How to Fix the System Service Exception Error in Windows 11

The SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION error it’s a type of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that indicates that a system service or driver has encountered an issue. Usually, System services are essential background processes that keep the operating system running smoothly. They handle various tasks, from managing hardware to providing network connectivity. If, for some reason, the system service encounters a problem, such as a corrupted file, a faulty driver, or a hardware malfunction, it can throw an exception. This signals that the service can no longer perform its intended function. The operating system interprets this exception as a critical error and displays the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message, which in this case is the System Service Exception error. It can also list a specific file or driver (e.g., ntfs.sys, win32k.sys, dxgmms2.sys) that caused the crash.

What causes the System Service Exception Error?

The “System Service Exception” error occurs when the operating system encounters a critical issue it cannot recover from. According to Microsoft, the error is commonly linked to outdated drivers, corrupted system files, or hardware problems.

• Outdated or corrupted drivers: Incompatible or faulty device drivers (especially for display drivers) are the primary reason for the blue screen of death error on Windows 11.
• Corrupted system files: System files are essential for the proper functioning of the operating system. Corruption in these files can lead to various problems, including BSOD errors.
• Hardware issues: Again, Hardware problems, such as a failing hard drive or faulty RAM, can also trigger system service exceptions error BSOD.
• Third-party software: Some third-party software, such as antivirus programs or other utilities, can sometimes interfere with system processes and cause errors.
• Malware or viruses: Malicious software can interfere with system processes, leading to BSOD errors.

Disconnect External Devices and Restart Windows

External peripherals such as USB drives, printers, and external hard disks can sometimes cause conflicts with system drivers, leading to BSOD errors like System Service Exception. Let’s first disconnect them and reboot Windows to clear temporary glitches that might be causing the error.

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete or hold the power button to shut down your computer completely.
• Unplug all non-essential external devices (USB devices, printers, game controllers, etc.).
• Power on your PC and observe if the error persists.
• If the issue is resolved, reconnect the devices one by one while restarting in between to identify the problematic hardware.

Boot into Safe Mode

If your PC is stuck in a restart loop or Windows 11 frequently reboots after showing the System Service Exception BSOD, booting into Safe Mode can help you diagnose and fix the problem without interference from third-party drivers or startup programs.
If you’re stuck in a restart loop, interrupt the boot process 2–3 times by holding the power button to force shutdown during startup. This will trigger Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.

• Click Restart, then press F4 or F5 to boot into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking.

Safe Mode loads Windows with only essential drivers and services. This stripped-down environment makes it easier to isolate and resolve issues caused by faulty drivers, software conflicts, or malware that might be triggering the BSOD.

Update Windows 11

Microsoft frequently releases hotfixes and driver updates that patch known bugs and compatibility issues that could cause BSOD errors like SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION. Installing the latest Windows updates also ensures that you’re protected by the latest security patches and performance improvements.

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to Windows Update from the sidebar.
• Click Check for updates.
• Install all available updates and restart your PC if prompted.

Well, if you notice this blue screen error started after a recent Windows update, try Uninstall it following the steps and check if this helps.

• Navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates.
• Select the latest update and click Uninstall
• Restart Windows and check if there is no more SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION error.
• Pause Windows update few weeks to prevent the update from installing again, which may cause the error.

Update or Reinstall Device Drivers

Faulty or outdated drivers, especially for the GPU, Wi-Fi, audio, and chipset, are a common cause of this error. Update or install the latest version, ensure compatibility with Windows 11’s latest kernel functions, and eliminate conflicts caused by legacy code or poorly designed third-party drivers.

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand key categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, and Sound, video and game controllers.
• Right-click on each device and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.

• For problematic devices (yellow alert symbol next to the driver), you can also uninstall and reinstall the driver.

Alternatively, visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest drivers manually. Also, you can use a third-party driver updater tool to scan and update all drivers automatically.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can trigger such BSOD error on Windows 11. Run built-in tools like SFC and DISM restore health command to scan and repair corrupted or missing system files that might be causing system instability or crashes.

• Type cmd in the Start menu, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
• Type command sfc /scannow and press Enter to scan and repair corrupt system files.
• Wait for it to complete, then run DISM command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Restart your PC after the scans complete 100% and check if the error is gone.

The SFC /SCANNOW checks for integrity violations and fixes protected files. DISM restores corrupted system images. It’s particularly helpful if the issue lies deep within Windows update components or the registry.

Scan for Malware or Viruses

Malware infections can alter kernel files, install malicious drivers, or create registry entries that cause different problems on your system. Run a full system scan with Windows Security or a third-party antivirus program to detect and remove malware from your PC.

• Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
• Go to Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
• Choose Full scan and click Scan now.
• Alternatively, use third-party tools like Malwarebytes for deeper scans.

Removing malware that tampers with system processes can stop the SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION error if the root cause is malicious software interference.

Test Your RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic

A Faulty RAM or Memory errors can corrupt processes or cause data to be read improperly, leading to serious system faults like SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION. Running Windows memory diagnostic tool identifies and troubleshoots potential memory problems, which might cause system instability, crashes, or application errors.

• Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
• Choose Restart now and check for problems.
• The PC will reboot and automatically begin memory diagnostics.

Disable fast startup and Hibernate

Most of the time, Windows 11’s hybrid shutdown feature (fast startup) can cause BSOD error while getting up from sleep mode. If you are getting the blue screen while waking up from sleep mode, we recommend disabling hibernation and the fast startup option.

1. Open the control panel, then search for and open “Power options.”
2. Click “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left side of the window.
3. Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
4. Under “Shutdown settings,” uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and Hibernate.

Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

An outdated BIOS can create compatibility issues with newer drivers or Windows kernel updates, leading to system errors. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates and follow their instructions carefully

• Identify your motherboard model (use msinfo32 or check your PC/laptop specs).
• Visit the official manufacturer’s website.
• Download the latest BIOS version and follow the provided flashing instructions carefully.

Warning: BIOS updates carry some risk. Follow instructions precisely or consult your manufacturer’s support if unsure.

Reset Windows 11 (Last Resort)

If none of the above methods work, resetting Windows 11 allows you to reinstall the OS without losing your files. A reset removes system file corruption, third-party drivers, and conflicting software, giving you a clean slate to start fresh.

• Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
• Under Recovery options, click Reset PC.
• Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything based on your preference.
• Follow on-screen prompts to complete the reset.