The BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO blue screen usually appears when Windows cannot read important startup configuration data correctly. The PC may restart over and over, or it may fail before you reach the sign-in screen.
This can happen on Windows 10 or Windows 11 after an interrupted update, a sudden power loss, a failed shutdown, a bad registry change, or damage to boot configuration files. In many cases, the fix is to repair or rebuild the startup configuration rather than reinstall Windows.
Start With Startup Repair
Startup Repair is the safest first step because Windows checks common boot problems automatically and tries to fix them without touching your personal files.
- If the PC keeps blue-screening, let it fail and restart two or three times. Windows should open the Recovery Environment automatically.
- If Windows still boots sometimes, open Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup, then choose Restart now.
- On the recovery screen, choose Troubleshoot.
- Open Advanced options.
- Select Startup Repair.
- Choose your account and enter the password if Windows asks for it.
- Let the repair finish, then restart.
If Startup Repair says it fixed the issue, test the PC normally. If it cannot repair the computer, move to the boot configuration commands below.
Rebuild Boot Configuration With Bootrec
Caution: These commands repair startup records and boot configuration data. Type them carefully and do not shut the computer off while a command is running.
- From the recovery screen, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
- Run this command:
bootrec /fixmbr - Then run:
bootrec /fixboot - Search for Windows installations with:
bootrec /scanos - Rebuild the boot list with:
bootrec /rebuildbcd - If it finds your Windows installation and asks whether to add it, type Y and press Enter.
- Close Command Prompt and choose Continue to restart Windows.
If bootrec /fixboot reports access denied, do not keep repeating random commands. Restart into recovery again and try Startup Repair once more, or use System Restore if a restore point is available.
Use System Restore if the Error Started Recently
System Restore is helpful if the blue screen started after a driver update, Windows update, software install, or registry edit. It rolls system files and settings back to an earlier restore point while keeping personal files in place.
- Open Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
- Choose System Restore.
- Select your Windows account and sign in if asked.
- Pick a restore point from before the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO errors began.
- Confirm the restore and let the computer restart.
Apps, drivers, or updates installed after the restore point may need to be installed again. Your documents, photos, and personal files should not be removed by System Restore.
If the Blue Screen Comes Back
If Windows starts normally after repair but the same stop code returns later, check for the cause before it damages the configuration again.
- Remove a bad update: Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and remove the newest update if the problem began right after it installed.
- Check the drive: From an administrator Command Prompt or recovery Command Prompt, run
chkdsk C: /f /r. A failing drive can corrupt boot data repeatedly. - Test memory: Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic, open it, and choose Restart now and check for problems. Faulty RAM can corrupt system data and trigger confusing blue screens.
- Reset Windows if needed: If repairs fail but your files are accessible, back up important data and use Reset this PC with Keep my files.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot blue screen errors
- Microsoft Learn: Bootrec.exe command-line options
- Microsoft Support: Recovery options in Windows