How To Fix Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSOD

Just follow these very detailed instructions

“DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER” is aBSOD (Blue Screen of Death) stop errorbrought about by a faulty device driver in Windows. It occurs when the driver writes data outside its defined memory address. However, multiple other reasons—such as file corruption, disk errors, and malware—can also cause the same BSOD to show up.

It’s possible to fix the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” BSOD by following the instructions below. If Windows crashes before you can boot into the desktop, you can try running them inSafe Mode.

Update the Problematic Driver

The quickest way to fix the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” BSOD is to update the problem-inducing device driver. Since Windows uses multiple drivers, your best bet is toanalyze the memory dump filesusingWinDbgorNirSoft BlueScreenView. That helps identify the exact driver file causing the BSOD. You can then run a cursory check online to determine the device related to the file.

Once you’ve done that, it’s just a matter of downloading the most up-to-date version of the device driver from the hardware manufacturer’s website. You can run the downloaded executable file to update the drivers immediately after that. If that fails, use the Device Manager to apply the update.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectDevice Manager.

  2. Expand the device category—e.g.,Display adapters.

  3. Right-click the driver you want to update and selectUpdate driverto bring up the Update Drivers wizard.

  4. SelectBrowse my computer for drivers.

  5. Use theBrowsebutton to specify the path to the driver you just downloaded.

  6. SelectNextand follow all remaining instructions to update the device driver.

  7. Exit the Update Drivers wizard.

Update Driver via Windows Update

Hardware manufacturers often release driver updates via Microsoft. You can try checking if there’s an up-to-date version of the driver available using Windows Update.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectWindows Update.

  3. SelectView optional updates.

  4. ExpandDriver updates.

  5. Select any pending updates for the device and selectDownload and install.

While you’re at it, you should also tryupdating Windowsitself. That usually helps resolve operating system-related bugs and glitches preventing drivers from functioning correctly.

Roll Back the Device Driver

Conversely, the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” BSOD can show up after updating a device driver. In that case, the Device Manager provides the option to roll it back.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectDevice Manager.

  2. Expand the device category.

  3. Right-click the driver and selectProperties.

  4. Switch to theDrivertab.

  5. SelectRoll Back Driver.

If theRoll Back Driverbutton appears grayed out, you can’t revert the driver to its previous version.

Reinstall the Device Driver

If updating or rolling back the problematic device driver is out of the question, try reinstalling it. That helps rule out issues with driver corruption.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectDevice Manager.

  2. Expand the device category.

  3. Right-click the driver and selectUninstall device.

  4. Check the box next toDelete the driver software for this deviceand selectUninstall.

  5. Reboot your computer. The operating system should automatically apply basic drivers for the device. If required, you can always install any dedicated drivers and support software after downloading them from the device manufacturer’s website.

Update All Device Drivers

If the problem continues or you can’t identify the exact driver behind the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” BSOD error, It’s a good idea to update all device drivers on your computer. You can use a free driver updater tool to do that. Driver Booster is a good choice.

  1. Download and installDriver Booster.

  2. Open Driver Booster and selectScanto check for the latest driver updates.

  3. SelectUpdate Nowto apply the updates.

Also, don’t forget to apply any pending driver updates for additional hardware devices using Windows Update.

Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a Windows feature thatspeeds up the operating system’s boot times. But it’s also a known cause behind multiple BSOD errors. Try disabling it and check if that makes a difference.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectPower Options.

  2. Scroll down and selectAdditional power settings.

  3. SelectChoose what the power buttons doto the top-left of the screen.

  4. Uncheck the box next toTurn on fast startup (recommended).

  5. SelectSave changes.

Run a Security Scan

Malicious software can masquerade as a driver—or hijack a legitimate driver—and end up triggering the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” stop error. Hence, it’s a good idea to perform a thorough scan of the entire system for malware.

Windows Securityoffers decent protection against computer viruses, but adedicated malware removeris far better at flushing out dangerous malware forms. We recommend using the free version of Malwarebytes.

  1. Download and installMalwarebytes.

  2. Open Malwarebytes and selectScanner. Then, selectAdvanced scanners>Configure Scan.

  3. Check the boxes next toScan memory objects,Scan registry and startup items, andScan within archives. You can also selectScan for rootkits, but that can extend the scan duration significantly.

  4. Select the drive partition housing the operating system—e.g.,C.

  5. SelectScan.

Fix Operating System Errors

The System File Checker (SFC) is a command-line tool that fixes system file corruption in Windows. If the ‘Driver Overran Stack Buffer’ BSOD continues to be an issue, you should try running it.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectWindows PowerShell (Admin).

  2. Type the following command into the elevated Windows PowerShell console:

sfc/ scannow

  1. PressEnter.

After running the System File Checker, go ahead and run the CHKDSK Utility at computer startup. That should fix any disk-related errors behind the “Driver Overran Stack Buffer” BSOD.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectWindows PowerShell (Admin).

  2. Type the following command into the Windows PowerShell console and pressEnter:

chkdsk C: /R

  1. PressY. Then, pressEnterto confirm you want to run the CHKDSK utility the next time you reboot Windows.

Check for Errors in WinRE

If you can’t boot into Windows normally and in Safe Mode, you can try running the System File Checker and the CHKDSK Utility via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

  1. Restart your computer andenter the Windows Recovery Environment.

  2. SelectTroubleshoot>Command Prompt.

  3. Run the System File Checker:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows

  1. Run the CHKDSK Utility on the boot volume:

chkdsk C: /R

5: Run CHKDSK Utility on Windows partition:

chkdsk D: /R

What Else Can You Do?

If none of the fixes above helped you fix the BSOD error on your Windows PC, then here are some advanced fixes that you can work on next:

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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