win32kbase.sys BSOD error.

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!

FAQ

What is win32kbase.sys, and why is it causing a BSOD?
Win32kbase.sys is a Windows system file responsible for handling GUI-related (graphical user interface) system calls between hardware and the OS. If this file becomes corrupted, outdated, or conflicts with drivers, it can trigger a blue screen of death (BSOD).
How do I know if my win32kbase.sys error is caused by a driver issue?
Check the Event Viewer logs (copy and paste eventvwr.msc in Search and hit Enter) for error details or use Device Manager (right-click Start and select Device Manager) to look for outdated drivers. If the error occurs after updating or installing a driver, rolling back to a previous version may help.
Can I manually replace the win32kbase.sys file?
Manually replacing win32kbase.sys is not recommended, as it’s a protected system file. Instead, use SFC or DISM to repair it safely.
Can malware or viruses cause win32kbase.sys BSOD?
Yes. Some malware can infect or corrupt system files like win32kbase.sys, leading to BSOD errors. Running a full system scan using Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus can help remove potential threats.