How to Fix SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Blue Screen Error (0x0000006E)

Quick Answer

SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED (0x0000006E) is a Windows stop error indicating that the operating system failed during initialization. The first parameter of this bug check contains the NT status code associated with the initialization failure.

Start by disconnecting recently added peripherals, checking whether Windows can start in Safe Mode, and using Windows Recovery Environment if the computer cannot boot normally. If the problem began after a driver, application, or Windows update, investigate that change first. The stop code alone does not identify a single confirmed cause or guarantee that a particular repair will work.

What Does SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Mean?

Windows uses initialization processes to prepare the operating system for normal operation. The bug check 0x0000006E indicates that initialization of the Windows operating system failed during the stage identified as Session 2.

A bug check, also called a stop error or Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), causes Windows to stop rather than continue operating in a potentially unstable state.

Microsoft documents this error primarily as a technical reference for developers and system-level troubleshooting. The error name by itself does not establish whether the underlying problem involves Windows files, a driver, a recent configuration change, or hardware.

Symptoms

A computer experiencing this stop error may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

• A blue screen displaying SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED.
• The stop code 0x0000006E appears during startup.
• Windows restarts unexpectedly after displaying the error.
• The computer repeatedly fails to reach the sign-in screen.
• Windows starts normally after a restart but encounters the same error again later.

These are possible symptoms of a startup-related failure, not a definitive checklist for every occurrence of this bug check.

Common Causes and Diagnostic Considerations

The bug check identifies an initialization failure, but it does not establish one universal root cause. Investigate recent changes and supporting diagnostic information before replacing hardware or making major system changes.

• Recent driver or software changes: A newly installed or updated component may be relevant if the error began immediately afterward.
• Windows updates or configuration changes: Investigate recent changes when the timing matches the failure.
• Windows startup or system-file problems: Use supported recovery and repair tools when other evidence points to damaged or inconsistent Windows components.
• Hardware or peripheral issues: Newly connected devices or a hardware fault may warrant investigation, particularly when other symptoms are present.
• Insufficient diagnostic information: The bug-check parameters, crash dump, and system logs may be needed to narrow down the cause.

These are investigation paths rather than confirmed causes specific to every 0x0000006E error.

Before You Begin

• Record the exact stop code and any additional error information shown on the screen.
• Note whether the error started after a Windows update, driver installation, software installation, or hardware change.
• If Windows still starts, back up important files before performing repairs.
• If the device uses BitLocker or another device-encryption feature, make sure the required recovery key is available before entering recovery tools or changing startup configuration.
• For a business computer, consult the system administrator before removing managed software, changing drivers, or modifying security settings.

How to Troubleshoot the Error

1. Restart the Computer and Disconnect New Peripherals

If the error occurred only once, restart the computer and check whether Windows starts normally.

1. Shut down the computer if it is safe to do so.
2. Disconnect recently added nonessential USB devices, docks, external storage devices, and other peripherals.
3. Leave essential components such as the keyboard, mouse, and display connected as needed.
4. Start the computer again.

If Windows starts successfully, reconnect devices one at a time and observe whether the error returns. A successful startup does not prove that a disconnected device was responsible, but it can help narrow the investigation.

2. Start Windows in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services. If the computer works in Safe Mode but fails during a normal startup, a driver, service, or other startup-related component may warrant investigation.

If Windows cannot start normally, enter Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Depending on the device, WinRE may open automatically after repeated startup failures. You can also use Windows installation or recovery media when necessary.

1. Open Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, where these options are available.
3. After the restart, choose the Safe Mode option displayed on the screen. Select Safe Mode with Networking only if network access is required.
4. If Windows starts, back up important files and investigate recent drivers, applications, and system changes.

Menu labels can vary by Windows version and recovery configuration. If Safe Mode also fails, continue with recovery options rather than repeatedly attempting the same startup procedure.

3. Investigate Recently Installed Drivers and Software

If the problem began after installing or updating a driver or application, investigate that change first.

1. Open Device Manager if Windows can start.
2. Check for devices displaying warning indicators.
3. For a device associated with the timing of the failure, open its properties and review the available driver information.
4. If the problem began immediately after a driver update, use the Roll Back Driver option if it is available and appropriate.
5. If a recently installed application is strongly associated with the problem, uninstall it using its supported uninstallation method.

Use drivers supplied by Windows Update or the computer or hardware manufacturer's official website. Do not install unrelated driver packages simply because they claim to repair blue screen errors.

If Windows cannot start, consider an appropriate System Restore point or another supported recovery option instead of attempting manual driver-file replacement.

4. Use Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a Windows Recovery Environment tool designed to diagnose and repair certain problems that prevent Windows from starting. It may help if the stop error is accompanied by a broader startup failure, although it is not a guaranteed repair for SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED.

1. Enter Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
3. Select the Windows installation if prompted.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the process to finish.
5. Restart the computer and check whether Windows starts normally.

If Startup Repair reports that it could not repair the computer, record the result and continue with the recovery option that best matches the circumstances.

5. Use System Restore if the Error Began After a Recent Change

System Restore can return supported system files, installed applications, drivers, and system settings to the state represented by a restore point. It is particularly worth considering when the problem began after a system change.

