Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) errors are a nuisance and they get worse when you’re unable to pinpoint their exact cause. However, most follow a common pattern, and updating the respective driver that might be causing the error can help you resolve them.
Afd.sys BSoD is one such blue screen error affecting your network connection. The Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock (Afd.sys) is a core component of Windows OS that manages network and internet communications. When this driver runs into errors, you will not be able to connect to the internet, and your system may throw blue screen error messages like:
- kernel_data_inpage_error afd.sys
- driver_irql_not_less_or_equal afd.sys
- irql_not_less_or_equal afd.sys
- bootleg_not_loaded afd.sys
What is Causing the Afd.sys BSoD on My PC?
Wondering why you’re facing the Afd.sys error on your Windows PC? Here are some potential causes that may have triggered this error:
- Faulty or outdated network drivers causing conflict with the Afd.sys
- Installing new hardware or faulty RAM that might be incompatible with your system
- Using an outdated operating system
- Recently installed software, such as games or updates can run into conflict with the Afd.sys
- System file corruption due to disk errors or abrupt shutdowns
- Presence of a malicious virus or malware
How Do I Fix the Afd.sys BSoD on My PC?
Below, we will list some methods to troubleshoot the Afd.sys error on your Windows PC. You can give them a try and see which one works out for you.
Method 1: Update Windows
If you’re running an outdated version of Windows OS, consider updating to the latest version to help resolve the Afd.sys error on your PC. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Press Win + S and search for Check for updates.
Step 2: Select Windows Update and click Check for Updates.
Step 3: If the updates are available, Windows will automatically download and install them on your system.
Method 2: Check for Disk Errors
As stated above, disk errors due to improper shutdowns, or wear and tear can also cause the Afd.sys error on your Windows PC. You need to address the disk issues to resolve this error effectively.
For this, you can use the Windows built-in utility: CHKDSK command. It will scan your drive for errors and automatically fix them. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Search for Command Prompt in the Taskbar and click Run as Administrator.
Step 2: Inside the Command Prompt, type chkdsk, and press Enter.
Step 3: If the scan detects drive errors, enter chkdsk /r in the Command Prompt and press Enter to start an in-depth diagnostic scan, it will repair and recover damaged hard drive sectors.
Method 3: Repair File Systems
The System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) are powerful built-in utilities in Windows to repair system files and fix any underlying errors.
SFC scans system files, including DLL files, and replaces corrupt files with a cached copy located in a compressed folder at: %WinDir%\System32\dllcache
The DISM tool repairs Windows image, including the Windows Component Store and fixes issues that the SFC can’t resolve by itself.
Here’s how to perform these scans:
Step 1: Search for Command Prompt in the taskbar and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Now, execute the following command for SFC scan: sfc /scannow
Step 3: Next, execute the following command for DISM scan: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Finally, restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved.
Method 4: Check Your RAM
You can use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to identify any issues with your computer’s RAM, which could be causing the BSoD error on your system. Here’s the rundown:
Step 1: Open Windows Memory Diagnostic tool by searching for it in the Taskbar.
Step 2: Click Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
Your computer will display the diagnostic results immediately upon restarting. If you need to view them later, they are accessible in the Event Viewer.
Method 5: Scan for Viruses or Malware
The afd.sys blue screen might occur due to a virus or malware on your system. Scanning your computer for these threats and eliminating them can help resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Press Win + S and launch for Windows Security.
Step 2: Click Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
Step 3: Click Windows Defender Offline Scan > Scan Now.
Let the process complete. The Windows Defender will scan your computer for existing threats.
Method 6: Update the Drivers
As already stated, using an outdated or corrupted driver can be why you’re facing the Afd.sys error on your system. To fix this, you need to check your drivers and update them to the latest version. Here’s the rundown:
Step 1: Press Win + X and open Device Manager.
Step 2: Navigate to Network adapters and expand it to view the list.
Step 3: Review the list of network adapters and identify the ones with a yellow warning mark.
Step 4: Right-click on the network driver with the yellow warning mark and select Update driver.
Step 5: Click Search automatically for updated driver software and install the updates, if available.
How to Recover Lost Data Due to the Afd.sys BSoD Error?
When the Afd.sys error occurs, it can abruptly terminate a running application, and any unsaved data in the program’s memory at the time might get lost. Additionally, if the crash was caused due to a defective hard drive or memory issues, it may also result in data loss.
If you have lost your data after encountering the Afd.sys blue screen error, we recommend using a professional data recovery software – Stellar Data Recovery Professional to reclaim your files. It can recover lost or deleted data from Windows systems, crashing due to BSoD errors, corrupted system files, drive file-system damage, and more.
Bottom Line
The troubleshooting methods outlined in this guide effectively fix the Avd.sys blue screen error. You may go by the suggested sequence or hop on the solution you think will work. Make sure to back up your data before attempting any of the above solutions. If you experience data loss after facing the BSoD error, we recommend using professional data recovery software to get your data back.
Was this article helpful?
