Boot into Safe Mode by triggering Automatic Repair and selecting Startup Settings to load essential drivers only. 2. Update or roll back problematic drivers like graphics, storage, or recently installed ones via Device Manager. 3. Uninstall recently added software such as antivirus, overclocking, or driver updater tools that may cause kernel conflicts. 4. Run SFC /scannow in Command Prompt as Administrator, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth if needed to repair system files. 5. Install pending Windows Updates, especially optional driver and security patches. 6. Test hardware including RAM with Memory Diagnostic, SSD/HDD with chkdsk, check for overheating, and disconnect non-essential peripherals. 7. Disable CPU, GPU, or RAM overclocking in BIOS/UEFI by resetting to default settings. 8. Analyze minidump files using BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed to identify the faulty driver or module. 9. Perform a clean boot via msconfig to disable third-party services and startup items for isolating conflicts. 10. As a last resort, reset or reinstall Windows through Recovery settings to resolve persistent issues. The "KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED" error is typically caused by drivers or software and can be resolved step by step starting from software fixes before addressing hardware, with most cases not requiring data loss.
The "KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED" is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error in Windows, usually caused by problematic drivers, hardware issues, or system corruption. It often appears during startup or while using the system, and can be frustrating — but it's usually fixable. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix it step by step.

1. Boot into Safe Mode
Before attempting fixes, try booting into Safe Mode so Windows loads only essential drivers.
-
How to get into Safe Mode:
- Restart your PC and interrupt the boot process 3 times to trigger Automatic Repair.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Press F4 or 5 to enable Safe Mode (with or without networking).
If the system boots fine in Safe Mode, the issue is likely a third-party driver or software.

2. Update or Roll Back Drivers
Faulty or outdated drivers (especially for storage, GPU, or network) are the most common cause.
Check these drivers:
- Graphics (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)
- Storage (SATA/AHCI, NVMe)
- Antivirus or virtualization software (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox)
- Recently installed drivers
Steps:
- Open Device Manager (right-click Start button).
- Look for devices with a yellow warning icon.
- Right-click and Update driver.
- If the crash started recently, Roll Back Driver if available.
? Pro tip: If you can't identify the culprit, uninstall recently updated drivers and let Windows reinstall defaults.
![]()
3. Uninstall Problematic Software
Some software (especially security tools or utilities that run at kernel level) can cause this error.
- Think back: Did you install new antivirus, optimization tools, or virtualization software?
- Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall them via Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Common offenders:
- Antivirus suites (e.g., McAfee, Norton)
- Overclocking tools
- Third-party driver updaters
4. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
System file corruption can trigger this error.
Run SFC:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type:
sfc /scannow
- Wait for completion. If it finds and fixes issues, restart.
Run DISM (if SFC fails):
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Then run SFC again.
5. Check for Windows Updates
Microsoft often releases patches that fix known driver and kernel issues.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Install all pending updates, especially optional driver updates.
6. Test Your Hardware
Faulty hardware can cause kernel-level exceptions.
Focus on:
- RAM: Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86.
-
Hard Drive/SSD: Run
chkdsk /f /r
in Command Prompt (Admin). - Overheating: Check CPU/GPU temps using tools like HWMonitor.
- External devices: Unplug USB drives, printers, or docking stations.
Remove non-essential peripherals and test.
7. Disable Overclocking
If you’ve overclocked your CPU, GPU, or RAM:
- Enter BIOS/UEFI.
- Reset to default settings (Load Optimized Defaults).
- Save and reboot.
Overclocking can destabilize the kernel and cause exceptions.
8. Check Minidump Files (Advanced)
Windows saves crash logs in C:\Windows\Minidump\
. Use tools like BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed to analyze which driver or module caused the error.
Look for:
- Driver name (e.g.,
nvlddmkm.sys
= NVIDIA) - Timestamp matching the crash
- Exception code
Once identified, update or remove that driver.
9. Perform a Clean Boot (Optional)
To isolate software conflicts:
- Press
Win R
, typemsconfig
. - Under Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, then Disable all.
- Go to Startup tab > Open Task Manager > disable all startup items.
- Restart.
If the issue disappears, re-enable services one by one to find the culprit.
10. Reset or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)
If nothing works:
- Use Reset this PC (Settings > Recovery).
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Reinstall Windows cleanly.
This eliminates deep software or driver conflicts.
Bottom line:
"KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED" is usually driver- or software-related. Start with Safe Mode, update drivers, remove suspicious software, and check hardware. Most cases are fixable without losing data.
Basically, work from software to hardware — and don’t skip checking minidump files if you’re tech-savvy.
The above is the detailed content of How to fix 'KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED'. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Hot AI Tools

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor

SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools

SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)

Hot Topics

System restore point setting methods include manual creation, dependency automatic creation, and management of storage space. 1. Manual creation requires system protection to enable in "Create Restore Point", allocate 5% disk space and click "Create" to name the restore point; 2. The system will automatically create restore points when installing updates or changing settings, but do not guarantee comprehensiveness; 3. The restore point occupies no more than 5% of the system disk space by default, and the old version will be automatically cleaned, and storage can be managed by adjusting the upper limit.

