A Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) is an error message from Windows that indicates a critical system failure. While it can seem alarming, it is actually the operating system’s way of shutting down to protect itself. This guide will help you understand common causes and how to troubleshoot them.
Initial Steps: Reinstall the Anti-Cheat
If you are experiencing blue screens, the first step is to try reinstalling the Akros Anti-Cheat. This is one of the most common causes of blue screens related to anti-cheat software, and a clean reinstall often resolves the issue.
Common Causes of Blue Screens
A blue screen error can be triggered by a variety of issues, including:
- Failing hardware (such as faulty RAM or a failing SSD/HDD)
- Unstable CPU or GPU overclocks
- Outdated or faulty device drivers
- Overheating
- Malware or rootkit infections
- Software conflicts at kernel level (including anti-cheat drivers)
General Troubleshooting Steps
If reinstalling the Akros Anti-Cheat does not resolve the issue, follow the steps below to isolate common hardware and software problems.
1. Disable IOMMU (If You Cannot Boot into Windows)
If a blue screen prevents you from reaching the desktop, you may be dealing with a driver-level compatibility issue. This step is more advanced but can help in boot-loop scenarios.
Steps to Enter BIOS/UEFI and Disable IOMMU:
- Restart your computer and press the BIOS/UEFI key during startup (commonly Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc).
- Navigate to Advanced Settings.
- Look for menus such as CPU Configuration, Advanced, or North Bridge Configuration.
- Locate the IOMMU setting (it may also appear as Intel VT-d, AMD-Vi, or Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O).
- Disable the setting, then save and exit BIOS/UEFI.
If this resolves the issue, it strongly indicates a driver or hardware compatibility conflict. Please report this to Akros Support.
2. Remove the Akros Anti-Cheat Driver in Safe Mode
If your system cannot boot normally, you can remove the anti-cheat driver in Safe Mode.
Enter Safe Mode:
- Restart your PC and enter the Windows Recovery Environment (often via F11 or automatic recovery after failed boots).
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart
- After reboot, press 4 to select Enable Safe Mode
Remove the Driver:
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to:
C:\ProgramData\Akros - Locate and delete:
aac-driver-x64.sys - Restart your system normally
3. Test Your Hardware
If you can access Windows, test system stability:
- CPU: Use Prime95 and run the “Blend” test for at least one hour
- RAM: Use Memtest86 for a full memory diagnostic
- Storage: Check SSD/HDD health using vendor tools or SMART diagnostics
Note: Some Intel 13th/14th Gen CPUs may exhibit instability that is not always detected by standard stress tests.
4. Check for Malware
In rare cases, malware or rootkits can interfere with kernel-level drivers like anti-cheat systems.
- Use a reputable anti-malware tool (such as Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit)
- Perform a full system scan
5. Disable Overclocking
If your system is overclocked:
- Reset CPU, GPU, and RAM settings to default
- Disable XMP/EXPO profiles temporarily
- Ensure all components are running at stock frequencies
Unstable overclocks are a common cause of system-level crashes.
Submitting a Support Ticket
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please provide crash dump files for analysis.
How to Find Crash Dump Files
Windows generates a small dump file after a BSoD:
- Navigate to:
C:\Windows\Minidump\ - Find the most recent
.dmpfile - Attach it to your support request
Full Memory Dump (If Requested)
In some cases, a full memory dump may be required:
- Locate:
C:\Windows\MEMORY.dmp - Right-click → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder
- Upload the ZIP file to a cloud service (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)
- Share the link with Akros Support
Once you have collected the required files, please submit a support ticket for further investigation.