Posted on 5 How To

14 Fixes: Kernel Security Check Failure

All Windows users are aware of the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) and how annoying it is. It’s quite frustrating when your monitor shows a blue screen while you’re using your computer and you can’t boot it up again to get rid of it.

Kernel security check failure is one of the most annoying blue screen errors. This article contains all the details you will need to get rid of this tedious system error.

What is the KERNEL SECURITY CHECK FAILURE stop code?

The KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error code is one of the many BSoD errors that can occur on your Windows 10 PC. The OS on the PC is checking system file incompatibility and integrity.

Users will see this error if the search results find multiple incompatible files and corrupted data. This is an indicator of errors that occur due to memory problems, conflicts between two or more programs, incompatible drivers, or malware infection on the computer.

This is the error message you will see on a blue screen if your system encounters any of the above complications and decides to crash without being able to handle it:

🙁

Your PC has encountered a problem and needs to be restarted. we just

collect some error information and then we restart for you.

If you want to know more, you can search the web for this error later: KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_ERROR.

System Scripts That Can Cause Kernel Security Check Error

Windows users have reported that they noticed their computer crashing and displaying a kernel security check error when they performed the following functions or after these changes were made to their computer.

  1. Users have played.

This issue was discovered when users were in the middle of a game. We don’t need to imagine how annoyed they must have been.

  1. The error occurred after the PC came out of sleep mode.

Users encountered this problem right after they opened their computers.

  1. Additional RAM has been added.

The Kernel Security Check Error Blue Screen occurred after a RAM upgrade right after restarting the computer.

  1. Certain programs are running on the system.

People have seen this blue screen of death when they run certain programs on their computer.

Factors Responsible for Kernel Security Check Error in Windows 10

  1. Outdated operating system

An outdated OS is more error prone than an updated version. It is important to download updates for your Windows system as the latest versions may fix existing errors and issues on your computer.

  1. Outdated Drivers

Older drivers can be the cause of almost all problems on your computer. Just like the OS, drivers need to be updated regularly. If it is not updated, users will have to update them when their drivers become incompatible with the hardware and/or software.

  1. Corrupted system data

Corrupted system files on computers are the remnants of functioning files that were vulnerable to viruses and suffered virus damage. If such files exist, they will affect the health and performance of the system.

  1. Presence of malware

Malware is a universal cause for all sorts of errors that you encounter on your computer. Removing these invisible threats that can otherwise cause great harm to your system. Regular checks will keep them at bay.

  1. Antivirus programs

Antivirus software can interfere with many of the processes that you want to run on your system. Turning it off while your tasks are running can be useful to you.

Methods to fix Windows 10 Kernel Security Check Failure BSoD error

Even though blue screen errors such as kernel security check failure, TDR video failure, and others are critical issues, that doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed. Troubleshooting the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK stop code error is quite simple.

Here are the procedures you can follow to fix it:

  1. Look for Memory Related Errors on Your PC
  2. Take a look at the memory slot and hard drive
  3. Scan for hard drive errors and fix them
  4. Temporarily disable your antivirus
  5. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode
  6. Activate the Legacy Advanced Boot menu.
  7. Uninstall and reinstall or update physical drivers
  8. Check for OS updates
  9. Run a full system scan
  10. Run CHKDWe (Check Disk)
  11. Run System File Checker
  12. Troubleshooting the blue screen problem
  13. Run System Restore
  14. Perform a clean install of Windows 10

Fix Kernel Security Check Error in Windows 10

1. Look for memory-related errors on your PC (Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool).

RAM plays a very important role in the functioning of your computer. The system should boot. The higher the amount of CPU memory, the better the performance of your computer. If one of them fails, your system becomes slow. If the entire RAM fails, then the system does not work at all.

You must find and fix problems in your system by displaying corrupted or faulty RAM systems. This can be done using the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

The Memory Diagnostic Tool is a utility that looks for problems in your system’s RAM and fixes them. Here are the steps to troubleshoot CPU memory related issues:

  1. Open the Run tool on your computer by pressing the Windows and R keys at the same time.
  2. In the open field, type mdsched.exe and press the Enter key.
  3. Another way to open this tool is through the search box where you can find the memory diagnostic tool.
  1. This will open the memory diagnostic tool in the form of a small dialog box with two options, namely:
    • Restart now and check for problems
    • Check for problems and the next time I turn on my computer
  2. You can choose one of these options. Either way, the RAM will be checked for problems. Follow the instructions from the windows that appear on your screen.

If any problems are found, you may have to fix the problem by connecting new RAM to the motherboard. If you are unable to run the Memory Diagnostic Tool, try starting your computer in Safe Mode, and then open the tool.

2: Take a look at the memory slot and hard drive

This issue can be caused by a loose RAM (Random Access Memory) stick or a loose hard drive. You will have to open the processor case to look at them as they are connected to the motherboard.

The RAM may have popped out of the slot or the retaining tab may have broken, causing the connection between the RAM and the motherboard to be loose.

