For most users that statement means nothing. Understanding what a BSOD System Service Exception error is should help you to troubleshoot and fix the problem. If you’re facing this kind of BSOD error on your Windows PC, here are some steps to help you understand, troubleshoot, and resolve the issue.
What Is A System Service Exception Error In Windows 10?
In Windows 10, a BSOD caused by a System Service Exception error (usually shown as SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION) is unusually tricky to resolve. Unlike a Windows Stop Code Memory Management BSOD, this error has any number of potential causes. Don’t be too surprised if this BSOD sounds familiar—this BSOD has existed in Windows for decades. While it sounds generic, the Microsoft technical explanation states that this BSOD is usually caused when a running process on your PC attempts to move from “non-privileged to privileged code.” Windows, like all operating systems, has security levels in place for different system processes to ensure only the right code can run at the right times and by the right processes. When that fails for any reason, errors like this occur to stop the process from causing harm to your system. Unfortunately, there could be any number of causes behind this. It could be a one-off error caused by a bug in Windows itself, or it could be caused by outdated drivers, corrupted system files, or a rogue app that tries to access and run protected Windows code. To help you solve the problem, here are a few fixes you can try.
Update Windows 10 and Installed System Drivers
The best fixes are sometimes the simplest, and for many users, a quick trip to the Windows Settings menu to update your PC could be all you need to fix the System Service Exception Error. Microsoft regularly issues important fixes and improvements for Windows, especially for new hardware. This includes new driver updates for your different system components. To update Windows, right-click the Windows Start menu button and click Settings. From here, press Update & Security to view the Windows Update menu, then press Download or Download and Install to begin downloading and installing any available system updates. You may need to search online for additional driver updates, however. Graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, for instance, often have newer drivers available on their website than those offered through Windows Update.
Run the Windows Driver Verifier Tool
Protected system code can usually only be accessed by certain system processes or devices, which is why hardware drivers usually cause System Service Exception errors in Windows 10, as they’re among the pools of third-party apps that can do this. Even new device drivers can cause this BSOD error, especially if you’ve installed brand new hardware. If you’re unsure whether your drivers are causing this BSOD to occur, you can run the Windows Driver Verifier tool to check. This is a troubleshooting tool that is designed to stress test your system drivers. However, be warned—this is designed to find and recreate the very bugs that cause a Stop Code System Service Exception error in the first place, so don’t run this tool while you’re using your PC for anything critical. It is essential that you backup your PC before you do this by first creating a new system restore point. The Driver Verifier is a development tool and is designed to cause BSODs when a driver can’t be verified or if a driver is corrupted. This could mean your PC becomes stuck in a BSOD loop caused by Driver Verifier itself. This is an entirely normal and expected result when Driver Verifier detects an issue with your drivers. You’ll need to analyze your BSOD dump files next to identify the drivers causing your BSOD issues and replace them, then disable Driver Verifier in Safe Mode (or use your System Restore point) to fix the BSOD loop it causes.
Resolving a Driver Verifier BSOD Loop
As we’ve mentioned, the Driver Verifier may cause additional BSOD errors when it detects an issue, forcing you into a BSOD loop. This is to be expected, and you’ll need to check your BSOD dump logs for more information. In most cases, however, upgrading or replacing your drivers will resolve the problem. However, you’ll need to boot into Safe Mode first, then switch Driver Verifier off and delete its settings to stop this BSOD loop occurring. This should resolve any additional BSOD loops caused by the Driver Verifier. However, don’t forget that if Driver Verifier does cause a BSOD loop, it’s working as intended. You’ll need to investigate your BSOD dump files for further information to identify the problematic driver (or drivers) causing your BSOD errors and update or remove them.
Restoring Your PC using System Restore
If disabling Driver Verifier in Safe Mode doesn’t resolve your BSOD loop, use the System Restore point you created before you started this process to reset your PC back to an earlier point. Otherwise, you’ll need to consider resetting Windows to factory settings as a last resort. Windows will restore your PC to the point prior to running the Driver Verifier tool. This should stop the BSOD loop caused by the Driver Verifier, but it won’t fix the original BSOD issues. As we’ve advised, the Driver Verifier is a stress test tool that helps to identify whether your drivers are fit for purpose. If the BSOD Verifier causes further BSODs, then you can assume that it has identified a driver that isn’t fit for purpose that could cause both BSODs. Check your BSOD dump logs for further information—once you’ve identified the rogue drivers, you’ll need to uninstall them or replace them with newer (or older) drivers. This should help you to troubleshoot the cause of your driver BSOD issues, especially if you see a System Service Exception BSOD appear on your PC.
Run CHKDSK and SFC Tools
A problem with your drive or system files could cause a System Service Exception in Windows 10. You can run the chkdsk and sfc commands from an elevated command line or Windows PowerShell window to double-check if this is the case.
Reset or Reinstall Windows 10
When all else fails, and if you’ve ruled out a problem with your hardware itself, then resetting Windows 10 to its default state (or wiping and reinstalling it entirely) may remove any conflicts causing this BSOD error. Note: Once this process begins, there’s no turning back, so make sure you’ve backed up your PC first.
Keep Windows 10 Updated to Prevent BSOD Errors
The steps we’ve listed above should help you troubleshoot the problem when a Stop Code System Service Exception BSOD appears on your PC. In many cases, keeping your system updated should stop BSODs from appearing, unless there’s a more serious hardware issue at fault. If you have any other fixes for the system service exception error in Windows 10, we’d love to see them in the comments below.
