I'm curious if external devices like mice, keyboards, monitors, or adapters can actually lead to a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on my PC. I want to know if things like HDMI cables, USB Wi-Fi adapters, or other USB devices could cause these crashes, even if my system seems fine otherwise. Has anyone experienced a BSOD due to these types of peripherals?
3 Answers
For sure, USB devices like Wi-Fi dongles can definitely cause problems, especially if the drivers aren't up to date or if they're from lesser-known brands. I've seen poorly made WiFi adapters crash systems just from being plugged in. Mice and keyboards might cause issues, but it's pretty rare with modern hardware—USB ports failing or faulty drives are more common culprits.
It's possible, but not something I've encountered myself. Usually, peripherals like mice and keyboards are pretty safe.
Yes, technically any device that draws power could cause a BSOD. If you're having issues, check your system logs for critical errors; that might help you pinpoint the cause.

I've been struggling with this for a while. I took my PC to a tech who reinstalled Windows, and it worked fine for him. But once I got it back home, the BSOD returned, which is so frustrating.