The emergence of the Purple Screen of Death, or PSOD, has added another layer of fear for Windows users, alongside the infamous Blue Screen of Death. The presence of these error screens is closely tied to the Windows operating system, making it feel incomplete without them.
However, setting jokes aside, let us delve into one of the critical BSOD errors encountered by Windows users. Today, we will address the PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR, an issue that unexpectedly arises and causes a system shutdown after displaying a Blue Screen.
What is PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR on Windows?
Prior to delving into the root cause of the error encountered on Windows, it is crucial to acknowledge that this particular error is frequently linked with various other stop codes, including 0x000000CA (0x01681690, 0xEA96A7BE, 0x938A81AD, 0xF8362881).
The PNP DETECTED FATAL ERROR on Windows is typically triggered when the operating system is unable to identify a suitable driver for the connected Plug and Play devices.
If you have recently added a plug-and-play hardware component to your computer and Windows is unable to locate the necessary driver, you may encounter the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This error can also occur as a result of incompatible, outdated, or damaged driver files, highlighting the importance of addressing driver-related issues. Therefore, troubleshooting efforts should primarily focus on resolving driver-related issues. If resolving driver problems does not resolve the error, you may consider attempting the following solutions.
- Reconnect the newly installed hardware.
- Disable the BIOS Memory Options.
- Update all Device Drivers.
- Run the Disk Check Utility.
- Check and rule out the hardware issues.
- Perform a System Restore.
- Update the Windows Operating System.
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1. Remove the Newly Installed Hardware
The primary cause of the PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR on Windows is the recent installation of hardware. It is possible that you encountered this error after installing new hardware, such as a webcam, microphone, mouse, keyboard, or any other device. To determine if the hardware is causing the error, you should temporarily remove it and observe if the error persists.
If the error is resolved and no longer appears after removing the hardware, then you have identified the culprit.
2. Update or Roll Back Device Drivers
If removing the hardware did not provide a solution, you may consider attempting to update or revert the device driver updates. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to update or roll back drivers on Windows.
1. Press the Windows Key + R button to open the RUN dialog box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc on the RUN dialog box and press Enter.
4. On the prompt, select Search automatically for drivers.
How to Roll Back Drivers?
If the error on Windows persists even after updating the drivers, it is necessary to revert back to the previous version of the device drivers. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Open the RUN dialog box by pressing the Windows Key + R button.
2. Type devmgmt.msc on the RUN dialog box and press Enter.
3. Now right-click on the drivers (Keyboards, mice, headphones, etc.) and select Properties.
4. On the Properties, switch to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.
Now the operating system will roll back the device drivers you have selected. Once the process is complete, restart your PC.
3. Check the Disk for Errors
Several Windows users have reported resolving the PnP Detected Fatal Error BSOD by utilizing the Disk Check utility (ChkDSK). Therefore, it is advisable to attempt this method as well in order to enhance the likelihood of resolving the issue.
1 Launch the Windows File Explorer.
2 Locate the System installation drive (C: Drive) and right-click to access the Properties option.
3 Within the properties window, navigate to the Tools tab.
4 Proceed by clicking on the Check button located under Error checking.
5 When prompted with the Error checking dialog, select the Scan Drive option.
Now, the Disk Check utility will run. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the disk error-checking process.
4. Uninstall the Security Program
Occasionally, security software, such as Norton Antivirus, may cause a PNP-detected fatal error within the Windows operating system.
A number of individuals have shared that eliminating the security software and recently added programs has assisted them in resolving the 0x000000CA Error.
It is necessary to access the Control Panel and remove all programs, including the security utilities that were recently installed on your device.
1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the RUN dialog box.
2. In the dialog box, enter appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.
3. The Control Panel will then be displayed.
4. Proceed to remove any security programs that were recently installed.
5. Additionally, uninstall any other recently installed programs.
6. To uninstall, simply right-click on the program and choose Uninstall.
That’s it! After the uninstallation, make sure to restart your Windows computer.
5. Update Your Windows Operating System
Updating your operating system is crucial to avoid encountering the PNP Detected Fatal Error BSOD caused by an outdated system version. For Windows users, it is highly recommended to regularly update the operating system to benefit from new features, security patches, and reduced bugs and glitches.
1. In case you have not recently updated your operating system, navigate to Settings, then Windows Update, and proceed to select the Check for Updates option. Windows will then proceed to automatically locate and download any pending operating system and security updates.
