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How To Fix Kernel Security Check Failure stop code in Windows 10

Seeing the BSOD error when booting your Windows 10 computer and not knowing what to do can be upsetting. Usually, the blue screen of death will feature a specific stop code that may hint at the cause of the error. One of the most common ones reported by users is the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE stop code. So what should you do if you are getting this problem?

Most of us turn to the internet to look for help in the form of a guide that offers practical solutions for the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE issue. Today’s article is a guide that provides multiple fixes for the Windows 10 error that have been shared by experts and are proven to be effective.

Thankfully, the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error isn’t a huge problem, and it’s fixable if you know what needs to be done.

Before discussing the solutions, let’s take a look at the most common causes of the kernel security check failure blue screen stop code.

  • Conflicting installed software
  • Memory issues
  • Viruses
  • Incompatible or outdated drivers
  • Corrupted or damaged hard disk
  • Corrupted Windows system files

Knowing the root cause of the error will help you narrow down the solution you need to resolve kernel security check failure in Windows 8//8.1/10.

We suggest that before trying any fixes provided in this guide, you perform a complete virus scan to ensure that a virus doesn’t cause the issue.

We also recommend creating backups of all important files in case of accidental data loss. Now we can proceed with the different methods of fixing the 7 kernel security check failure windows 10 issue.

Enable legacy advanced boot menu

  1. Restart the system and put a Windows 10 bootable media into the optical drive.
  2. Click Next on the Windows Setup box.
  3. Then click on Repair your computer.
  4. Click Troubleshoot on the Choose an option window.

5. Then select Advanced options.

6. Now click Command Prompt.

7. Type C: and hit Enter in the Command Prompt window that opened.
8. Type BCDEDIT /SET {DEFAULT} BOOTMENUPOLICY LEGACY and then press enter to enable legacy advanced boot menu

9. After the command has successfully executed, type EXIT.
10. Back on the Choose an option screen, select Continue to start your system normally.

If the blue screen Kernel Security Check Failure error isn’t fixed, try the method given below.

2. Automatically update and fix your drivers automatically

Corrupted or missing drivers can cause different types of the BSoD errors, so to fix the issue try updating or replacing them automatically.

Using the Device Manager, you can update or replace drivers manually, but that is time consuming and risky. To achieve guaranteed success, it is best to use a dedicated third-party solution.

3. Run the System File Checker and Memory Diagnostic

  1. After you get the blue screen of death, go to Settings, click on Advanced Startup, which will take you to the See advanced repair options menu.
  2. Once there, either click selects Troubleshoot or left-click.
  3. Click on Startup Settings in Advanced Options.

4. On the lower right side of the screen, find and click the Restart button.
5. The operating system will boot in minimum system requirements.
6. After the computer has booted, find a d left-click the search feature by moving yours to the upper right side of the window.
7. Type CMD in the search.
8. Select Run as administrator to go to the Command Prompt with full privileges enabled.

9. Type the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter.

10. After the scanning process ends, type Exit to close and hit Enter key.
11. Again Go to the Search feature and type memory, and click Run as administrator in Windows Memory Diagnostic.

12. Click on Restart now and check for problems

13. After the system reboots, the OS will provide you with the possible causes of the Blue Screen of Death error.
14. Reboot the computer.
15. Check if the Kernel Security Check Failure BSOD error is fixed.

4. Check the memory slot

An easy fix is to check the memory slot to ensure that it is placed correctly in its position and functioning properly.

You can also replace the memory slot or switch to a different slot. Restart your computer to check if the stop code Kernel Security Check Failure has resolved.

5. Check the hard drive

Check to see if your hard drive is plugged in properly and is functioning correctly. Switching your hard drive with a spare hard drive will allow you to know if the hard drive is causing the problem.

6. Update your Windows OS

Windows regularly issues system updates to fix various issues and improve the stability of the system. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your Windows is always up-to-date and you are running your system on the latest Windows OS version.

Follow the following steps to check and update your Windows OS:

  1. Press the Windows button on your keyboard
  2. Go to the search bar, type “update,” and hit ENTER.
  3. Go to “Windows Update” and check for updates.
  4. Install the available updates and restart your PC

7. Run a Windows Security Check

  1. Press the Windows button on your keyboard
  2. Go to the search bar, type “security,” and hit ENTER.
  3. Click on Windows Security to launch the tool.
  4. Find the Shield Icon in the left-hand plane and open it.

5. Find “Scan options” under the “Quick scan” icon and click it.

6. Now select the full scan option and click on the “Scan Now” icon to initiate the full system malware scan.

Malware can cause various issues on your PC, including the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code in Windows 10. Therefore, if you detect any malware during the full system malware scan, you would immediately have to remove it.

Also, check whether or not your PC has an updated antivirus software running in your system. If not, then download and update Windows Defender or any other third-party antivirus software.

8. Check your disk for errors

  1. You can also run a check disk scan using Command Prompt.
  2. Start Command Prompt as an administrator. Type the chkdsk C: /f command and hit ENTER. Note: replace “C” with your hard drive’s name/letter.

If you want to detect and repair logical issues affecting your hard drive, use the chkdsk D: /f command. If you want to detect and repair logical issues, then use the chkdsk D: /r command

Be patient when you are using this fix. It can take anywhere between half an hour to two hours to complete the process – depending on the memory of your hard drive.