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls network traffic through predefined rules to protect computers or networks from unauthorized access. Its core functions include: 1. Check the source, destination address, port and protocol of the data packet; 2. Determine whether to allow connections based on trust; 3. Block suspicious or malicious behavior; 4. Support different types such as packet filtering firewalls, status detection firewalls, application layer firewalls and next-generation firewalls; 5. Users can enable built-in firewalls through operating system settings, such as Windows Security Center or macOS system preferences; 6. The firewall should be used in combination with other security measures such as strong passwords and update software to enhance protection.

If you want to remotely turn off the router Wi-Fi, you must first confirm whether the router supports remote management; if it does not support it, it can be achieved through a smart socket power outage; advanced users can also consider flashing in custom firmware. The specific steps are as follows: 1. Check whether the router has remote management functions, such as the manufacturer's supporting app or cloud management functions; 2. If it is not supported, purchase and set up a smart socket and remotely cut off power through its app; 3. For technical users, you can install firmware such as DD-WRT or OpenWRT to obtain remote control permissions. Different methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Please weigh them according to your own needs when choosing.

When encountering the blue screen error VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE(nvlddmkm.sys), priority should be given to troubleshooting graphics card driver or hardware problems. 1. Update or rollback the graphics card driver: automatically search and update through the device manager, manually install or roll back to the old stable driver using NVIDIA official website tools; 2. Adjust the TDR mechanism: Modify the TdrDelay value in the registry to extend the system waiting time; 3. Check the graphics card hardware status: monitor the temperature, power supply, interface connection and memory module; 4. Check system interference factors: run sfc/scannow to repair system files, uninstall conflicting software, and try safe mode startup to confirm the root cause of the problem. In most cases, the driver problem is first handled. If it occurs repeatedly, it needs to be further deepened.

To prevent specific programs from being connected to the network can be achieved through system firewalls or third-party tools. 1. Windows users can use their own firewall, create new rules in the "outbound rules" to select the program path and set "block connection"; 2. Third-party tools such as GlassWire or NetBalancer provide graphical interfaces that are more convenient to operate, but pay attention to source reliability and performance impact; 3. Mac users can control networking permissions through the command line with pfctl or using LittleSnitch and other tools; 4. A more thorough way is to use the network outage policy. The whitelisting policy prohibits all programs from being connected to the network by default and only allows trusted programs to access. Although the operation modes of different systems are different, the core logic is consistent, and attention should be paid to the details of the path and scope of the rules taking effect.

UAC frequently pops up because the running program requires administrator permissions or the system setting level is too high. Common reasons include installation of software, modifying system settings, running third-party tools and other operation triggers. If using an administrator account, UAC only confirms the operation and not blocks. The methods for reducing prompts include: canceling the program to run as an administrator, lowering the UAC notification level, using a standard user account, and starting the program through the task planner. It is not recommended to turn off UAC completely because it can effectively prevent malicious programs from tampering with the system. You can set the UAC to "notify only when the program changes the computer" to balance security and experience.

The Facebook name change process is simple, but you need to pay attention to the rules. First, log in to the application or web version and go to "Settings and Privacy" > "Settings" > "Personal Information" > "Name", enter a new name, and save it; secondly, you must use your real name, it cannot be modified frequently within 60 days, it cannot contain special characters or numbers, and it cannot be impersonated by others, and the review does not pass the auxiliary verification such as uploading ID cards; it usually takes effect within a few minutes to 3 working days after submission; finally, the name change will not notify friends, the homepage name will be updated simultaneously, and the old name will still be displayed in the history record.

Updating the wireless router firmware is necessary and easy to operate. 1. Updates can fix vulnerabilities, improve performance, and add functions; 2. Check and updates can be manually operated through the management interface; 3. During updates, you need to ensure stable power supply, use wired connections, avoid interruptions, and confirm model matching; 4. Some brands support automatic updates, and update once or twice a year.