Fixing the FATAL_UNHANDLED_HARD_ERROR Bug Check 0x4C: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Scan Your System for Errors in Safe Mode

To start troubleshooting, reboot your computer into Safe Mode and run a system file check. This method will help identify and fix corrupted system files that could be causing the error.

1. Restart your computer and press F8 (or Shift + F8 ) before Windows loads.
2. Select Safe Mode from the Advanced Boot Options menu.
3. Once in Safe Mode, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
4. Input cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt as admin.
5. In the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
6. Allow the scan to complete, then restart your PC normally to check if the error persists.

Pro Tip: Make sure to back up your data before running system diagnostics to prevent potential data loss.

Step 2: Restore Your System to a Previous State

If your system experiences booting issues, utilize System Restore to roll back to a stable state. This action can rectify recent changes that might have led to the error.

1. Boot into Safe Mode as explained previously if your PC won’t boot normally.
2. Open the Run dialogue box by pressing Win + R.
3. Enter rstrui.exe and press Enter to launch System Restore.
4. Select a restore point prior to the occurrence of the BSoD and follow the instructions to restore.

Pro Tip: Restoring your system will remove software installed after the restore point, so consider a backup.

Step 3: Run Hardware Diagnostics

Conducting comprehensive hardware diagnostics is crucial to identify any internal failures that could be contributing to the FATAL_UNHANDLED_HARD_ERROR. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Restart your PC and access the BIOS/UEFI by pressing the designated key (usually F2, F10, Delete, or Esc ).
2. Navigate to the diagnostics or tools section within the BIOS/UEFI.
3. Run the built-in tests for your memory and hard drive.
4. Consider downloading external hardware diagnostic tools if you need a deeper analysis.
5. Follow the prompts to run necessary checks and see if any hardware failures are reported.

Pro Tip: If a hardware component is failing, try it out on another system for a clearer diagnosis.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall Device Drivers

Ensuring your device drivers are up to date can prevent a multitude of problems, including this error. Follow these steps to update or reinstall them:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager.
2. Expand each category to identify devices with a yellow exclamation mark, indicating issues.
3. Right-click the problematic device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If updating fails, uninstall the device by right-clicking and selecting Uninstall device.
6. Restart your computer; Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

Pro Tip: Frequent driver updates can enhance system performance and stability, so check regularly.

Step 5: Use Driver Verifier

Utilizing Driver Verifier can assist in pinpointing malfunctioning drivers. Here’s how to use this tool:

1. Press Windows + R, type verifier, and press Enter.
2. Select Create custom settings (for code developers) and click Next.
3. Check the Standard settings option and click Next.
4. Choose Automatically select unsigned drivers or other relevant options based on your needs.
5. Click Finish to apply the settings and then restart your computer.

Pro Tip: After utilizing Driver Verifier, closely monitor your system’s performance for any signs of instability.

What is FATAL_UNHANDLED_HARD_ERROR?

How can I prevent this error from occurring in the future?