Although BSOD is a regular Windows issue, if ignored, it might cause you problems. Many Windows 10 users have reported experiencing an odd “DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER” BSOD screen when using their PC recently.
Similar to all other BSOD issues, this one also occurs suddenly and requires a PC restart. You will experience difficulty utilizing your computer if the issue with the “DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER” is not resolved.
When a driver writes data outside of the memory address that it has declared, the DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER appears. There could be other causes for this problem, though. Frequently occurring causes of this mistake include:
Overclocked Processor
Corrupted System Files
Corrupted Device Drivers
Peripherals that aren’t compatible with the version of Windows 10 you’re using.
Malware or Virus Attacks.
So, these are some of the most prominent reasons for the ‘DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER’ error message.
How to Fix Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD in Windows
Now that you are aware of every potential cause for this error message, you ought to fix it. We’ve included a couple quick fixes for the Windows error notice below. Now let’s get going.
1. Update the problematic driver
The stack buffer DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK A device driver that is faulty or incompatible is the cause of the BSOD error. The device driver may be at blame if any of your linked devices aren’t working properly.
You can also analyze the memory dump file on your Windows to identify the exact driver triggering the error message. Let’s say the sound driver is creating a problem; you must update the sound driver from the Device Manager. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Click on Windows Search and type Device Manager. Next, open the Device Manager app from the list.
2. When the Device Manager opens, expand the Sound, video, and game controllers.
3. Right-click on the connected sound device and select Update Driver.
4. On the next prompt, select ‘Search automatically for the driver’.
This is how you can update the device driver on Windows to fix the BSOD error.
2. Update your Windows Version
If you can’t find the problematic driver, you can choose to update your Windows version. Both Windows 10 and 11 automatically search for device drivers on the update.
You can try updating your operating system to fix the DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER error. Here’s what you need to do.
1. First click on the Start menu and select Settings.
2. On Settings, click on Windows Update.
3. Click Check for Updates on the right side.
Now, Windows will automatically search for available updates. If any update is available for your device, it will download & install automatically.
3. Reinstall the Device Driver
If both methods fail to fix the problem, you must reinstall the Device Driver. This method will be effective only if you know the problematic device driver. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Click on the Windows Search and type ‘Device Manager’. Then, open the Device Manager app from the list.
2. On the Device Manager, right-click the problematic driver and select Uninstall Device.
3. Click on the ‘Uninstall‘ button on the confirmation prompt.
That’s it! After uninstalling the device driver, restart your computer. Your operating system will automatically install the basic driver for your device, which should fix the BSOD error.
4. Turn Off Fast Startup
Fast Startup is a very useful Windows Power Options feature that reduces boot time, but it’s known for triggering various BSOD errors. Hence, you can turn off the Fast Startup option on your Windows to fix DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER.
1. Click on the Windows Search and type in Power Options. Next, open the Choose a power plan app from the list.
2. On the window that opens, click the Change what the power buttons do link on the left.
3. Next, click on the Change settings that are currently unavailable link.
4. Now, scroll down and uncheck the Turn on fast startup option. Once done, click on Save Changes.
After making the changes, make sure to restart your Windows computer. This should fix the DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER BSOD error on your computer.
5. Run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
The Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD error can also appear due to hardware issues. Hence, to deal with hardware issues, you must run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter on your Windows computer. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Press the Windows Key + R button on your keyboard. This will open the RUN dialog box.
2. When the RUN dialog box opens, paste msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and hit Enter.
3. On the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, click the Next button.
4. Now, wait until the troubleshooter scans and fixes all issues.
5. If it finds any fix for your hardware & devices, click on the Apply this fix button.
That’s how easy it is to fix a driver overran Stack buffer BSOD error on a Windows computer.
6. Check Your Computer for Memory Problems
Although rare, sometimes problems with RAM can also trigger this error message. In fact, many users have claimed to resolve the Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD error by running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
Windows Memory Diagnostic tool automatically checks for memory problems & resolves them. Hence, you can also try running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and see if it helps.
1. Press the Windows Key + R button on your keyboard. This will open the RUN dialog box.
2. Type in mdsched.exe on the RUN dialog box and press Enter.
3. On the Windows Memory Diagnostic prompt, click Restart Now and check for the problems (recommended) option.
Windows 11 will run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. If it finds any problem with the memory, it will attempt to resolve them.
7. Run SFC Scan on Windows
SFC, or System File Checker, is a great utility of Windows that scans and fixes corrupted system files. It’s an automated process; you must run the command on the prompt. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Click on the Windows search and type Command Prompt. Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. When the Command Prompt opens, execute this command:
sfc/ scannow
3. Now, you need to wait for the scan to complete.
That’s it! After completing the scan, you need to reboot your computer. This should fix the BSOD error message.
8. Run the Check Disk Utility
To identify and resolve different disk-related issues, run a hard drive scan with Check Disk Utility or CHKDSK. If a drive’s malfunctioning sectors are the cause of the Driver overran stack buffer issue, you must use the Check Disk Utility.
We’ve previously provided a thorough tutorial on using Chkdsk to repair hard drive problems on Windows. To use the tool and resolve hard disk issues, you have to adhere to the instructions provided in that tutorial.
You won’t receive the Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD issue any more if it was caused by damaged or broken hard disk sectors.
9. Run an Antimalware Scan
Windows Security is a built-in security suite that comes with Windows. It’s an excellent tool for locating and eliminating malware and viruses that are concealed on your PC. As everyone is aware, spyware or viruses can occasionally cause the Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD problem; therefore, it is advised that you do a complete virus scan on your computer. This is what you should do.
1. Type Windows Security into Windows Start by clicking on it. The Windows Security program should then be opened from the list.
2. Select “Virus & threat protection” when the security app launches.
3. On the Virus & threat protection screen, click on the Scan options.
4. On the next screen, select Full Scan and click the Scan Now button.
This will run a full virus scan. After the scan completes, make sure to restart your Windows computer.
10. Reset your Windows PC
You should reset your Windows computer if the DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER problem message was not resolved.
Any user-made preferences and files kept on the system installation drives will be erased upon reset. Additionally, you will lose all installed apps. Thus, before you reset, take sure to backup your crucial files. Learn more
