Full Fix: PNP Detected Fatal Error on Windows 10

Written By Mansi Verma
Approved By Rohit Arora
Updated on 20 Jul, 2022
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Summary: Sometimes, users witness an error, called PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR in Windows 10. This is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error that occurs due to incompatible software or hardware on the system. The error causes the system to restart suddenly, interrupting any work. In worst case scenarios, it may result in data loss. In this post, we’ve mentioned the solutions to fix this error.
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Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, like PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR can cause multiple issues, such as slow down your PC, make it crash or restart suddenly, and turn your system inaccessible or inoperable.

Some users have reported different problems arising due to this error. Let’s address some of these issues and explore their solutions.

1. BSOD PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR

Since this is a BSOD error, the first step should be to run the Windows 10 built-in BSOD troubleshooter on your system. Here’s how to run the program on your Windows 10 system:

Open Settings menu and go to Update & Security.

Select the Troubleshoot option on the left pane.
On the right pane, select BSOD and then click on Run the troubleshooter.

Running the BSOD troubleshooter will help to figure out the underlying cause of this error.

2. PNP Error due to Outdated Driver

The PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR may also be the result of an outdated driver. Make sure all your system drivers are updated. Follow these steps to update or install a driver. Some users have also reported that the issue is being caused by the Intel DPTF Manager driver. If this driver is causing the issue, roll back the driver to the previous version.

3. Antivirus Causing PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR

An outdated antivirus can bring about many unexpected errors on your system. Compromised antivirus security of your system should be addressed at the earliest to prevent errors, like PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR.Surprisingly,some Windows 10 users have reported that the error is being caused by antivirus tools, like Norton, Avira, and McAfee. If you’re using any of these software, try uninstalling them and then check whether the error is resolved. Here’s how to uninstall an existing antivirus or application on Windows 10.

4. Outdated Windows or an Update Error

A problematic or improper Windows update may also result in this error. You need to check first whether you’re using the latest version of Windows. Here’s how to make sure your Windows version is up-to-date.

Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu.
In the Windows Settings menu, go to Update & Security > Windows Update.

Next, click the Check for updates option.

Your Windows PC will scan for updates and download them. After the updates are downloaded on the system, restart your PC. Now, check if the error still persists.

Note: Microsoft keeps releasing security patches and other updates for Windows. Make sure your Windows 10 is up-to-date.

Reset your Windows

The error may also occur if a Windows update is not installed properly. To deal with this problem, try resetting your Windows 10 altogether. Here’s what to do:

Open the Start menu, long press the Shift key, and then click Restart.
Now, in the Advanced Startup options, navigate to Troubleshoot.

Click the Reset this PC button and then select Remove everything.
Now, you can reinstall Windows 10 on your system.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the reset process.

Remember that resetting your PC will lead to data loss as it reverts to a previous version. So it’s always advised to keep a backup of your important files to safeguard yourself from any type of data loss. However, if you fail to keep a backup and end up losing critical system data after a Windows Reset, use a professional data recovery software to recover the lost data.

5. Errors in a Pre-installed Software

A problematic software on your computer may also cause the PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR. So you must find and uninstall such software from your system immediately.

If you have installed any software recently or downloaded an update of an existing software, try uninstalling the software or rolling back the update from your computer. If a new application or update is causing the error, this should effectively fix the problem. You may also get help from an uninstaller software to remove all traces of a problematic app or software from your system.

6. Faulty Hardware or Storage Issues

PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR can be caused by a faulty RAM module as well. Check whether your system’s RAM is running properly. Also, check whether the motherboard, graphics card, and hard drive are showing any signs of trouble. You may run the built-in BSOD troubleshooter (as discussed above) to detect any potential problems with your RAM. You may also run the chkdsk command on your system to troubleshoot any disk-related errors.

End Note

PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR may occur due to various reasons, such as a faulty or outdated driver, a problematic Windows update, outdated antivirus, etc. You may easily fix this error by running the BSOD troubleshooter or the chkdsk scan. You can also try uninstalling a problematic Windows update or a device driver. If nothing works, simply try resetting your Windows 10. In case you lost the data, use a professional data recovery tool, such Stellar Data Recovery to recover your data.

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About The Author

Mansi Verma

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.

7 comments

steven prichard says:

February 11, 2023 at 4:53 pm

Thank you for the comments. I have no way of checking drivers or checking anything in windows. I tried powering off three times as windows was “booting” and all i can get on this laptop is the BSOD showing the fatal error. No safe mode. No recovery option. No WinRe. All hardware checks good from BIOS diags. I have no way of interrupting the reboot cycle unless i power it off manually. Everything was fine until I did a Windows reset to remove data. Laptop was going to be donated to a local school. I may have to donate to Recycle instead. It is a Dell XPS 13 9343. BIOS driver is A20. I would love to be able to save it. Any help is appreciated.

Reply
1. Mansi Verma says:
  
  February 13, 2023 at 7:17 am
  
  Hi Steven,
  An outdated driver may possibly be the cause of the PNP DETECTED FATAL ERROR. Ensure that all of your system drivers are current. Use the procedures listed above to install or update a driver. Roll back the driver to the earlier version if the driver is the problem.
  Keep in mind that since your computer will reset to an earlier version, data will be lost. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to make a backup of your key information to protect yourself against data loss of any kind. However, you can employ a Professional data recovery program such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore the lost data if you forget to make a backup and wind up losing crucial system data after a Windows Reset.
  
  Reply
  1. steven prichard says:
    
    February 13, 2023 at 5:19 pm
    
    Thank you Verma for your comments. I can’t ensure anything on this laptop. I did successfully create a USB boot disk on an 8G USB drive from another laptop. When I use the USB as the boot device all I get is a solid blue screen. My laptop needs a doctor.
steven prichard says:

February 5, 2023 at 6:06 pm

I was trying to reset windows 10 on my DELL laptop to remove my data. During the reset I got this blue window saying that there was an error on the device and it had to restart. That’s all this laptop will do now is cycle through these reboots. I ran HW diags and everything is good. Windows Shtooped me and I now cannot recover this laptop. No safe mode option. Can’t get to anything except BIOS and this windows recursive reboot. The error is PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR

Reply
1. Mansi Verma says:
  
  February 6, 2023 at 6:51 am
  
  Hello Steven
  Determine whether your Windows upgrade was successful first. This issue might also be brought on by a defective or poor Windows update. To start, make sure Windows is the most recent version you are running.
  An outdated driver may possibly be the cause of the PNP DETECTED FATAL ERROR. Ensure that all of your system drivers are current. Hope this helps.
  
  Reply
Blakely says:

September 12, 2022 at 10:02 am

PNP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR occurred for many reasons, such as a faulty or outdated driver, a problematic Windows update, outdated antivirus, etc. one can quickly fix this error by running the BSOD troubleshooter or the chkdsk scan.

Reply
Samuel Aden says:

February 7, 2022 at 11:27 am

Thanks for the DIY method Mansi. Last week actually I encountered this issue, at that time I fixed this error using your methods. After 4 days, the same error appeared again and I fixed it again by using your methods only. And today I’m facing the same issue again. So what exactly is going on ? Will I be facing this issue again and again or is there any permanent solution for this ?

Reply