Windows Computers Lead To 'Blue Screen Of Death' Due To CrowdStrike Error

Millions of Windows users across the globe today experienced the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error which caused the system to suddenly shut down or restart. The Microsoft error, caused due to a CrowdStrike 'Falcon Sensor' update, affected airlines banks, stock markets, and other businesses across the globe.

Airports across the world said check-in systems were down and services were being handled manually, with delays likely. All Indian airlines have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share with their fliers that their systems had been impacted.

#TravelUpdate: Due to infrastructure issues with our service provider, some of our online services, including booking, check-in and manage booking services will be temporarily unavailable. Currently we are following manual check-in and boarding processes at the airports and hence…

— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) July 19, 2024

Our systems are currently impacted by a Microsoft outage, which is also affecting other companies. During this time booking, check-in, access to your boarding pass, and some flights may be impacted. We appreciate your patience.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 19, 2024

Social media users posted pictures showing their screens stuck on the recovery page displaying the message: "It looks like Windows didn't load correctly. If you'd like to restart and try again, choose Restart my PC below."

I am aware of a large-scale technical outage affecting a number of companies and services across Australia this afternoon.

Our current information is this outage relates to a technical issue with a third-party software platform employed by affected companies.

— National Cyber Security Coordinator (@AUCyberSecCoord) July 19, 2024

Major US carriers including American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines issued ground stops on Friday morning citing communication issues. US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the department was monitoring the flight cancellation and delay issues at Frontier, adding that the agency will hold the company and all other airlines "to their responsibilities to meet the needs of passengers".

Microsoft, in a statement, said it was taking "mitigation actions" after service issues. "Our services are still seeing continuous improvements while we continue to take mitigation actions," the company said in a post on X.

"We remain committed in treating this event with the highest priority and urgency while we continue to address the lingering impact for the Microsoft 365 apps that are in a degraded state," the company added.

What is Blue Screen of Death

Blue Screen errors, also known as black screen errors or STOP code errors, can occur when a critical issue forces Windows to unexpectedly shut down or restart. You may encounter a message stating, "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer" or a similar notification.

These errors can stem from hardware or software problems. If you recently installed new hardware and encountered a Blue Screen error, try shutting down your PC, removing the new hardware, and attempting to restart. If restarting poses difficulty, you can initiate your PC in safe mode. For detailed steps, refer to the instructions on starting your PC in safe mode in Windows.

Additionally, consider updating Windows with the latest patches through Windows Update, seeking assistance from other sources, or restoring Windows to a previous restore point.

How to Fix Windows Blue Screen Error

If none of these measures resolve the Blue Screen error, utilize the Blue Screen Troubleshooter available in the Get Help app:

• Open the Get Help app in Windows.
• Type "Troubleshoot BSOD error" in the search bar of the Get Help app.
• Follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the Get Help app.