WindowsIntermediate

How to Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (0x00000050) in Windows

Quick Answer PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, also identified as 0x00000050 or 0x50, means Windows referenced invalid system memory. Possible causes include faul...

Bison Technical Team Enterprise IT specialists

Updated 06 Oct 2026 9 min read 1 total views

Structured technical guidanceSafety notes included where requiredSources listed below

Quick Answer

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, also identified as 0x00000050 or 0x50, means Windows referenced invalid system memory. Possible causes include faulty drivers or services, antivirus software, defective memory hardware, and NTFS file-system corruption. The code alone does not identify the failed component. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="0"}

Start by recording the crash details and checking what changed immediately before the problem began. Roll back an implicated driver, test memory when hardware is suspect, and check Windows files or storage when the evidence points there. If Windows cannot start normally, use the recovery instructions below.

What the Error Looks Like

Windows stops unexpectedly, displays the stop code, and may restart automatically. A driver or module name might also appear. Record that name and the activity taking place when the crash occurred. The screen’s appearance can vary between Windows versions; the stop code is the useful identifier. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10. Administrator access is required for driver changes and the repair commands in this guide. Windows 10’s standard free support ended on October 14, 2025; these troubleshooting instructions do not extend its support lifecycle. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}

Before You Begin

Back up important files while Windows is accessible.
Photograph the stop screen and note recent driver, application, update, or hardware changes.
Save work before restarting or testing memory.
Have your BitLocker recovery key available before entering recovery tools on an encrypted PC. Some recovery operations require it. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="3"}
On a work-managed device, involve IT before changing security software or managed drivers.
Change one item at a time and record the result so you can identify which action helped.

Choose the Most Relevant Starting Point

The following clues guide troubleshooting; they are not proof of a particular cause.

Observed pattern	Start with	Evidence to look for
Crashes began after a driver update	Driver rollback	Stability returns with the previous driver
Crashes began after installing software	The application vendor’s update or removal procedure	The same activity stops causing crashes after the change
Crashes began after adding hardware	Manufacturer diagnostics and compatibility checks	A diagnostic failure or stability with the previous configuration
Windows reports damaged files or storage errors	System-file and file-system checks	Repair results or recurring errors
No clear trigger exists	Crash records and memory dumps	A repeatable pattern across multiple crashes

1. Perform Basic Checks

Restart once and determine whether the error recurs.
If you recently connected a nonessential external device, shut down, disconnect it, and retest.
Check that the Windows drive has sufficient free space.
On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install applicable updates. Restart when requested.

If the error repeatedly follows a specific update, investigate that change before installing unrelated software or replacing hardware. Microsoft recommends checking new hardware, drivers, available storage, and Windows updates when troubleshooting repeated stop errors. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="4"}

2. If Windows Cannot Start, Enter Safe Mode

From the sign-in screen or Start menu, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart to enter Windows Recovery Environment, also called Windows RE. If repeated startup failures already display Automatic Repair, select Advanced options. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="5"}

Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.
Use this session to investigate or roll back the suspected driver.

Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services. Stability there helps narrow the investigation, but does not conclusively prove that hardware is healthy. Restart normally after making a change and test again. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="6"}

If Windows RE is unavailable, create official Windows installation media on another computer, boot the affected PC from it, and choose the option to repair the PC. Creating the media erases the selected USB drive, so use one without needed files. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="7"}

3. Roll Back or Update the Suspected Driver

If crashes began immediately after a driver change, try rolling it back:

Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
Expand the relevant device category.
Right-click the device and select Properties > Driver.
Record the current driver version, then select Roll Back Driver if available.
Follow the prompts and restart.

If rollback is unavailable, obtain a compatible driver from the PC or device manufacturer. When there is no recent driver change, check Windows Update or the manufacturer for a relevant fix. Match the driver to the exact device and Windows architecture. Avoid unofficial driver-download sites. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="8"}

Warning: Driver changes can affect display output, networking, or startup. Keep a known working installer available. Do not remove storage-controller drivers or manually delete driver files as a general troubleshooting step.

Verify: Repeat the activity that previously triggered the crash. If the replacement driver makes matters worse, roll it back or reinstall the previously working vendor package.

4. Review Recently Installed Software

If the timing points to a newly installed application or service, check its vendor’s support guidance and apply a compatible update. If necessary, use its supported uninstall procedure and retest.

Security warning: Removing antivirus or endpoint protection can leave the PC unprotected. On managed computers, ask IT to handle the change. On personal computers, confirm that an active, supported antivirus is protecting the device before resuming normal internet use.

Avoid disabling multiple services together: doing so makes the result difficult to interpret. If removing the suspected application has no effect, preserve the test result and continue diagnosis.

