How to fix Critical Process Died Error in Windows 10

CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Error (Error Code 0x000000EF) appears when an important system process has stopped running. The reasons vary, but the most frequent one lies in incompatible or faulty drivers or programs. Although many Windows users encountered Blue Screen of Death at least once, Win10 users seem to suffer from it the most. For them CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Error is usually caused by device drivers, that are not updated for Windows 10, and incompatible applications, notably antiviruses. Read this guide to find out how to fix CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Error in Windows 10.

Fast Automatic Solution:

Booting into Safe Mode

In Safe Mode your Windows will load only the basic drivers and files. So, if a newly installed driver or program is the problem, all should run smoothly in Safe Mode.

1. If you can access the Start menu, click on Power and then, holding down Shift key, on Restart.
   If the error appears before you can try anything, restart your computer a few times. Eventually you will see ‘Automatic repair’ screen with the possibility of choosing between Restart and ‘Advanced options’. Click on the second one.
2. Click ‘Troubleshoot’ => ‘Advanced options’ => ‘Startup Settings’ => Restart.
3. After the computer restarts, select ‘Enable Safe Mode with Networking’.

If CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Error persists even in Safe Mode, try using System Restore: Repeat step one, then click Troubleshoot => Advanced options => System Restore. For more information on this Windows function read ‘Running Windows System Restore’ further in the guide.

Running System File Checker

This utility finds and restores corrupt system files.

1. Click Win logo+X => ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’.
2. Type ‘sfc /scannow’ and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to complete.

Turning off anti-malware programs

Disable your security software and see if that resolves CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED Error in your Windows 10. Consider uninstalling them if nothing else from this guide helps.

Running Windows System Restore

System Restore allows you to return your system to a state it was in on an earlier date. System files, registry settings and installed programs will be affected, your personal files will not. If you have System Restore enabled, just run it and choose one of the recent restore points, from before the problem appeared.

1. Click Win logo+R.
2. Type rstrui.exe and press Enter.
3. Follow the program’s directions.

Dealing with device drivers

1. Click Win logo+X => ‘Device Manager’.
2. Click View => Show hidden devices.
3. Unfold each category by clicking on little triangle to the left of it.
4. If any of the listed drivers has an exclamation mark in a yellow triangle on its icon, that means the driver is likely faulty. Update, disable or uninstall it. See if that helps.
5. If a driver has a red X on its icon, something is wrong with the device itself or with the connection. Try reconnecting it, or else disconnect entirely. See if that helps.
6. If you can find nothing wrong with the drivers, try updating them. Look on device manufacturers’ sites for drivers updated for Windows 10.