How to Fix the Orange Screen of Death on Windows

The Orange Screen of Death (OSoD) is a less common but equally frustrating problem that Windows users may encounter. Similar to the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), the OSoD appears when there is a severe system error that the operating system cannot recover from, causing it to crash abruptly. This is typically a result of software or hardware issues such as incompatible drivers, faulty hardware, corrupted system files, or even overclocking.

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The OSoD can be particularly troublesome as it often comes without any specific error message, leaving users confused about the cause and possible solutions. The screen displays an orange hue with white vertical lines and requires the user to restart the system, often leading to loss of unsaved work.

This guide offers a comprehensive set of solutions to help you navigate and fix the Orange Screen of Death. These steps include analyzing dump files, disabling hardware acceleration, running memory diagnostic, utilizing system restore, and even resetting your PC if necessary.

1. Troubleshooting Persistent OSoD Error and Booting in Safe Mode

Often, a simple system restart can resolve the OSoD error. If it remains, a quick reset of the graphics driver using the keyboard shortcut Win + Ctrl + Shift + B may help. This action will cause the screen to blink accompanied by a beep sound, indicating the reset.

However, if you find yourself caught in a boot loop with the OSoD, launching your system in safe mode could allow you to implement the necessary fixes. Here’s how to do it:

Force your computer to power off by holding down the power button for roughly 10 seconds. Repeat this action three times to open the recovery environment.
From here, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
Click on ‘Restart’ and then press ‘5’ or ‘F5’ to boot your PC in Safe mode with networking.

Having done that, you can now proceed to try various solutions to the OSoD problem.

2. Analyzing the Dump Files

The first step towards resolving the OSoD error involves analyzing the dump files, which store error details. A tool like WinDbg Preview from Microsoft Store can help you with this. Follow these steps:

Download and install WinDbg Preview from the Microsoft Store.
Open WinDbg with administrative privilege.
Choose Open dump file from the File menu.
Navigate to the Minidump folder (%windir%\Minidump). $%windir%\Minidump$
Select and process the most recent dump file.
Use the command !analyze -v to examine the error details.
Investigate the Module name and associated information to identify the responsible element.

Once identified, the faulty software can be updated or removed to address the issue.

3. Disconnecting External Peripherals

External peripherals, especially multimedia devices, and cables, might sometimes be the culprits behind the OSoD. Updating its driver or replacing the device can rectify the issue. Here is how you can do this:

Unplug all connected peripherals from your computer.
Restart your system.
If the OSoD does not appear, begin reconnecting peripherals one by one, restarting your computer after each one to identify the problematic device.

4. Uninstalling and Reinstalling Display Drivers

As indicated earlier, the Orange Screen of Death (OSoD) typically arises due to graphics-related problems in your computer, which could stem from defective GPUs or graphics drivers. One possible solution to this issue is to completely uninstall the display drivers. However, a mere removal doesn’t erase their associated registry entries and cache. Therefore, it’s crucial to use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for a comprehensive uninstallation process.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Start by downloading DDU and extracting it on your PC.

2. Press the Windows key + ‘R’ to open the Run dialog box and type in “systempropertieshardware”. This action will open the Hardware tab of System Properties.

3. Navigate to Device Installation Settings and opt for ‘No’. This prevents Windows from automatically reinstalling the drivers.

4. Press Windows key + ‘I’ to open Settings, and then locate the Recovery option.

5. In the Advanced Startup options, select ‘Restart now’.

6. Once your PC reboots, navigate through the following path: Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.

7. Click on ‘Restart’ and then press 5 or F5 to reboot your system in Safe mode with Networking.

8. Open the Display Driver Uninstaller application.

9. Select the device type and model for which you wish to uninstall the drivers.

10. Click on ‘Clean and Restart’.

11. After the drivers are thoroughly uninstalled, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest version of the driver.

Upon completing these steps, check if the OSoD issue persists.

5. Disabling Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that offloads some computational tasks from the CPU, delegating them to other system resources like the GPU. However, it may occasionally lead to problems with DirectX and display drivers, consequently resulting in the Orange Screen of Death (OSoD). Thus, one potential solution to this issue is to disable hardware acceleration.

