How to fix bsod WIN32K_CRITICAL_FAILURE (0x164) (boot looping)

Dontaskwhy E 50 Reputation points
2026-05-10T14:19:49.5+00:00

My Windows 11 PC initially began having issues after the built-in Screensaver settings page became unresponsive and displayed incorrect personalization options instead of screen saver settings.

After restarting the computer, it booted to a black screen and did not load the desktop. I then performed a forced restart.

Since then, the system has been stuck in an Automatic Repair loop and references the log file:

C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt

While trying to resolve the issue, I have also encountered multiple Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors during boot:

WIN32K_CRITICAL_FAILURE (0x164)

NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM (0x24)

I have attempted Startup Repair, Safe Mode, and running chkdsk /f /r, but the issue persists. I also tried using “Reset this PC,” but it fails and reports that no changes were made.

At this point, the system cannot boot into Windows normally, and all built-in repair and reset options have failed.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures
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Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 945.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-10T14:55:31.6066667+00:00

If all recovery options in the Recovery Environment are failing to resolve the problem, then you will need to create a bootable Windows 11 USB on an empty 8GB USB flash drive on another working PC and boot your PC from that, then rather than installing Windows 11, select ‘Repair this Computer’ that will give you access to the Recovery Environment from there

In the Recovery Environment on the USB, try each available option.

Click this link:  https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

to download the Media Creation Tool to create the bootable USB.

Then, Boot your PC from the Installation Media you just created.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-10T14:20:10.11+00:00

    WIN32K_CRITICAL_FAILURE (0x164) indicates a critical failure in Win32k (graphics/windowing subsystem). Because the system is in an Automatic Repair loop and basic repairs have failed, use a staged approach: basic boot repair, then offline system repair, then advanced crash analysis or recovery.

    1. Run Startup Repair from Windows RE Startup Repair is designed to fix boot-related issues such as damaged system files, BCD, or MBR.
    2. Access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
    3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair > Restart.
    4. If prompted for BitLocker, provide the recovery key.
    5. Let Startup Repair complete and test boot.

    If Startup Repair still cannot fix the issue and the loop continues, proceed with offline repair.

    1. Run System File Checker (SFC) in offline mode This repairs system file corruption when Windows cannot boot normally.
    2. Boot into WinRE.
    3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
    4. Identify the Windows drive letter in WinRE (often C: or D:). For example, assume:
      • System partition: C:
      • Windows folder: C:\Windows
    5. Run offline SFC: 
         SFC /Scannow /OffBootDir=C:\ /OffWinDir=C:\Windows
    6. Wait for completion, then restart and test boot.
    7. Check for driver-related or late-startup issues If the stop error occurs late in startup or persists after SFC:
    8. Still in WinRE Command Prompt, run SFC as above if not already done.
    9. If memory dumps are being created, capture and analyze a kernel or complete crash dump to identify faulty drivers or components. For advanced analysis, use the !analyze debugger extension as described for bug checks.
    10. Basic BSOD troubleshooting (if bootable at least to Safe Mode) If at any point the system can boot into Safe Mode:
    11. Remove any recently added hardware.
    12. In Safe Mode, open Device Manager and check for devices with an exclamation mark. Update, disable, or uninstall problematic drivers.
    13. Ensure sufficient free disk space (aim for at least 10–15% free).
    14. Install the latest Windows 11 updates if possible.
    15. If the issue started recently, use System Restore or other options under Recovery options in Windows 11 to roll back.
    16. When repairs fail repeatedly If Startup Repair, offline SFC, and basic troubleshooting do not resolve the WIN32K_CRITICAL_FAILURE loop and Reset this PC continues to fail, options are:
    • Use a recovery option from Recovery options in Windows 11 that matches the scenario (for example, a more complete reset or reinstall while keeping files, if accessible).
    • If advanced debugging tools are available, analyze the crash dump for the specific WIN32K_CRITICAL_FAILURE subtype (parameter 1) and follow the guidance for that subtype using the debugger.

    If none of these steps succeed and the system remains in a boot loop, a clean installation of Windows 11 from external media may be required after backing up data from the drive using WinRE or another environment.

    References:

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