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PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA — BSOD Memory and Driver Crash on Windows

Criticalbsod

Overview

Fix Windows BSOD PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA caused by faulty RAM, driver bugs, corrupted page files, or incompatible hardware accessing invalid memory.

Key Details

  • PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (0x00000050) occurs when Windows references invalid memory that should always be in RAM
  • The nonpaged pool is memory that cannot be swapped to disk — it must always be available
  • A driver or system service is attempting to access memory at an address that does not exist or is corrupted
  • The BSOD typically shows the faulting driver name (e.g., ntfs.sys, win32k.sys, or a third-party driver)
  • This error can be caused by both software (drivers) and hardware (RAM) issues

Common Causes

  • Faulty RAM module causing random memory corruption
  • Buggy driver accessing deallocated or invalid memory addresses
  • Corrupted page file (pagefile.sys) on disk
  • Recently installed hardware or driver incompatible with the system

Steps

  1. 1Note the driver name shown on the BSOD (e.g., xxx.sys) — this identifies the faulting component
  2. 2Run Windows Memory Diagnostic: search 'Windows Memory Diagnostic' > Restart now and check for problems
  3. 3If a specific driver is named: update or roll back that driver via Device Manager
  4. 4Delete and recreate the page file: System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > No paging file > restart > re-enable
  5. 5Run memtest86+ from a USB boot drive for thorough RAM testing (minimum 2 passes, ideally overnight)

Tags

bsodpage-faultnonpaged-areamemorydriver

Related Items

windows-error-0xc000021a-critical-process

More in Bsod

windows-0000000A-irql-not-less-or-equalWindows Error 0x0000000A — IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL
Critical
windows-00000050-page-fault-in-nonpaged-areaWindows Error 0x00000050 — PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA
Critical
windows-0000007E-system-thread-exception-not-handledWindows Error 0x0000007E — SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
Critical
windows-0000007A-kernel-data-inpage-errorWindows Error 0x0000007A — KERNEL DATA INPAGE ERROR
Critical
windows-000000EF-critical-process-diedWindows Error 0x000000EF — CRITICAL PROCESS DIED
Critical
windows-00000133-dpc-watchdog-violationWindows Error 0x00000133 — DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION
Critical

Frequently Asked Questions

Run memtest86+ from a bootable USB overnight. Any errors indicate faulty RAM. Also try removing one RAM stick at a time and running the system to identify the failing module.