Here are the steps to disable system-wide hardware acceleration:

Press the Windows key + ‘R’ and type “regedit” to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Avalon.Graphics.
Right-click on the blank area in the right window, select ‘New’, and then choose ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value’.
Name this new entry as “DisableHWAcceleration”.
Double-click on this new entry and set the value to ‘1’ to disable Hardware acceleration.
Click ‘Ok’ to save the changes.

Additionally, Google Chrome has its own hardware acceleration settings which may also need to be disabled. Here’s how to do it:

Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots located on the right side to access the settings menu.
Click on ‘Settings’.
Navigate to the ‘System’ menu.
Turn off the option that reads ‘Use hardware acceleration when available’.

After executing these steps, reboot your system to check if the OSoD issue has been resolved.

6. Reverting Overclocking and Undervolting Settings

Overclocking and undervolting can often lead to instability and cause the OSoD error. By resetting these settings to their defaults, you can potentially eliminate the problem.

Access your system’s BIOS or UEFI firmware settings during boot-up (usually by pressing Del or F2).
Locate the settings for CPU frequency, voltage, or similar.
Reset these settings to their defaults.

Undervolting is a process in which you reduce the voltage to CPU so that its energy consumption and heat are reduced without bringing any change in its performance.

7. Repairing Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can also cause an OSoD error. Running DISM and SFC scans, as well as the chkdsk command, can help repair and replace these files.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Run the “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” command.
After DISM completes, run the “sfc /scannow” command.
If SFC finds corrupted files it can’t fix, run the “chkdsk /f” command and reboot your computer.

8. Updating Windows

Windows is programmed to regularly address bugs in its drivers and operating system through updates. Therefore, if the Orange Screen of Death is a result of issues in the drivers, system processes, or the operating system itself, conducting a Windows update should help alleviate the problem.

Here’s the process for performing a Windows update:

Press the Windows key + ‘I’ to open the Settings menu.
Look for ‘Windows Update’ and click on ‘Check for Updates’.
Download and install any available updates.
Similarly, navigate to ‘Advanced Options > Optional Updates’.
Install all available updates, if any.

In certain cases, the issue may have started after a recent update. If this is the situation, the following steps can be used to uninstall that specific update:

Navigate to ‘Update History’ on the Windows Update page.
Click on ‘Uninstall Updates’.
Select the most recent update and click ‘Uninstall’.

After completing these steps, reboot your PC to verify if the Orange Screen of Death has been resolved.

9. Updating Intel Graphics Command Center

The Intel Graphics Command Center (Intel GCC) is a utility designed to optimize graphics settings and programs to enhance the performance of GPU-intensive applications on systems using Intel graphics. However, occasionally, the settings of the application or the application itself may harbor bugs.

If your computer uses an Intel motherboard with integrated graphics and has Intel GCC installed, updating this program could be a potential solution. Here’s how to do it:

Download and install the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (Intel DSA).
Launch Intel DSA and search for the most recent drivers.
Look for the driver specific to Intel GCC and install it.

Alternatively, you can completely uninstall the program and reinstall a new version downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

After performing these steps, examine your system to check if the Orange Screen of Death issue persists.

10. Running Games in Default Settings

Heavy game settings can stress the system and cause the OSoD. Consider running games and graphics-heavy programs in their default settings to prevent this issue.

Open your game or graphics-heavy program.
Navigate to the settings or options menu.
Reset the graphics settings to their defaults.

11. Uninstalling Certain Third-Party Applications

Third-party applications and heavy programs that utilize your system’s graphics drivers and configurations can occasionally disrupt your PC’s functionality. Software such as softOSD and Duet Display, which alter the display configuration, can interfere with the graphics drivers and potentially trigger the Orange Screen of Death (OSoD).

