Step-by-Step Fix for Stop Code 0X0000007B – No More Blue Screen Woes

The error will always appear on a STOP message, more commonly called aBlue Screen of Death (BSOD) .

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How to Fix STOP 0x0000007B Errors

Some of these steps may require you toaccess Windows via Safe Mode . Just skip those steps if that’s not possible.

1. Restart your computer if you haven’t already done so. The STOP 0x0000007B blue screen error might be a fluke.
   
2. Did you just install or make a change to a hard drive controller? If so, there’s a good chance that the change you made caused the STOP 0x0000007B error. Undo the change and test for the 0x7B blue screen error.

Depending on what changes you made, some solutions might include:

• Removing or reconfiguring the newly installed hard drive controller
• Starting up with Last Known Good Configuration to undo relatedregistry and driver changes
• Using System Restore to undo recent changes
• Rolling back the hard drive controller device driver to the version prior to your driver update

3. Verify that the SCSI chain is correctly terminated , assuming you’re usingSCSI hard drives in your computer. Incorrect SCSI termination has been known to cause STOP 0x0000007B errors.
   Most home computers don’t utilize SCSI hard drives but insteadPATA orSATA .
4. Verify that the hard drive is properly installed. An improperly installed hard drive could cause this error and other issues.
5. Verify that the hard drive is configured properly in BIOS . The STOP 0x0000007B error could occur if the hard drive settings inBIOS are incorrect.
6. Scan your computer for viruses . Certain malware that infects themaster boot record (MBR) orboot sector can cause STOP 0x0000007B errors.
   Make sure your virus scanning software is updated and configured to scan the MBR and boot sector. See ourBest Free Antivirus Software list if you don’t already have one.
7. Update the drivers for your hard drive controller . If the drivers to your hard drive controller are outdated, incorrect, or corrupted, the STOP 0x0000007B error will likely occur.
   If the error occurs during the Windows setup process and you suspect that the reason is driver related, be sure to install the latest hard drive controller driver from the manufacturer for use during the installation of theoperating system .
   This is a likely solution if the secondhexadecimal number after the STOP code is 0xC0000034.
8. Change the SATA mode in BIOS toIDE mode. Disabling some of the advanced features of SATA drives in BIOS could stop the STOP 0x0000007B error from showing up, especially if you’re seeing it in Windows XP or during a Windows XP installation.
   Depending on your BIOS make and version, SATA mode may be referred to as_AHCI mode_ and IDE mode may be referred to as either_Legacy_ ,ATA , or_Compatibility Mode_ .
   While not a common solution, you might also want to try the reverse: see if IDE mode is selected in BIOS and if so, change it to AHCI, especially if you see the STOP 0x0000007B error in Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista.
   If you see this STOP error_after making the BIOS change_ on a Windows 7 or Vista computer, you might need to enable the AHCI disk driver. See Microsoft’s instructions on making that change in Windows Registry.
9. Run chkdsk on your hard drive . If the boot volume is corrupted, the chkdsk command might repair the corruption.
   You’ll likely have to run chkdsk from theRecovery Console .
   This will likely be the solution if the second hexadecimal number_after_ the STOP code is 0xC0000032.
10. Perform an extensive test of your hard drive . If your hard drive has a physical problem, one very likely situation is the STOP 0x0000007B error you’re seeing.
    Replace the hard drive if the diagnostics you complete suggest that there is a hardware problem with the drive.
11. Run the fixmbr command to create a new master boot record. A corrupted master boot record might be causing your STOP 0x0000007B error.
    This will likely be the solution if the second hexadecimal number_after_ the STOP code is 0xC000000E.
12. Clear the CMOS . Sometimes the STOP 0x0000007B error is caused by a BIOS memory issue. Clearing the CMOS could solve that problem.
13. Update your BIOS . In some situations, an outdated BIOS could cause this error due to incompatibilities with a hard drive controller.
14. Update the hard drive controller’sfirmware if possible. Just as with the BIOS in the previous step, an incompatibility could be causing the 0x7B error and a firmware update from the manufacturer may correct the problem.
15. Repair your Windows installation . If you’ve just replaced themotherboard in a computer without reinstalling Windows then this will likely fix your problem.
    
    Sometimes a Windows repair will not fix a STOP 0x0000007B error. In those cases, aclean installation of Windows should do the trick.

If you haven’t just replaced your motherboard, a Windows reinstall probably_will not_ fix your STOP 0x7B issue.
16. Perform basic STOP error troubleshooting . If none of the specific steps above help fix the STOP 0x0000007B error you’re seeing, take a look at this general STOP error troubleshooting guide. Since most STOP errors are similarly caused, some of the suggestions might help.

Need More Help?

If you’re not interested in fixing this problem yourself, seeHow Do I Get My Computer Fixed? for a full list of your support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a whole lot more.

Causes of the STOP 0x0000007B Errors

One of the errors below, or a combination of both errors, might display on the STOP message:

STOP: 0x0000007BINACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

The STOP 0x0000007B error may also be abbreviated as STOP 0x7B, but the fullSTOP code will always be what’s displayed on the blue screen STOP message.

If Windows is able to start after the STOP 0x7B error, you might be prompted with a_Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown_ message that shows:

Problem Event Name: BlueScreenBCCode: 7b

STOP 0x0000007B errors are caused bydevice driver issues (especially those related tohard drive and other storage controllers), viruses, data corruption, and sometimes evenhardware failures.

Any of Microsoft’s Windows NT based operating systems could experience this error. This includesWindows 10 ,Windows 8 ,Windows 7 ,Windows Vista ,Windows XP , Windows 2000, and Windows NT.

If STOP 0x0000007B isn’t the exact STOP code you’re seeing or INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE isn’t the exact message, check ourComplete List of STOP Error Codes and reference the troubleshooting information for the STOP message that you are seeing.

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