Where is the BSOD log file located, and how to read it?
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Written By Mansi Verma
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Approved By Rohit Arora
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Updated on 1 May, 2023 -
Min Reading 4 Min - Share
Summary: The BSOD log file can help you figure out the actual cause behind any malfunction in your system. In this post, learn where Windows 10 BSOD logs are located and how to read them. In addition, we’ve shared some tested methods to read a BSOD log file, including the use of Event Viewer, Registry Editor, and more.
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error is one of the common bugs you may encounter for several reasons. It may lead your system from malfunction to a complete crash, and you may end up losing access to your system and stored data. Sometimes, the error may go after rebooting your system. But what if it keeps occurring, and you don’t find any bugcheck for this error?
It would understandably be a frustrating situation. Don’t worry, though!
You can figure out the cause of the error with the help of the BSOD log file. Fortunately, Windows 10 stores such information in a sophisticated way, i.e., by creating a BSOD log file. But it doesn’t get stored in document or text form, which you can open and access directly. Accessing this file is a bit tricky. However, the solutions we’ve provided in this blog can help you locate the file and read it.
How to Find Windows 10 BSOD Logs?
A few DIY methods are shared here to help you check the BSOD logs Windows 10. Follow the steps mentioned against the methods.
Method 1: Use the Event Viewer
Using Event Viewer, you can view the content of event log files, and search & read the BSOD logs to diagnose issues related to the system and functions. It accesses the memory dumps and gathers logs stored on the PC. Event Viewer also provides crucial data on troubleshooting a problem when the system encounters a Blue Screen error.
- Type Event Viewer in Windows Search Box to open it.
- Go to Actions given on the top-left menu.
- Click Actions > Create Custom View.
- Select a time range against the ‘Logged’ option.
- Mark Error in Event Level and then mark Windows Logs in Event logs. Finally, click OK.
- Rename the ‘Custom View’ and click OK.
You’ll be able to see all the error logs on the screen. Locate the error events at the time of the last BSOD.
You can also click Details to see a log of apps and system messages, including errors, warnings, and information messages. It also helps in fixing other Windows problems.
Method 2: Use Windows 10 Monitor
Windows 10 Reliability Monitor is a built-in tool, allowing users to know the system’s stability. It lets you analyze if the application is crashing or not responding to issues and builds a PC stability chart. The Reliability Monitor checks out the stability on a scale of 1-10. The larger the scale, the better the system’s stability. You can access this tool through the control panel:
- Open Control Panel and navigate to System and Security.
- Next, go to Security and Maintenance.
- Navigate to Maintenance > View reliability history.
You will see the reliability data, displaying as a graph, where the cross (x) icons in red show errors and (i) icons in blue show a warning or notable event in the system.
When you click on Error or Warning icons, it will display the problem details. You can expand the details to locate BSOD errors or crashes.
Method 3: Use Registry Editor
You can also use the Registry Editor to check for the Windows 10 BSOD files. Follow the given instructions:
- Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R. Type in regedit, and press Enter.
- Click ‘Yes’ if it asks for your permission to run the utility.
- Then follow HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control.
- Go to the right panel of Registry Editor, click New > QWORD (64 bit) Value.
- Rename it as Display Parameters, set the Value data to 1, and then click OK.
- Now, close the Registry Editor and reboot your PC.
| I still can’t find where the BSOD logs Windows 10 are located. How would I fix it, and what about my data? Is it possible to recover data from a PC affected by a BSOD error? Don’t worry about your data, as you can recover it with the help of a powerful data recovery tool, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional. It is a DIY data recovery software, which supports recovery from unbootable, crashed, or BSOD-affected Windows PCs and laptops. You can download its trial version to check its functionality and data recovery success rates. |
Locating and accessing the Windows 10 BSOD logs is not always child’s play. However, you can refer to the methods given in this blog. Also, don’t forget to check the BSOD fixes. Finally, if you want to get back any lost data from the BSOD-affected system, use reliable data recovery software. The software can help you retrieve data even from non-booting or crashed Windows systems.
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NO About The Author
Mansi Verma is a Senior Technology Writer at Stellar®. She is a Tech enthusiast, holding over a decade of experience in technical writing. She writes guides, articles, blogs and tips on Data Recovery, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics. She loves providing DIY solutions to solve various Windows system related issues. In her spare time, she likes reading her favorite novels, and writing poetry. She is also an avid traveller.