It could be beneficial to uninstall these programs to resolve the OSoD issue. This also applies if you have heavy programs installed on your computer. Here’s the process to follow:

Press Windows + ‘R’ and type ‘appwiz.cpl’ to open the Add or Remove Programs window.
Find the specific application in question and select ‘Uninstall’.
Additionally, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Task Manager.
Navigate to the ‘Processes’ tab and look for ‘softOSD.exe’ or similar processes corresponding to other applications.
Select these processes and click ‘End Task’.

After completing these steps, evaluate whether the Orange Screen of Death issue continues to occur.

12. Optimizing PC for Lower Temperature

Overheating can lead to system crashes and OSoD error. Regular cleaning, proper cooling mechanisms, and using hard surfaces for laptop placement can help maintain optimal temperatures

Clean your computer’s fans and vents regularly to avoid dust accumulation.
If necessary, install additional fans or cooling systems.
Avoid placing laptops on soft surfaces that can block vents; use a hard, flat surface or a cooling pad instead.

13. Running Memory Diagnostic

If you suspect there might be a problem with your RAM, the integrated Windows Memory Diagnostic tool can help you determine whether this is the cause of the Orange Screen of Death. Here are the steps to run the memory diagnostic:

1. In the Windows Search bar, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” and select it.
2. In the newly opened window, choose “Restart now and check for problems”.
3. Your computer will restart and the memory diagnostic tool will run automatically. Follow the instructions on the screen.
4. After the diagnostic process, your computer will restart again. You can see the test results when you log back into Windows.

14. Reseating RAM or GPU

The Orange Screen of Death (OSoD) could potentially be caused by improperly seated RAM or GPU in your system. In such cases, disassembling your system and reseating the hardware might help resolve the issue. Here’s how to go about it:

Start by powering off your system and unplugging all power cables.
Proceed by removing the screws from the side panel to access the motherboard. For laptop users, unscrew either the RAM compartment or the back panel to reach the memory slots.
Next, press the lock to remove the RAM and disconnect the GPU carefully.
Ensure you clean both the GPU and RAM thoroughly.
To identify any faulty memory, use a single RAM stick at a time, changing its slot each time you power on your system.
Once checked, reinstall the hardware safely.
Finally, reassemble the side panel and restart your computer.

After these steps, check if the OSoD issue continues. Additionally, running a Memory Diagnostic test could help identify any problems with the physical memory, allowing for further action if necessary.

15. Utilizing System Restore

System Restore allows you to revert your computer’s state (including system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings) to that of a previous point in time, which can be used to recover from system malfunctions or other problems. Here’s how to do it:

Press Windows + ‘R’ and type rstrui.exe to open System Restore.
In the System Restore window, you can either use the recommended restore point or choose a different one that you created previously.
Click “Finish” to start the system restoration.
After the process is complete, your system will restart. Check if the Orange Screen of Death error has been resolved.

16. Resetting Your PC

If all else fails, resetting your PC can be the last resort. This will reinstall Windows and optionally clean your installed applications and settings. Here is how to reset your PC:

Press and hold the power button of your computer for around 10 seconds to shut it down. Repeat this 3 times to enter the Recovery environment.
Navigate to “Advanced Option” and then “Troubleshoot”.
Select “Reset this PC”.
Follow the on-screen instructions and select “Cloud download” if you have an active internet connection. This will download a fresh copy of the OS directly from Microsoft. If you don’t have an internet connection, you can choose “Local reinstall”.
After the reset process, the Orange Screen of Death should be fixed.

Please note that you should consider backing up your important files before resetting your PC or performing a clean installation of Windows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Orange Screen of Death can be a disruptive problem, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be effectively managed. This article has provided comprehensive solutions to tackle this issue, from simple methods like driver updates and system checks to more advanced techniques like hardware adjustments and system resets. Remember, regular system maintenance and timely software updates are key to preventing such issues. If none of these solutions work, it might be time to seek professional assistance.

That’s all the steps we have to combat the Orange Screen of Death. Hope this article helps you in resolving the issue. When you successfully fix the problem, let us know in the comments.

Happy troubleshooting!!!

Another problem similar to the orange screen of death is the blue screen of death. To learn about and to fix this issue, read our article about it by visiting the following link.