9. Uninstall the Overclocking Software

Overclocking software commonly causes Windows 10 Kernel Security Check Failure. So, if you are using any overclocking software, then revert your PC to default configurations, uninstall the overclocking software, and restart your PC.

10. Run Your PC on Safe Mode

If you are hesitant to reset your computer completely, then you can try running your PC on safe mode to check which apps and software are causing Kernal Security Check Failure.

If you do not experience the Kernel Security Check Failure in safe mode, then the problem is surely triggered by software or an app. To fix the issue, enable all apps and software one by one to detect and uninstall the program that is causing the issue.

11. Try a third-party repair software

Using third-party repair software is a reliable and convenient solution to fix kernel security check failure errors. Several third-party apps for Windows 10 automatically detect and solve the issue and allow you to replace the elements that are causing the BSoD error.

How To Resolve Kernel Security Check Failure stop code in Windows 10

Check to see whether disabling the antivirus software resolves the issue.

No matter how well-intended, antivirus software might mistakenly prevent non-harmful services and programs from working correctly.

This method may inform you (in a roundabout way) that the antivirus software could be the source of your problem – but please bear in mind that it is not suggested that you use your system without the coverage of good antivirus software.

  • Simply open the task manager to disable the antivirus software temporarily. You can accomplish this by hitting ctrl+shift+escape using your keyboard.
  • If somehow the task manager appears in compact mode, select “More details.” Then, at the beginning of the “Task Manager” window, press the “Startup” tab.
  • Locate the name of the antivirus application and choose it from the list.
  • Then, in the Task Manager window, go to the right-hand corner, and click the disable button.
  • Lastly, reboot the computer to determine whether the BSOD appears again.

Remember that even if this resolves the problem, you should not use the computer without antivirus protection. As a result, you’ll most likely ought to look into different security measures.

Fix Kernel Security Check Failure – Video Guide

FAQs

What causes the kernel security check to fail?

Installed software conflicts might cause the Kernel Security Check Failure. You can also get the stop code Kernel Security Check Failure if your system has memory problems, a virus infection, driver compatibility or an outdated fault, corrupted Windows system files, or hard disk errors.

What is a kernel security check failure in stop code?

When your computer displays the blue screen of death (BSOD), one of the stop codes you may see is Kernel Security Check Failure. A stop code implies that your machine has memory problems, virus infections, program conflicts, or driver compatibility problems.

What does 0xc000021a stand for?

The 0xc000021a stop code appears whenever a blue screen of death happens with the error code “Your PC encountered a problem and must restart.” The error code might be produced by a faulty Windows registry, faulty device drivers, or incompatible applications on the computer.

How can I resolve the Kernel Security Check Failure?

Running Windows Defender to remove any suspected virus infestations will resolve the kernel security check failed problem. Other options, such as reinstalling drivers as well as launching the SFC scan tool, may also be viable.

What is the source of the kernel security check error?

The “kernel security check failure error” implies that some data files are either corrupted or have failed a compatibility test. The kernel security check can fail due to memory issues, malware infection, corrupt system files, or maybe even hardware issues.

What is a Windows kernel error?

Unfortunately, failing the kernel security check is really a “serious” fault that results in a Blue Screen of Death. The error message Kernel Security Check Failure signifies that one or even more files failed the authenticity or compatibility check and must be updated or replaced.

Can overclocking result in a failed kernel security check?

Overclocking your hardware may cause the Kernel Security Check to fail if it is incorrectly configured. If you previously overclocked your computer, you may have accidentally corrupted specific files, causing the Kernel Security Check Failure error. To see if it helps, try shutting off or removing your overclocking program.

What exactly is the kernel power failure?

The Kernel-Power critical error, in simple terms, is a system fault that will make your system unresponsive and crash. There are various likely causes for such errors. However, they are all related to a power supply issue.

How can I turn off the kernel logger?

The Kernel Log can be disabled using the Command Prompt. Press and hold the Windows + R keys and enter CMD within the run command line. Enter “bcdedit /debug on” at the command prompt and click enter. Restart your computer, then open Command Prompt and type “bcdedit /debug off,” and hit Enter. Restart your machine. This should turn off the Kernel Logger.

Is RAM capable of causing kernel power 41?

Error 41: Kernel Power A BSOD might be caused by faulty RAM or memory issues. Some folks believed that the problem was caused by faulty RAM. To troubleshoot any issues, run the Memory Diagnostic Tool.

What happens if the kernel fails?

Usually, it triggers abrupt system resets or shows a message instructing the user to restart their computer manually. Kernel panics can hinder user operations, create data loss, and possibly jeopardize the health of a Mac computer if they occur frequently.

What happens if a kernel fails?

A kernel panic happens when the kernel of an operating system unexpectedly shuts down. When the kernel identifies an irregularity inside a software execution and then instantly terminates it, the system crashes. The aim is to have as little data loss or corruption as feasible.

Wrap Up

We hope that the 11 fixes mentioned above help you resolve the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code in Windows 10 PC error. If the issue is caused by the failure of the HDD or the RAM, then there is no solution but to replace them.

Have you ever faced the Kernel Security Check Failure Windows 10 issue? Please share your tried and tested method with us, and also if you found any of our methods helpful.

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Mark is a cyber security enthusiast. He loves to spread knowledge about cybersecurity with his peers. He also loves to travel and writing his travel diaries.