Solved: 0x00000007 INVALID_SOFTWARE_INTERRUPT BSOD Crash on Windows 10/11

Short Answer

The **0x00000007 (INVALID_SOFTWARE_INTERRUPT)** Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) occurs when your system detects an invalid software interrupt, often related to hardware or driver issues. This error can appear during startup, updates, or while using certain applications. While it may seem technical, you can resolve it with basic troubleshooting steps without needing advanced knowledge.

What Is the 0x00000007 Error?

The **INVALID_SOFTWARE_INTERRUPT** BSOD (stop code: 0x00000007) is a critical system error that forces Windows to stop and display a blue screen. Unlike some other BSODs, this one typically indicates a problem with how software interacts with hardware interrupts, which are signals sent between the CPU and devices like your keyboard, mouse, or storage drives.

The system may then log an event with details such as:
– **Faulting driver:** `ntoskrnl.exe` (Windows kernel)
– **Crash address:** A memory location where the invalid interrupt occurred
– **Error code:** 0x00000007

This error can happen in Windows 10 or 11, often during startup, updates, or when using specific hardware.

Common Causes of the 0x00000007 BSOD

The **INVALID_SOFTWARE_INTERRUPT** BSOD is usually triggered by one or more of the following issues:

– **Faulty or outdated drivers**, especially those for:
– Keyboard or mouse
– Storage controllers (SATA, NVMe)
– Network adapters
– Graphics cards

– **Corrupted system files**, particularly in core Windows components like `ntoskrnl.exe` (the kernel) or `hal.dll`.

– **Hardware problems**, such as:
– A failing hard drive or SSD
– Faulty RAM modules

– **Malware or system instability** affecting low-level system operations.

– **Windows updates or recent changes** that introduce conflicts, especially after installing new drivers or updating Windows.

Step-by-Step Fixes for 0x00000007

### **1. Check for Hardware Issues**
A failing piece of hardware can cause this BSOD. Start by testing your RAM and storage devices:

– **Test your RAM:**
– Restart your PC.
– Press the **F8** key repeatedly during boot to open Advanced Boot Options.
– Select **Memory Diagnostics Tool**.
– Run a full test and check for errors.

– **Check your hard drive or SSD:**
– Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search for “cmd,” right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”).
– Type the following command to run a disk check:

chkdsk /f /r

– Press **Enter**, then confirm if prompted.
– Wait for the scan to complete. If errors are found, Windows will attempt to fix them.

– **Inspect physical connections:**
– Power off your PC and unplug it from the wall or power source.
– Open the case (if comfortable) and ensure all cables (SATA, power, M.2/SSD) are securely connected.
– Reseat RAM modules if possible.

### **2. Update or Reinstall Problematic Drivers**

– **Use Device Manager to update drivers:**
– Press **Win + X** and select **Device Manager**.
– Look under categories like:
– **Keyboards**
– **Mice and other pointing devices**
– **Storage controllers**
– **Network adapters**
– Right-click any device with a yellow exclamation mark (or those that may be problematic) and choose **Update driver**.

– **Reinstall drivers manually:**
– Restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

– **Roll back drivers if needed:**
– If you recently updated a driver and the BSOD started after that, try rolling it back:
– In Device Manager, right-click the driver (e.g., mouse or keyboard) and select **Properties**.
– Go to the **Driver** tab.
– Click **Roll Back Driver** if available.

### **3. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM**
Corrupted system files can cause this BSOD. Use built-in tools to repair them:

– **Run SFC:**
– Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
– Type the following command and press **Enter**:

sfc /scannow

– Wait for the scan to finish (it may take a few minutes).
– Restart your PC afterward.

– **Run DISM:**
– Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
– Type the following command and press **Enter**:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

– Wait for the process to complete (this may take longer than SFC).
– Restart your PC.

– **Combine both tools:**
– Sometimes, running DISM first helps SFC detect deeper issues. Try this sequence:
– Run `DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth`
– Wait for completion
– Run `sfc /scannow`

### **4. Disable Fast Startup (Hybrid Shutdown)**
Fast Startup can sometimes cause conflicts, especially if you recently shut down or restarted your PC. Disabling it may help:

– **Turn off Fast Startup:**
– Open **Control Panel** (search for “control panel” in the Start menu).
– Go to **Power Options**.
– Click **Choose what the power buttons do**.
– Click **Change settings that are currently unavailable**.
– Uncheck **Turn on fast startup (recommended)**.
– Click **Save changes**.

– **Restart your PC:**
– After disabling Fast Startup, restart your system to see if the BSOD persists.

### **5. Check for Malware**
Malware can interfere with low-level system operations and trigger this error. Run a full scan:

– **Use Windows Defender:**
– Open **Windows Security** (search in the Start menu).
– Go to **Virus & threat protection**.
– Click **Quick scan**, then wait for results.
– If no threats are found, proceed with a **Full scan**.

– **Scan with third-party antivirus (optional):**
– If you prefer additional scanning, use reputable tools like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender.
– Run a full system scan and remove any detected malware.

### **6. Test for Driver Conflicts Using Safe Mode**

– **Boot into Safe Mode:**
– Press **Win + R**, type `msconfig`, and press **Enter**.
– Go to the **Boot** tab.
– Check **Safe boot** under **Boot options**.
– Select **Network** (if needed) and click **OK**.
– Restart your PC.

– **Uninstall recently installed drivers:**
– Open Device Manager in Safe Mode.
– Look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark or those that may have been updated recently.
– Right-click and select **Uninstall device**.
– Restart your PC to reinstall the driver (or manually update it later).

### **7. Check Event Viewer for Clues**

– **Open Event Viewer:**
– Press **Win + X** and select **Event Viewer**.
– Navigate to:
– **Windows Logs > System**
– Look for errors around the time of the crash.

– **Search for “INVALID_SOFTWARE_INTERRUPT”:**
– In Event Viewer, press **Ctrl + F**, type `0x00000007`, and check if any detailed logs appear.
– If you see a specific driver or hardware component mentioned, focus troubleshooting there.

### **8. Perform a Clean Boot to Identify Software Conflicts**
A clean boot starts Windows with only essential drivers, helping isolate conflicts

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Last Updated: December 07, 2025
Tested on: Windows 10 (22H2) & Windows 11 (23H2)