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How to Fix the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen Error

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA does not identify one failed part. Use these Windows 10 and 11 checks to investigate recent changes, drivers, disk space, and memory.

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PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA is a Windows stop code, not a diagnosis of a failed component. Microsoft says a blue screen can be caused by hardware, a driver, or software, so start with recent changes and reversible checks before considering recovery or repair. The guidance below applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What the stop code tells you

The code identifies a crash, but it does not by itself identify the cause. Microsoft’s “Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows” notes that “A hardware device, its driver, or software might have caused this error.” Its guidance names PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA and covers Windows 10 and Windows 11; it does not provide a root-cause tree specific to this stop code.

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1. Record the crash details and recent changes

Write down the complete stop code and, if the blue screen displays it, the text after “What failed:”. Microsoft explains that this is the module that was executing when the crash occurred. Treat the name as a clue for investigation, not proof that the named component is defective.

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Think about what changed shortly before the crashes started: new hardware, a driver, an app, or a Windows update. The timing can help you choose what to check first, but it does not establish the cause on its own.

2. Undo a recent hardware change

If the crashes began after you installed new hardware, shut down the PC, remove that hardware, and try starting Windows again. If the problem stops, that is useful evidence to investigate the device or its compatibility. Do not open a computer or reseat internal parts unless you have appropriate device-specific instructions and the experience to work safely.

3. Use Safe Mode if Windows will not start reliably

If normal startup is difficult, Safe Mode can let you carry out the checks below. Follow Microsoft’s instructions for starting Windows in Safe Mode for your version of Windows rather than assuming every PC uses the same route through recovery menus.

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4. Check relevant devices and drivers

Open Device Manager and look for devices marked with an exclamation point. Focus on a device that has a warning or was changed around the time the crashes began, rather than changing unrelated drivers at random.

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  1. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
  2. Inspect the device list for warning-marked devices, especially hardware recently installed or changed.
  3. For a relevant device, try updating its driver. If that does not help, Microsoft’s general blue-screen guidance suggests disabling or uninstalling the device when appropriate.

Use Windows or the device maker’s support channels for drivers; avoid random driver-download sites. If disabling or uninstalling a device would leave you without essential input or connectivity, check the device maker’s instructions first.

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5. Check disk space and install Windows updates

Check that the Windows system drive has free space, then install available Windows updates. Microsoft gives 10% to 15% free space as a general blue-screen troubleshooting guideline and says the precise requirement varies by system configuration. This is not a proven cause or a stop-code-specific threshold for PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA.

6. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic if memory is a concern

Windows Memory Diagnostic is an advanced check you can use when crashes persist or other clues point toward memory. Microsoft’s instructions explain how to run Windows Memory Diagnostic. After it finishes, open Event Viewer and look for the MemoryDiagnostics-Results entry to review the result.

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Use the result as evidence for what to investigate next; the stop code or a diagnostic result alone is not a reason to buy replacement RAM.

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7. Consider Windows recovery if crashes continue

If the checks above do not resolve the problem, consider a System Restore point or another Windows recovery option that fits your situation. Microsoft’s Windows recovery options guide describes the available choices. Review what each option changes and protect important files where possible before proceeding.

8. Get help with persistent crashes

For crashes that remain unexplained, contact qualified device support rather than replacing parts based on the stop code alone. Memory dump analysis is an option Microsoft identifies for IT professionals and developers; it requires interpreting crash data and is not a universal hardware-replacement procedure.

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