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Kernel Security Check Failure: Definitive Guide to Fix

Look out for corruption signs & keep your drivers up to date!

13 min. read

Updated onApril 11, 2024

updated onApril 11, 2024

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Key notes

Fix all BSoD events and keep computer safe and clean:

Fortect will find the cause of BSoD and fix it. Here is how to do it with 3 easy steps:

If you are reading this article, it means that you were unfortunate enough to get the Kernel Security Check Failure error.

Because this problem occurs while trying to install Windows 10, users end up panicking that their entire system is stuck.

Even more believe that it’s a virus trying to take over and while that is a potential cause, it’s not as simple as that. That being said, is Kernel Security Check failure a virus? The short answer is no, it is not.

Many other users who upgraded their operating system to Windows 10 have experienced the same issue. Indeed, the Windows 10 Kernel Security Check Failure occurs more frequently than you might think.

It’s one of the most commonWindows install issuesout there. So let’s see what triggers it in the first place.

What causes Kernel Security Check failure?

TheKernel Security Check Failureerror can be caused by a variety of issues, including memory problems and virus infections.

But the most common reason is that the drivers you were using on the previous version of the OS are not compatible with Windows 10.

As a result, the OS gives you theKernel Security Check Failureerror message followed by the 0x000000139 error code.

Here are some specific situations in which the annoying Kernel Security Check Failure error often occurs:

How do I fix Kernel Security Check Failure?

1. Use a dedicated third-party repair tool

The Kernel Security Check Failure BSOD error is not to be reckoned with as it may be caused by a lot of possible issues, all covered in this guide.

However, before starting to tweak your system with a more complicated solution, you should try adedicated solutionthat can help you solve this issue automatically.

3. Update and fix your drivers

All the BSoD errors can be caused by missing or corrupted drivers so updating or replacing them might be the key to fixing the Kernel Security Check Failure error.

4. Use System File Checker and Memory Diagnostic

Go toAdvanced Startup Options.

2.Tap onTroubleshoot.

3.Go toAdvanced Options.

4.Click onStartup Settings.

Press theRestartbutton located on the lower right side of the screen. Your operating system should boot with the minimum system requirements.

6.Left-click theSearchfeature located on the taskbar and typecmdin it.

7.Click onRun as administratorto openCommand Promptwith full privileges.

8.Type the following command and hitEnterto run it:sfc /scannow

Wait until the scanning process completes, then typeExitand hitEnter.
Now it’s time to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. To start off, click on theSearchbutton in your taskbar.

11.Typememory,and selectRun as administratorunder theWindows Memory Diagnosticoption.

12.SelectRestart now and check for problems.

After the reboot, the OS will automatically check your RAM and display the possible reasons why you got the Blue Screen of Death error.
Reboot your PC normally.
Check to see if the Kernel Security Check Failure BSOD error persists.

Another fix for the Kernel Security Check Failure error is to perform an SFC scan and then run the Memory Diagnostic tool. These will scan your PC for errors and are likely to fix the problem.

5. Update your PC

Make sure that you’re running the latest Windows OS updates on your machine. As a quick reminder, Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues.

6. Scan your PC for viruses

If the Windows Defender cannot remove the malware detected, the best option is to try out athird-party antivirus with a better detection rate.

Run a full system scan to detect and remove any virus or malware that potentially sneaks into your PC. Malware may cause various issues on your computer, including the Kernel Security Check Failure error.

7. Check your disk for errors

If the system is in use, you will be asked if you want to act as a restart. PressYand thenEnter, then restart your computer.

This process can be time-consuming. Depending on the hard drive’s memory, it can go between half an hour and two hours before it is done.

We also have a complete guide onhow to repair hard drive errorsso you can refer to it for more in-depth information.

8. Run your PC in Safe Mode

If you don’t want to reset your computer, you can try toboot your computer in Safe Modeto identify if any apps or software are causing this problem.

The steps above showed you how to fix the Kernel Security Check Failure error message on your Windows 10 PC.

If there is a hardware failure of the HDD or the RAM in your device, you will most likely have to replace it with a new one.

9. Perform a System Restore

If the System Restore fails to extract the original copy, read our guide onwhat to do if the System Restore fails.

If the problem started recently after you installed new software on your computer, run System Restore. This tool helps you to remove recently added apps and programs.

Windows 10 offers a series of advanced recovery option that allows users to clean and install the OS. You can also use theReset this PCrecovery option.

10. Fix the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code on Windows 11

Now, you probably figured out by now that the error is by no means exclusive to Windows 10. So, what is kernel security check failure 11?

It’s the very same issue that has found a way to sneak into Microsoft’s newest OS as well. Don’t worry, we also have a solid guide on how tofix Kernel Security Check Failure on Windows 11.

If the System Restore didn’t manage to resolve the problem, then follow the next extra methods to ensure that this issue is resolved once and for all.

If this solution hasn’t resolved your problem, then the only method that remains is to try to reset your PC entirely.

? How to prevent Kernel Security Check Failure in the future

BSOD or stop errors can cause a lot of stress and worry and even more so when it occurs after you update your system like the Kernel Security Check Failure.

The triggers are usually similar, so we can give you a few tips onhow to avoid Kernel Security Check Failureand BSOD errors in general in the future.

An updated system will always work better, and it also enables you to use the latest security features, and patches released by Microsoft.

This ensures prolonged system stability and safety in the online environment. It is recommended that you check for updates as often as possible, and you can do so by following these simple steps:

Not all the drivers are updated automatically, most of them you will find within theView optional updateslink from theWindows Updatessettings menu.

To reach this menu, simply follow these steps:

Uninstall unnecessary programs from your PC and run theDisk Cleanuptool from time to time because a clean system is less prone to errors and BSoDs.

Just type disk cleanup in Windows search and click onDisk Cleanupfrom the results to start it. Then select the category of files you want to delete and hit theOKbutton.

This is just a quick way of doing some internal cleaning but you can also delete the unused and old files manually by using File Explorer or you can use adedicated cleaning software.

We encountered this issue in the office while we were trying to set up a network, so the steps described in this guide are the ones that helped us fix the issue.

If you have any additional questions regarding this subject, please don’t hesitate to write us in the comments section below and we will be happy to answer.

Kernel Security Check Failure: Definitive Guide to Fix#

What causes Kernel Security Check failure?#

How do I fix Kernel Security Check Failure?#

1. Use a dedicated third-party repair tool#

2. Enable legacy advanced boot menu#

3. Update and fix your drivers#

4. Use System File Checker and Memory Diagnostic#

5. Update your PC#

6. Scan your PC for viruses#

7. Check your disk for errors#

8. Run your PC in Safe Mode#

9. Perform a System Restore#

10. Fix the Kernel Security Check Failure stop code on Windows 11#

? How to prevent Kernel Security Check Failure in the future#