0x000000EF (CRITICAL PROCESS DIED) – Fix for Windows

Get the fix to the 0x000000EF: CRITICAL PROCESS DIED boot error message affecting Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

Contents

About the “0x000000EF” error

The following information on this error has been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies, based on the information gathered and reported by our global network of engineers, developers, and technicians or partner organizations.

Description and Symptoms

The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.

Symptom 1: 0x000000EF error screen on startup

This error occurs on Windows startup when a key Windows system process fails to run properly. This can be caused by system file corruption, incorrect device drivers, or damaged file system. Here is a screenshot of this error on newer systems:

0x000000EF error screen

Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you. (0% complete)

If you'd like to know more, you can search online for the error: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

Causes of this Error

This error has been known to occur as a result of one or more of the following:

Cause 1: Bad device drivers on misconfigured Windows service

The most common cause of this error is a Windows service that encounters a serious error on startup, or a misconfigured or buggy device driver that crashes on startup.

Cause 2: Corrupt system files

A damaged system driver could also be a cause of this error. This may happen because of virus attacks, power outages or disk write errors.

Fixing “0x000000EF” on Windows

Windows Setup CD/DVD Required!
Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.

Fix #1: Run a clean boot

Clean booting your Windows versions can help you troubleshoot if the 0x000000EF error is caused by third-party device or driver you’ve recently installed. When you clean boot Windows, your computer will boot only with the most necessary processes and services that Windows needs to run.

Follow these steps to clean boot a Windows XP, Vista or 7 system:

  1. Start Windows and click Start
  2. Type msconfig in the search box (for Windows Vista and 7 systems) or open Run > type msconfig (for Windows XP systems)
  3. Press Enter
  4. Go to Generalmsconfig in Windows XP
  5. Check Selective Startup
  6. Uncheck Load startup items
  7. Go to Services
  8. Check Hide all Microsoft service
  9. Click Disable all
  10. Click OK
  11. Restart your Windows

Follow these steps to clean boot a Windows 8 or 8.1 system:

  1. Follow the same steps from Windows XP/Vista/7 above
  2. Go to Startup
    msconfig in Windows 8, 8.1

    msconfig in Windows 8, 8.1

  3. Disable all startup items
  4. Restart your Windows 8/8.1

Fix #2: Update drivers

The error 0x000000EF might be triggered by a corrupt device driver or by a driver that hasn’t been updated to be compatible with your Windows version.

If you recently installed a new hardware device and/or device driver, follow these steps to open Device Manager and install the drivers manually for all your new hardware:

  1. Click Start
  2. Type devmgmt.msc in the search box and click on devmgmt or Device Manager from the search results list
  3. Right-click on the drive driver
  4. Click UpdateDevice Manager: Update Driver Software

Following these steps will update the device driver manually assuming you have the latest compatible version from the device manufacturer.

If you’d like to update the drivers automatically, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start
  2. Type devices and printers in the search box
  3. Right-click on your computer’s name from the list and then click Device Installation Settings
  4. Select Yes, do this automatically and then click Save Changes

Fix #3: Repair corrupted system files with the SFC command

On Windows Vista and Windows 7, it is possible to use the built-in Windows SFC(system file checker) tool to automatically scan a computer’s system files and repair them if necessary.

Here are the steps to run SFC:

  1. Boot from your Windows install disc
  2. Click on Repair your computer after selecting proper language, time and keyboard input.
  3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\, and click Next
  4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box appears
  5. Write the following command and press Enter afterwards: 
    sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows\

    Replace D: with the letter of the driver where Windows is installed, and D:\Windows with the Windows folder location.

Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should look like once the sfc.exe scan is complete and missing files are successfully restored:

System files restored by the SFC utility

System files restored by the SFC utility

Fix #4: Reinstall Windows

If Fix #1 and Fix #2 doesn’t work to fix 0x000000EF error, you can try to reinstall your Windows.

Reinstalling Windows might cause your personal files to be deleted. You can use Easy Recovery Essentials’ Browse/Backup Files feature to backup your files before doing so, if you can’t boot into Windows.

To reinstall a Windows Vista or 7 system, follow these steps:

  1. Insert the install Windows Vista or 7 CD/DVD and restart your computer
  2. Press any key to boot from the CD/DVD when prompted to do so
  3. At Install Windows, select a language, time and keyboard method
  4. Click Next
  5. Click Install Now
    Windows 7 setup Install Now dialog, with repair your computer link

    Install Now (Windows 7)

  6. Follow the instructions to complete the process

More Information

Support Links

Applicable Systems

This Windows-related knowledgebase article applies to the following operating systems:

  • Windows XP (all editions)
  • Windows Vista (all editions)
  • Windows 7 (all editions)
  • Windows 8 (all editions)
  • Windows 8.1 (all editions)
  • Windows 10 (all editions)

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