The kernel security check failure error is one of those errors often found on the dreaded Blue Screen of Death or BSoD. This error can be caused by a number of reasons ranging from incompatible memory, virus infection or corrupted windows system files. But the most common cause of this stop code error will be due to a recent upgrade to Windows 10. Sometimes a windows update will be installed on your machine that causes the drivers you had been using to become incompatible with your operating system suddenly.
The kernel security check failure happens due to:
Typically, there’s a check process in Windows operating system during startup. This process throws the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error when it detects corruption in any critical data structure.
How to fix kernel security check failure?
Please note below, if you are receiving error, and your machine will not boot normally, there is a good chance your machine will still boot into safe mode to allow you to perform some of the troubleshooting steps that I have outlined below. To boot Windows into safe mode you simply visit my article – How to boot to safe mode in Windows 10
Power Off and Detach Removable Devices
If you get the Kernel Security Check Failure BSOD, you may need to force a system shutdown by pressing and holding the Power button for some time. Then, strip your system of any detachables — external HDDs, SD cards, headsets, speakers, Bluetooth devices, or optical drives — and only keep the bare-bones peripherals — your monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Make sure, however, that the latter are all firmly connected to your PC.
Run Memory Diagnostic Tool
You can identify memory problems with the memory diagnostics tool available in Windows 10, 8, and 7. This tool also tests the RAM on your computer.
1. To run this tool, go to Control panel and type “memory” in the search bar. Click on “diagnose computer memory problems” to open this tool. You can also type “mdsched” in start search and hit Enter to open this tool.
2. Choose Restart now and check for problems (recommended) to check the status of memory card right now;
Or select Check for problems the next time I start my computer;
3. Then The Memory Diagnostic Tool will automatically run to check errors on Memory card in your PC.
If you’re an advanced user and want to adjust this tool’s settings, press F1 when the tool starts. You can change the following parameters.
- Test — There are three types of tests, namely, basic, standard, and extended. Each of these tests is described on the screen and you can choose whichever you want.
- Cache — Choose the cache setting
- Pass count — Decide how many times you want the system to repeat this test.
After making the changes, type F10 to start the test.
If no errors are checked, your memory card is working perfectly fine with no problem;
If errors are detected, change the current memory card with a new one so to get rid of BSOD with Kernel Security Check failure error.
Driver issues
Driver Verifier is a good tool to check for driver incompatibilities. To open this tool, type “verifier” in the start menu search box and hit enter. Alternately, type “verifier/?” in the command prompt. Both these options should open the Driver Verifier.
Note: You’ll have to run this tool as an administrator.
Select “create standard settings,” which is the default and click next. You can also choose “create custom settings” to select individual options or settings. Some of your options are:
- Automatic check — This option always checks the performance of the selected driver(s). In case of faulty behavior, the manager will ensure that the driver releases all resources before it’s unloaded.
- Special pool — When you choose this option, the manager allocates a driver’s memory request from a special pool that’s monitored for overruns and underruns.
- Force IRQL checking — In this option, the manager invalidates pageable code to prevent a driver from accessing paged memory at the wrong IRQL.
- Low resources simulation — When you select this option, the manager randomly denies memory requests to a driver to test the driver’s ability to handle low resources.
- Pool tracking — This option tracks if a driver has released all memory resources when it’s unloaded. This prevents memory leaks.
- I/O verification — This option monitors a driver’s I/O handling capability, and in the process detects inconsistent I/O routines.
- Deadlock option — This option monitors a driver’s spin locks and mutexes to check the driver’s ability to cause deadlocks.
- DMA verification — This option checks the driver’s use of DMA routines to check for improper use of DMA buffers and map registers.
- Security checks — The manager looks for common errors that can cause security vulnerabilities.
Depending on what you need, you can choose specific options.
Once you’ve selected your options, it’s time to choose the driver(s) you want to monitor. You can either pick individual drivers or choose from the built-in choices of the verifier manager.
- Automatically select unsigned drivers — Good choice for testing on Windows versions that don’t require signed drivers.
- Automatically select drivers built for older versions of Windows — Helps to check driver compatibility for newer versions of Windows.
- Automatically select all drivers installed on this computer — Tests all the drivers installed on your computer.
- Select drivers from a list — In this option, you can choose all the drivers you want to test.
Once you make your choices, click on finish and reboot the computer. On startup, the driver verification manager will check for driver inconsistencies.
In case of corrupt drivers, uninstall, reinstall, or update them.
Scan and remove Malware in PC
To perform this method, you need to use some anti-virus software to scan and thoroughly remove all Malware from your PC and then reboot the computer. If you do not have Antivirus protection installed to your computer i suggest that you look into this immediately. Once your scan has completed, the unwanted kernel security check failure problem will be fixed.
Run DISM and System File Checker
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Run command : sfc /scannow
It will run the System File Checker.
Run Command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