1. Open Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore, if available.
3. Choose an appropriate restore point dated before the problem started.
4. Review the affected programs and drivers when that information is available.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the restoration, then test Windows startup.

System Restore availability depends on the device configuration and whether a suitable restore point exists. It is not a substitute for backing up personal files.

6. Check Windows Updates and System Integrity

If Windows starts normally or can start in Safe Mode, install appropriate Windows updates after backing up important files. If the issue began immediately after an update, consider the relevant recovery options rather than assuming that installing more updates will necessarily solve it.

If there is evidence of damaged Windows system files, you can run the built-in System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management tools from an elevated Command Prompt or Windows Terminal.

Requirement: Windows must be sufficiently functional to run these tools. Open the terminal as an administrator.

First, check and repair the Windows component store:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After DISM completes, run System File Checker:

sfc /scannow

DISM checks and repairs the online Windows image where possible. System File Checker checks protected system files and attempts to repair detected integrity problems.

Review the messages returned by each command. If either tool reports that it could not complete the repair, preserve the exact message for further diagnosis. These commands are general Windows integrity checks and do not specifically guarantee a fix for bug check 0x0000006E.

Advanced Troubleshooting for IT Professionals

Review the Bug-Check Parameters and Crash Dump

For a technical investigation, record the complete bug-check information rather than relying on the error name alone.

Microsoft documents the parameters for bug check 0x6E as follows:

• Parameter 1: The NT status code that caused Windows to conclude that initialization failed.
• Parameters 2, 3, and 4: Zero.

The first parameter may provide a useful diagnostic direction, but it must be interpreted in context. Do not assume that a particular status code proves a specific driver or hardware component is faulty.

If a crash dump is available, a qualified technician can use Microsoft's Windows debugging tools to inspect the bug check and associated diagnostic data. Follow the official debugging documentation and use symbols appropriate to the Windows build being investigated.

Review System and Reliability Information

If Windows can start, inspect relevant Windows event logs and Reliability Monitor entries around the time the failure began. Correlate timestamps with recent driver installations, updates, application changes, and unexpected restarts.

Logs may provide supporting evidence, but they do not always identify the root cause. Avoid attributing the failure to an event merely because it occurred at approximately the same time.

Check Hardware When Evidence Supports It

If the computer continues to crash after software and recovery checks, investigate hardware using the manufacturer's supported diagnostics. Memory, storage, power, or other hardware problems should be considered when symptoms and test results support that direction.

Do not replace RAM, storage, or other components solely because this stop code appeared. For systems that require opening the chassis, follow electrical safety precautions and consider warranty restrictions or professional service.

What to Do if Windows Still Will Not Start

If the error persists after the preceding steps, use the following decision guide:

• Windows starts in Safe Mode: Investigate recently changed drivers, services, applications, and startup components.
• The problem began after a known system change: Consider System Restore or a relevant supported recovery option.
• Startup Repair fails: Record the result and check whether System Restore or another appropriate recovery option is available.
• No recovery option works: Back up accessible data where possible and obtain assistance from a qualified technician or the device manufacturer.

Before resetting or reinstalling Windows, confirm backup availability, encryption recovery requirements, application licensing, and any business recovery procedures. Choose the least disruptive supported option appropriate to the situation.

How to Verify the Repair

After completing a repair, perform these checks:

1. Restart the computer and confirm that Windows reaches the sign-in screen.
2. Sign in and use the computer normally for an appropriate observation period.
3. Check whether the same stop code returns.
4. Review relevant system logs if another unexpected restart occurs.
5. If a peripheral, driver, or application was removed during troubleshooting, reintroduce or reinstall it only when appropriate and test for recurrence.

A successful restart is a useful initial result, but repeated normal startups and the absence of recurring errors provide stronger evidence that the issue has been resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is error 0x0000006E in Windows?

It is the bug-check code for SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED. Microsoft defines it as a failure during Windows operating-system initialization.

Does SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED always mean RAM is faulty?

No. The stop code does not establish a RAM fault. Memory testing may be appropriate when other symptoms or diagnostic results suggest a hardware problem.

Can a driver cause this blue screen?

A driver may be worth investigating when the problem begins after a driver change, but the stop code alone does not confirm that a driver is responsible.

Will Startup Repair fix error 0x0000006E?

Startup Repair can address certain Windows startup problems, but Microsoft does not document it as a guaranteed, specific repair for this bug check.

Can I fix the error without reinstalling Windows?

Possibly. Depending on the underlying cause, restarting, removing a problematic peripheral, investigating a recent driver change, Startup Repair, or System Restore may resolve the problem. Reinstallation should not be the first step.

What information should I give a technician?

Provide the exact stop code, any displayed parameters, the Windows version if known, the timing of the failure, recent system changes, recovery attempts and their results, and relevant crash-dump information when available. Do not share passwords or encryption recovery keys in public support posts.

Sources

• Microsoft Learn: Bug Check 0x6E — SESSION2_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
• Microsoft Support: Troubleshooting Windows unexpected restarts and stop code errors
• Microsoft Support: Recovery options in Windows
• Microsoft Support: Windows support and troubleshooting resources
• Microsoft Learn: Windows debugging documentation