Hey everyone, I've been facing some frustrating Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) errors on my computer. It happened twice today right after I shut down and rebooted my laptop. I've found the dump files from each crash and uploaded them for reference. One error was a kernel_security_check_failure (code 139), and the other was a secure_kernel_error (code 18b). I have a few questions:
- How can I narrow down the specific cause of these crashes? I've read that it could be related to RAM or the graphics card, but I'm not sure how to investigate that.
- Are these two errors similar in nature? How critical are they?
- Would it make sense to do a fresh install of Windows 11 since my laptop is still operational?
- Should I also consider updating to the latest version of Windows 11?
Just so you know, I tried running DISM and System File Checker, but it seems like nothing was fixed based on what I could understand from the logs. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
The two errors you’re seeing are related, but they’re not exactly the same. They both indicate issues with the Windows kernel security, but the specific causes can differ. It’s best to look into what’s triggering them specifically by analyzing those dump files and checking system settings or recent hardware changes. Best of luck!
Doing a fresh install of Windows 11 can sometimes fix underlying system issues, but it's a big step. If your laptop is still running well and you've backed up your data, it might be worth considering—especially if these crashes keep happening. However, if you can resolve the driver and kernel issues first, that could save you the hassle of reinstalling. And yes, also check if you need to update to the newest Windows version. Those updates can contain important fixes.
It might be a good idea to run Lenovo Vantage to ensure all your drivers and software are updated. The latest dump file points to your BIOS version being quite a bit out of date. The current version is QXCN21WW, whereas your system is on QXCN14WW. Keeping your drivers up to date can resolve many issues, including BSoDs, because outdated software can lead to system errors.
To get a better handle on those BSoD issues, you'll definitely want to analyze the dump files. They contain crash logs that can pinpoint what's causing the problem. If you can get back into Windows (or Safe Mode if needed), check the C:WindowsMinidump directory for dump files. If you find any, zip them up and upload them to a file sharing site like Catbox or MediaFire, since some hosts tend to get blocked. More dump files can really help us identify the root of the issue. Additionally, consider changing your dump settings to ensure you capture small memory dumps in the future for easier troubleshooting.

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