0x000000ef Critical Process Died

This error is caused when a critical system process fails to start correctly due to conflicting applications, corrupted system files, incompatible driver versions, and disk errors.

Download the Diagnostic

There are certain situations when missing entries in your registry and registry corruption causes this problem. Try running a registry scan to identify if there are any such issues.

1. Click the button below to download and install the Diagnostic
2. Perform a Registry scan and fix any problems detected.
3. Restart your computer.

Estimated Download Time: 10 Seconds

---

Perform Clean Boot

Clean Boot is a diagnostic method that determines and fixes various problems caused by faulty driver, incorrect startup references, and incompatible software.

1. Type MsConfig in the Search Box on your Taskbar.
2. Open the System Configuration tool from the Search Results.
3. In the General tab, choose Selective startup.
4. Uncheck Load system services and Load startup items.
5. Click Apply, and then OK.
6. When you’re prompted to restart, confirm it.

Search for Driver Updates

Get recommended updates for your device drivers – piece of software that facilitate communication of your operating system with the hardware devices.

1. Type Device Manager in the Search Box.
2. Open it from the Search Results.
3. Expand the top node in the left-hand side panel.
4. Click the View menu, select Show hidden devices.
5. A yellow color exclamation mark will appear in front of malfunctioning devices or outdated device drivers.
6. Right-click such device, select Update driver software.
7. In the new wizard that loads, select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Perform SFC Scan

As the name describes, System File Checker tool scans the integrity of the protected operating system components when you initiate the procedure using Command Prompt. You might want to verify integrity of OS files using an elevated Command Prompt.

1. Press Windows Key + X.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. In the window that looks similar to Terminal in Linux or Mac, execute the following command:
   • sfc /scannow /offbootdir=X:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows\
4. (X: represents the system drive letter)

Reconnect the Battery

Follow the steps given below to check if the problem still exists:

1. Turn your laptop off.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Wait for a minute or two.
4. Plug the battery again.

Check Disk for Errors

The Disk CheckUp tool attempts to identify and repair file system errors that cause problem loading and saving data to the disk.

1. Double click This PC icon.
2. Right-click the system drive, for example, C:\
3. Select Properties.
4. Click the Tools tab, and then Check.
5. Click Scan Drive.

Use Devices Troubleshooter

Windows 10 comes with an in-built devices troubleshooter capable to resolve most of the issues. Identify the hardware that are not working and causing a system error.

1. Press Windows Key + X.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Type Troubleshooting in the Search Box on the upper right corner.
4. Open the Troubleshooting icon from the Search Results.
5. Click Hardware and Sound.
6. Click Hardware and Devices.
7. Click Next.
8. The wizard will start detecting problems and attempt to repair itself.

Turn Off Sleep & Hibernation

Both Sleep and Hibernation are power saving features. The former saves your work and configurations in memory, and puts your laptop into a sleep state that can be quickly resumed similar to a DVD playback. On the contrary, the latter puts your documents and applications on HDD using least amount of power. One of the drawbacks of hibernation is that your laptop cannot be charged during that time.

1. Press Windows Key + X.
2. Select Power Options.
3. Click Change plan settings in front of the active power plan.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. Expand the Sleep node, and then Sleep after sub-node.
6. Set the following values:
   • On Battery:
   • Plugged in (Minutes): 0
7. Expand the Hibernate after sub-node and set the following values:
   • On Battery: 0
   • Plugged in: 0
8. Click Apply, and then OK.

Reinstall the Operating System

If none of the above steps help fixing error 0x000000ef, you might want to reinstall the operating system.

1. Insert Windows 10 installation DVD ROM.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Press F2 or Delete key immediately as soon as the logo of your computer manufacturer appears on your screen.
4. Choose a preferred language, time and keyboard layout.
5. Click Next.
6. Click Install Now.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.