How to fix ‘PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA’ errors

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error is a blue screen error that is caused by Windows not being able to find a piece of data it expected to find. It can indicate a memory error, physical memory issues, a driver error or Windows swap file issue. All but one of those is fixable without needing to buy new memory.

Steps to fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA errors

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA manifests itself as a blue screen (BSOD). It may appear intermittently or it may appear regularly, it varies from computer to computer. I’m going to list a few ways you can troubleshoot it. As always, try each step individually and reboot. If the error stops appearing, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.

1. Remove any recently installed drivers, especially third-party unsigned ones. Drivers are a common cause of this memory fault so this is a good place to start.
2. Uninstall any programs or hardware you added immediately before the error started appearing and retest.
3. Open a CMD window as an administrator and type ‘Chkdsk /f /r’. Allow the process to complete and make any repairs it needs.

Reset Windows virtual memory settings

If the above steps didn’t work, try disabling and re-enabling Windows virtual memory management.

1. Navigate to Control Panel, System and Security, System, Advanced System Settings.
2. Select Settings next to Performance and then Advanced.
3. Select Change under Virtual memory.
4. Uncheck the box next to ‘Automatically manage paging file size…’.
6. Perform all the above steps in reverse and recheck the box next to ‘Automatically manage paging file size…’.
7. Reboot once more and retest.

Check your RAM

Once we have eliminated the most likely software culprits, it’s time to look at hardware.

Download and run MemTest86+. Run the tests, swap memory sticks and slots and run the test again. If the fault follows the memory stick, it is likely the RAM itself at fault. If the errors stay on the same slot, the memory slot may be at fault. Try moving to a different memory slot altogether and run the test again.

It is possible to ignore a fault memory slot if you have spares. Otherwise, you may need to consider a new motherboard.

Do you know of any other ways to troubleshoot ‘PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA’ errors? Let us know below if you do!