5. Test the Memory

Search Start for Windows Memory Diagnostic and open it.
Save your work, then select the option to restart and check for problems.
After Windows restarts, open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System.
Find MemoryDiagnostics-Results and read the result.

If errors are detected, arrange hardware diagnosis. Also use the PC manufacturer’s memory tests. A passing test does not exclude intermittent faults. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="9"}

Hardware warning: Before reseating or replacing memory, follow the manufacturer’s service instructions, disconnect power, and observe electrostatic-discharge precautions. Have a technician service devices with inaccessible or soldered memory.

Do not purchase replacement RAM solely because this stop code appeared. Confirm compatibility and isolate the failing component first.

6. Repair Windows System Files

If Windows starts and file corruption is suspected, open Command Prompt using Run as administrator. These commands apply to the running Windows installation.

Before repairing: Back up important files. These tools modify Windows components and protected system files when repairs are needed; they do not provide a simple per-file undo operation.

Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to repair the Windows component store:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After DISM completes successfully, run System File Checker (SFC):

sfc /scannow

Allow both operations to finish. DISM normally obtains repair content through Windows Update. If it fails, record the error and resolve the repair-source problem before continuing. Do not use the online DISM command from Windows RE to repair the installed Windows system. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="10"}

Verify: If SFC repairs files, restart and test again. If it finds no integrity violations, move to another diagnostic branch. If it cannot repair files, follow Microsoft’s SFC guidance rather than downloading replacement system files from third-party websites. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="11"}

7. Check the File System When Storage Is Suspect

For an NTFS Windows volume assigned drive letter C:, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

chkdsk C: /scan

This performs an online NTFS scan. Substitute the actual Windows volume letter if different. Read the result before deciding whether repairs are needed.

Data warning: Back up files before file-system repairs. Changes have no simple undo. If the drive is disconnecting, reporting hardware failures, or losing data, prioritize recovery and professional assessment before additional repair attempts.

If the report requires repair, the following command fixes file-system errors:

chkdsk C: /f

If prompted because the volume is in use, agree to schedule the check and restart when ready. Allow it to complete. Review the report and repeat the scan to check for remaining errors. Recurring corruption requires further storage diagnosis; a successful file-system repair does not establish that the physical drive is healthy. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="12"}

8. Advanced Troubleshooting: Examine Crash Dumps

A memory dump records information from a crash. Small dumps, when configured and successfully written, are normally stored in %SystemRoot%\Minidump. Their limited contents may not reveal the original cause. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="13"}

An IT technician can open a dump in Microsoft WinDbg and enter the following in the debugger command window, not Command Prompt:

!analyze -v

This displays detailed bug-check analysis. Compare multiple dumps and assess the call stack and implicated modules together. Reading an accessible dump does not inherently require administrator rights, although copying protected dump files may require elevation. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="14"}

Privacy warning: Memory dumps can contain sensitive information. Share them only through a trusted support channel, not a public forum or unrestricted file link.

Treat a displayed filename as an investigative lead. Do not delete a Windows component merely because a crash report names it.

9. Restore Windows if a Recent Change Cannot Be Reversed

If a suitable restore point exists, open Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore. Choose a point before the crashes began and select Scan for affected programs before proceeding.

If Windows cannot start, use Windows RE > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore. System Restore reverts system configuration, drivers, and programs without targeting personal files. Still keep a separate backup and review the affected-program list. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="15"}

When the evidence specifically implicates a Windows update, Windows RE also offers Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates. Treat removal as a recovery measure and check for a corrected update afterward. Resetting or reinstalling Windows should follow hardware assessment and backup, because recovery choices can remove applications or data. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="16"}

How to Confirm the Problem Is Resolved

Restart normally and repeat the task that previously triggered the crash.
Test relevant conditions, such as sleep and resume or use of the affected device.
Monitor for longer than the previous typical interval between failures.
Record any new stop code separately rather than assuming it has the same cause.
If crashes continue, provide support with the timeline, driver versions, diagnostic results, and available dumps.

One successful restart is encouraging but insufficient to establish that an intermittent fault is resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I replace RAM immediately?

No. Use diagnostic evidence first. Replacing parts without isolating the fault can add cost while leaving the original problem unresolved.

Will resetting Windows fix this error?

It may address a software problem, but it cannot repair defective hardware. Complete relevant hardware checks before choosing a reset.

Should I download a replacement for the named driver file?

Install the complete, compatible driver package from its official vendor. Avoid standalone driver files from download sites.

Can I keep using the computer after one crash?

Back up your work and monitor it. Repeated crashes, damaged files, or diagnostic failures warrant prompt investigation.

How can I reduce the chance of recurrence?

Maintain backups, use compatible vendor drivers, keep Windows within a supported servicing arrangement, and record major configuration changes. Address recurring hardware errors instead of repeatedly reinstalling software.

Sources

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