TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0X00000012) Blue Screen Fix Guide (Windows 10/11)

The TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0x00000012) blue screen error, also known as a Stop Error or BSOD (Blue Screen of Death), is a critical system failure that can occur in Windows 10 and 11. This error typically appears with the message “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” along with the stop code TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0x00000012). While frustrating, this issue is often fixable with the right troubleshooting steps.

What Causes the TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0X00000012) Error?

The 0x00000012 error usually occurs due to hardware or driver-related issues, such as:

Faulty or outdated drivers, especially graphics or chipset drivers.
Corrupted system files due to improper shutdowns or malware.
Hardware conflicts, including RAM or CPU issues.
Overheating or overheating components in your PC.
Incompatible software or drivers installed recently.

How to Fix TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0X00000012) Blue Screen

Method 1: Update or Roll Back Drivers

Outdated or conflicting drivers are a common cause of this error. Follow these steps:

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand categories like Display adapters, System devices, or Chipset drivers to check for yellow warning icons (indicating problematic drivers).
Right-click the device, choose Update driver, then select Search automatically for drivers.
If the issue persists, try rolling back the driver by right-clicking it and selecting Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver (if available).

Method 2: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can trigger this error. Use these built-in tools to repair them:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search for “cmd,” right-click, and choose Run as administrator).
Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
```
sfc /scannow
```

Wait for both processes to complete (this may take several minutes). Restart your PC afterward.

Method 3: Check for Hardware Issues with CHKDSK

If the error is hardware-related, run CHKDSK to check for disk errors:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type:
```
chkdsk C: /f /r
```
(Replace “C:” with your system drive if needed.)
Press Enter, then type Y to confirm and wait for the scan.

Method 4: Test RAM for Errors

Faulty RAM can cause this error. Use Windows’ built-in tool:

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to Performance > Memory, and click Open Resource Monitor.
Check for errors under the Physical Memory section. If issues are found, run a memory test using third-party tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Method 5: Uninstall Recently Installed Software or Drivers

If the error started after installing new software, uninstall it:

Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Find the recently installed program, click it, and select Uninstall.
Restart your PC afterward.

Method 6: Check for Overheating

Overheating can trigger this error. Ensure proper ventilation and use tools like HWMonitor to monitor temperatures. Clean dust from fans and reapply thermal paste if needed.

Preventing Future TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN Errors

To avoid this issue in the future:

Regularly update Windows and drivers.
Avoid abrupt shutdowns (e.g., force restarts).
Use reliable antivirus software to prevent malware-related corruption.
Monitor hardware health with tools like PC Health Check.

FAQ About TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0X00000012)

Is this error hardware or software-related?
It can be either. Drivers, corrupted files, or faulty RAM/CPU are common culprits.
Will a clean install fix it?
Yes, if the issue is due to system corruption, but back up your data first.
Can I safely ignore this error?
No. It indicates a serious problem that may cause data loss or hardware damage if left unresolved.

Final Notes

The TRAP CAUSE UNKNOWN (0x00000012) error is often resolvable with basic troubleshooting. Start with driver updates, system file repairs, and hardware checks. If the issue persists, consider professional diagnostics for deeper hardware problems.

Last Updated: December 13, 2025

Tested on: Windows 10 (22H2) & Windows 11 (23H2)