Steps to Resolve the CRITICAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILURE Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) Error

An error labeled CRITICAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILURE, bearing code 0x0000013D, signifies a notable malfunction that has occurred during the initialization phase of the Windows system. This issue often arises due to corrupted drivers, absent system files, malware infections, the installation of new software or hardware, or complications related to RAM or hard disk drives.

How do I resolve the CRITICAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILURE error?

1. Start your computer in safe mode and update drivers

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run dialogue.
2. Input msconfig and click OK to access the System Configuration panel.
3. Navigate to the Boot tab, and under Boot options, choose Safe boot with Networking.
4. Select Restart when prompted.

Once you find yourself in safe mode, proceed to update any problematic drivers as follows:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and hit OK to launch the Device Manager.
3. You’ll see a list of system components; click through them to find any driver exhibiting a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark.
4. Once identified, right-click on the driver and select Update driver from the menu.
5. Select Search automatically for drivers and allow Windows to locate the appropriate driver for your device.
6. Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process.

If Windows fails to find the latest driver, consider visiting the manufacturer’s website for a manual download. Additionally, utilizing recommended driver updater tools from this guide is another viable option.

2. Remove recently installed software

1. While in safe mode, press Windows + I to launch the Settings application.
2. Select Apps, then click on Installed apps.
3. Locate the application you wish to remove, click on the three-dot icon, and select Uninstall.
4. Click the Uninstall button to confirm the action.

3. Execute an SFC scan

1. In safe mode, press Windows , type cmd into the search bar, and select Run as administrator.
2. Copy and paste the command below to check and repair missing system files, then press Enter : sfc /scannow
3. Once the scan finishes, restart your computer.

4. Examine your disk for errors

1. In safe mode, press Windows , type cmd in the search field, and choose Run as administrator for the Command Prompt.
2. Enter the command to detect bad sectors and rectify disk errors, and press Enter : chkdsk C: /f
3. If you receive a message indicating the drive is locked when running this command on your primary drive (typically the C drive), type Y and press Enter to schedule the check for your next reboot.
4. Reboot your system, and the disk check will automatically execute before Windows starts.

5. Restore your system settings to an earlier state

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type sysdm.cpl and hit OK to access the System Properties window.
3. Navigate to the System Protection tab, and click the System Restore button.
4. In the System Restore window, select Choose a different restore point, then click Next.
5. From the available restore points, select one created before the BSoD error occurred and click Next.
6. Click Finish.

Your PC will reboot, and Windows will attempt to revert the system settings to the previous configuration. Should you encounter the message that System Restore was unsuccessful, it may stem from conflicting applications or driver errors. In such cases, we suggest referring to a comprehensive guide for possible resolutions.

6. Look for Windows updates

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings application.
2. Go to Windows Update and click on the Check for updates button.
3. If an update is found, click Download & install to proceed with the download.
4. You may be prompted to restart your computer, so ensure that you save all work and close any files beforehand.

7. Reset your Windows installation

1. Press Windows + I to access the Settings app.
2. Go to System and click on Recovery.
3. Under the Recovery options, find Reset this PC and click Reset PC.
4. On the Choose an option screen, select Keep my files.
5. Select the Cloud download option on the subsequent screen.
6. On the Additional settings page, review the settings, and if alterations are needed, click Change settings. Once satisfied, select Next.
7. Click Reset to initiate the process.
8. The duration of this process may vary based on your system configuration, and your device may restart multiple times. After resetting, you’ll need to follow the setup procedure.
9. Finally, make sure to install the latest Windows updates and necessary applications on your device.

In conclusion, to prevent errors like CRITICAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILURE or any other Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) alerts, it’s crucial to ensure that both drivers and Windows are kept up to date. To swiftly tackle this issue, thoroughly assess the error message and proceed with the appropriate steps. A clean installation of Windows can also remedy various system-related concerns.

If you have queries or feedback concerning the CRITICAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILURE error, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

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