BSOD and USB devices working intermittently (Windows 10)

Understanding and Troubleshooting BSOD and USB Device Issues on Windows 10

If you’re experiencing recurring Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors coupled with intermittent USB device functionality on Windows 10, you’re not alone. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of hardware or software conflicts, and addressing them methodically can help restore system stability.

Overview of the Issue

Many users report encountering the “Kernel Security Check Failure” error, often shortly after attempting software updates or peripheral device configurations. Common contributing factors include incompatible device drivers, corrupted system files, and hardware malfunctions. Additionally, issues with USB devices—such as flickering lights or input lag—may coincide with broader system stability problems.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Identify Recent Changes and Isolate the Problem

2. Review any recent hardware or software installations, updates, or driver modifications.

3. Temporarily disconnect problematic USB devices to determine if they are contributing to system instability.

4. Update and Reinstall Device Drivers

5. For peripherals like gaming controllers or mice, ensure drivers are up to date.

6. Uninstall existing drivers via Device Manager and reinstall the latest versions from official sources.

7. Address Software Conflicts and Reinstall Applications

8. If issues began after installing or updating specific software (e.g., Razer Synapse), consider reinstalling or rolling back to previous versions.

9. When encountering installation errors (such as missing MSI files), repair or reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables, which are common dependencies.

10. Run System File Checker and Memory Diagnostics

11. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run: sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files.

12. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to check RAM integrity:

    • Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and follow prompts.
    • Note: Ensure to save your work as the system will require a reboot.

13. Check for Windows Updates and System Stability

14. Ensure Windows is fully updated, as patches often fix known bugs.

15. Consider performing a system restore to revert to a stable state prior to issues.

16. Review and Analyze Crash Dumps

17. Use tools like WinDbg or BlueScreenView to analyze BSOD dump files for specific error codes and driver issues.

18. Safe Boot and Minimal Environment Testing

19. Boot into Safe Mode to test if issues persist without third-party driver interference.

20. If the system stabilizes,