In this case, the RAM will not be detected. If you have more than one stick of RAM, the rest will be detected, except for the badly connected one. If only one RAM is present, your system will not boot until the issue is resolved.

Improper connection of the hard drive or damage to this hardware can also cause this problem. If you have an additional drive, you can check if the problem exists on another hard drive.

3: Scan for hard drive errors and fix them

Hard drive errors can cause kernel security checks to fail. You can see if you have errors and fix them so that this problem does not cause you to blue screen of death. Explorer has a scanning feature that can detect errors.

Here are the steps to check and find errors:

Note. This method must be performed by an administrator because some aspects of this procedure require access to the system through an administrator profile.

  1. Press the Ctrl and E keys together to bring up File Explorer. The easiest way to open this is by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar.
  1. If you have partitioned your hard drive, you must know which partition contains Windows system files and the operating system. This is usually the C:/ drive. This is known as the system drive.
  2. Right-click the drive and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
  1. The system disk properties windows will appear on the screen. Click the “Tools”tab in this dialog box.
  2. In the Error Checking section, click the Check button. This must be done by the administrator.
  3. Select the Scan Disk option to start checking for errors. The duration of this scan depends on the number of files on the system drive.
  1. When the results appear and you notice problems on your drive, the tool offers instructions on how to fix the problem.
  2. Do as instructed on the window to get rid of this problem.

4: Temporarily disable your antivirus

Antiviruses are useful software. But not all the time. They are overly protective and may prevent you from performing certain security functions.

They block certain processes and programs from running when they are active. These missing processes can cause the kernel security check to fail on your computer. You can disable your antivirus and see if the issue still exists.

Here are the steps to deactivate the antivirus:

  1. Open the Task Manager with the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
  2. Click the “More Info”button to see a list of all processes running on the computer.
  3. Click the Startup tab and find the antivirus program on your computer.
  4. Select a process and the “Disable”button in the lower right corner of the window will be highlighted.

Click on it to stop the application from starting the next time you restart your computer.

  1. Restart your computer. You wouldn’t see a kernel security check fail if an antivirus was the culprit.
  2. If the antivirus is not the cause, you can follow the steps above and go to the Startup tab, where you must click the Enable button after selecting the antivirus program.

Before you decide to disable the antivirus on your system, you must remember that this software protects your computer from viruses and malware. Deactivating this may put your computer at risk. If you don’t want to endanger your system, skip this method.

5: Start Windows 10 in safe mode.

Safe Mode is a feature of Windows that allows you to start the OS with minimal and necessary features. If the Kernel Security Check Error disappears in Safe Mode, you can safely assume that one of the applications on your computer is causing this error. Removing this program will help.

For those who don’t know how to boot Windows in safe mode:

  1. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys on your keyboard. You will also be able to find the “Settings”icon on the left side of the Start menu.
  2. Click the Recovery tab in the Update & Security settings window.
  3. Once you’re in the Advanced Startup section, click the Restart Now button to reboot your system.
  1. The computer will restart and the Select an option window will appear.
  2. Follow this path:

Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Options > Restart

  1. The system will restart again.
  2. Press F4 on your keyboard in the next window to start safe mode. If you need Internet in Safe Mode, press F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.

6: Activate the Legacy Advanced Boot menu

The Legacy Advanced Boot Menu or F8 Safe Mode is one of the most important factors needed to access and boot your computer in Safe Mode.

Users cannot start Safe Mode on their crisis computers if this boot menu is disabled. Enabling this is also a solution to fix your system’s kernel security check error.

Here are the steps to enable the Legacy Advanced Boot menu on your system:

  1. Download the Windows 10 installation media from the Microsoft website and install it on a USB drive. This will turn the USB into a boot drive.
  2. Reboot the system and insert the boot disk into the USB port.
  3. This action will launch the Windows setup window. Select Next to continue.
  4. From this window navigate to the following path:

Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt

  1. You will be shown an elevated command line tool.
  2. First type C: and press Enter.
  3. Then enter the following command:

BCDEDIT /SET {DEFAULT} BOOTMENUPOLICY LEGACY

  1. Press the Enter key to enable this.
  2. Close the window and return to the option selection page.
  3. Select “Continue”and boot the system.

7. Uninstall and reinstall or update hardware drivers.

Old versions of drivers can cause a lot of trouble for users. The only two ways to resolve a kernel security check error if caused by driver bugs is to uninstall and reinstall the driver or update it.

  1. Search for Device Manager in the search bar and open the best result.
  2. In the “Device Manager”window, find the “Disks”segment and click on it.
  1. Right-click on the hard drive driver you suspect is causing problems. The context menu drops out.
  2. Select “Properties”in the pop-up window and open the “Drivers”tab.
  1. If you want to uninstall and reinstall the driver, click Uninstall Driver and follow the instructions. You can download a new driver from the hard drive manufacturer’s website using the hard drive’s model number.
  2. If you want to download updates, click the Update Driver button.

Any of these options can be used to obtain new device drivers.

8. Check for OS updates.

Windows Updates are the cure and the precaution for most problems on your computer. There is a huge chance that the latest version of Windows will contain a solution to the Kernel Security Check Failure error.

  1. Open Windows Settings using the Start menu or keyboard shortcut (Windows + I).
  2. Click the Update & Security tile to open it.
  3. Select the Windows Update tab in the left pane and click the Check for Updates button.
  1. If you find any pending updates, click the Download and Install button.
  2. Restart your computer and wait for the installation to complete. It will take a few seconds to start.

9: Run a full system scan

Scanning a device is traditionally done with an antivirus tool. If your computer does not have an antivirus, you can check the system for viruses and malware using the built-in scanner.

  1. Open the Start menu and type “Windows Security”.

Click on it to open the first result.

  1. Alternatively, you can go this route:

Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security tab > Open Windows Security.

  1. Click the Virus & Threat Protection tab on the left.
  1. Click the “Scan Options”link and select the “Full Scan”radio button.
  2. Select Scan Now to have the OS start scanning your computer.

Step 10: Run a CHKDWe (Check Disk) Scan

Corrupted files can be the source of the kernel security check error in Windows 10. Checking the disk can help fix the kernel security check error on Windows 10 computers and resolve the BSoD error.

  1. Find Command Prompt in the search bar and run it as a system administrator.
  2. In the cmd window, type this command and press Enter on your keyboard.

chkdsk “disk letter”: /f /r /x

  1. You will be asked if you want to schedule a disk check when the computer restarts again. Press the Y key and press Enter.
  2. Restart your computer for the command to check the files.

11: Run a System File Checker

The System File Checker or SFC Scan is a Windows command that can help check device drivers for corrupted files and bring them back to working versions. You can use this to get a configuration where the kernel security check error does not exist.

Here are the steps to take:

  1. Open a command prompt window with administrator rights. Type command prompt or cmd into the search bar and select “Run as administrator”from the results.
  2. Type the following command line and press Enter on your keyboard:

sfc /scannow

SFC will take a long time to complete. After this operation is completed, all corrupted files will be deleted.

12: Troubleshooting the blue screen problem

Windows settings has exclusive troubleshooters for BSoD. This will not only identify the problem, but fix it without any or minimal effort from the user.

Here are the steps to open the BSoD troubleshooter:

  1. Open Windows Settings. You can open the Start Menu, select Settings from the left pane, or press Windows + I to bring up the same.
  1. Enter the Update & Security tile.
  2. Click on the Troubleshooting tab in the panel on the left.
  1. Select the Blue Screen option. You may not be able to see the Blue Screen option.
  2. If you don’t see it, go to the Advanced Troubleshooter link at the bottom. The BSoD troubleshooter is located under Find and fix other problems.
  3. Click on the Blue Screen option and click on Run the troubleshooter.
  4. The troubleshooting window will open. Follow the troubleshooting wizard and make your selections.

The troubleshooting interface requires a little interaction to detect a problem and a little more to fix it. If this cannot be fixed, you can manually fix the errors.

13: Run System Restore

Creating a system restore point is not a way to fix a kernel security check failure in Windows 10, but a precaution you can take to revert to a previous, error-free Windows operating state in the event of a system crisis.

Here are the steps required to create a restore point in Windows 10:

  1. Plug in the USB stick containing the OS installation media and restart your computer.
  2. Click Troubleshoot and open Advanced Options.
  3. On the Advanced Options page, click System Restore. Alternatively, you can search for the System Restore interface in the search bar and open the first result.
  4. In the System Properties window, click the System Restore button on the System Protection tab.
  5. Set the desired restore point and click Next at the bottom of the System Restore window.
  1. If available, you can see existing restore points and information about them.
  2. Click the “Finish”button and then click “Yes”to close the window.

These are the steps to create a system restore point on your computer. You can revert to this system state if you run into problems.

14. Perform a clean install of Windows 10.

A clean install refers to a fresh installation of an operating system on a computer. This will return all settings to their defaults and in a way fix the kernel security check error in Windows 10.

This is how you can install a brand new OS on your device:

  1. Connect a USB storage device larger than 8 GB to your computer.
  2. Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to convert the USB drive to a bootable device.
  1. Restart your computer. If the installation device is at the top of the boot sequence, you will be taken directly to the installation window.
  2. If the boot sequence does not match the installation order, you will have to change the boot sequence with the USB stick on top.
  1. In the installation wizard, click “Next”and click the “Install Now”button.
  2. If you have a product key code, enter it. If not, click the link I don’t have a product key.
  3. Accept the terms and click the “Next”button to continue.
  4. Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) for a clean install.

You will continue to see the “Activate Windows”watermark if you don’t have a product key. We have an article with instructions on how to permanently remove the “Activate Windows 10″watermark.

You can take the following steps to fix the Kernel Security Check Failed error on a computer running Windows 10.

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