This error code is also known as:
STOP Error 0xC000021A STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED (Status System Process Terminated) HALT: C000021A {Fatal System Error} STOP c000021A
If you are experiencing any of these stop codes on your Windows PC, then this article is for you. Here, we discuss all of the possible solutions that may fix the error on your PC without having to reinstall the OS.
What Causes Error with Stop Code 0xC000021A?
0xC000021A blue screen error occurs for multiple reasons. Most commonly, it has to do with the “Winlogon.exe” file, which is responsible for handling and loading the user profile on the logon (among other responsibilities), or the “CSRSS.exe” file, which is responsible for managing the graphical instruction sets on the Windows OS.
What Causes Error with Stop Code 0xC000021A? Fix Windows Error 0xC000021A Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Boot into Safe Mode Fix Corrupted Files with DISM and SFC Repair BCD files Run Startup Repair Update/Reinstall Drivers Set Fastboot to Thorough Run the CHKDSK Utility Scan Computer for Malware Restore PC to Earlier State Reset Windows Final Verdict
However, other factors like a corrupted or malfunctioning driver, malware, or improperly-installed software also contribute to prompting this error code. Let us now discuss the various techniques you can adapt to address the issue.
Fix Windows Error 0xC000021A
Perform the following solutions to fix the stop code 0xC000021A in the given chronological order, which begins with a less-aggressive approach to a more aggressive one. Before going through the list of solutions to fix windows stop code 0xc000021a, make sure to unplug all external devices like printers, scanners, USB drives etc. and make sure this issue is not related to any external device.
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
By default, Windows is only configured to run signed drivers to ensure that a driver is authentic and not malware disguised as a driver. If you install unsigned drivers, it may trigger a fatal system error causing an error with stop code 0xC000021A. However, you can disable this signed-driver enforcement directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Here is how: Windows will now automatically restart and try to boot normally. Check if you still experience bsod error 0xc000021a. If you do, there are other solutions to fix this problem. However, if you don’t, there is an unsigned driver on your computer. To ensure it is completely harmless, we suggest you run a deep malware scan.
Boot into Safe Mode
Since you encounter the stop code 0xc000021a error message, it is unlikely that you can boot into Windows normally. Hence, many of the solutions would need to be performed after booting into safe mode. To boot into safe mode, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds to switch the machine off forcefully. Once off, turn it back on again. Repeat the process 3 times and Windows will automatically boot into Windows Recovery (WinRe). From there, navigate to the following: The device will now restart again. This time, you will be presented with a list of options you can choose from by using the function keys on the keyboard (F1-F9). Press the one that says “Enable Safe Mode with Networking.” Now that your computer has entered safe mode, you can perform the majority of the solutions from there.
Fix Corrupted Files with DISM and SFC
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) are built-in tools in Windows that can scan and repair system files. Once you can boot into Windows (normally or through Safe Mode), use the following steps to run the DISM and SFC scans in an attempt to repair the critical system files: Note: Safe Mode with Networking also has Command Prompt available. Please make sure you have Windows installation media with you before running sfc scan otherwise you’ll have problems completing the scan. Once the scans have been run successfully and all files have been repaired, boot normally again and check to see if the error is gone.
Repair BCD files
BCD files are important for the system to run and boot up smoothly. These files may have been damaged causing a blue screen error 0xc000021a. You can repair these by following the guide given below. Now check to see if you can now boot Windows into normal mode. If these repair attempts haven’t worked for you yet, let us try running a startup repair from WinPE.
Run Startup Repair
Startup Repair is another Windows OS automatic repair tool that resolves common Windows issues when your OS cannot boot. Here is how you can run the Startup Repair tool: Once it reboots, check to see if the issue has been resolved.
Update/Reinstall Drivers
As we mentioned earlier, the “0xC000021A” stop code can also occur due to outdated or faulty drivers. In that case, you must either update the driver or reinstall the current driver. Follow these steps to update your driver: If the driver cannot be updated, we suggest that you uninstall the device and then reinstall the driver. To do so, open the Device Manager again, right-click the device with the faulty driver and click Uninstall device from the context menu. You will then be asked if you want to remove the driver as well. Check the box and click Uninstall. It is also possible that it states “The best drivers for your device are already installed.” In this case, you can attempt to install the driver manually. Once removed, reinstall the driver using the manufacturer’s website and you will have a fresh version of the file causing the problem.
Set Fastboot to Thorough
Fastboot is a BIOS feature that allows your computer to boot up quickly while bypassing certain unnecessary booting procedures. This can occasionally cause an improper system boot resulting in a Windows error. Therefore, we suggest that you disable Fastboot, which means changing its settings from “Minimal” to “Thorough.” Now check to see if the issue has been resolved.
Run the CHKDSK Utility
CHKDSK is a command-line utility that scans your hard drives for damaged system files, bad sectors and attempts to repair them. If it fails to repair any discovered bad sectors, it informs the operating system not to use them. Either way, it makes the hard drive usable again, if the issue rose because of bad sectors in the first place. Once it reboots, check if the error is gone. Once it reboots, the Check Disk utility will run and scan your hard drive. This can take a while, in some cases, hours. Let the scan finish and reboot into Windows.
Scan Computer for Malware
A virus may be infecting your PC and affecting the Winlogon.exe or CSRSS.exe files, resulting in the 0xC000021A error code. If so, you must run a deep malware scan of your PC and remove/quarantine any anomalies. Use the built-in Windows Security Antivirus (formerly Windows Defender) to scan your computer for malware. Here is how to do it: You can also perform a scan using a third-party antivirus. Here is a list of the top antivirus software to use to perform the scan. If you are proceeding to purchase antivirus software, here are the 17 aspects you should always consider. Once the virus is removed/quarantined, check to see if you can now boot into Windows normally without seeing the BSoD.
Restore PC to Earlier State
Restoring a PC refers to taking your Windows to a state it was earlier captured in. It means all system configuration, network settings, and files and folders will revert to a point in time as if nothing ever happened after that. Of course, there needs to be a restore point in the history of the PC to revert it to. This can be enabled by using Backup & Restore. If you have already created a restore point in the past that you can revert to, follow these steps: This should take your PC back to when the restore point was created. If the “0xC000021A” BSoD issue did not exist back then, then it should be resolved. Windows will now restore to a previous restore point. This step can take some time to complete. Do not reboot or turn off your computer during this point and wait for the restoration to complete. At this point, we suggest that you do not perform the same tasks which lead to the BSoD in the first place.
Reset Windows
Resetting the computer brings all configurations back to their factory default settings and values. If the solutions discussed above did not work for you, then you must now reset your PC. Here is how:
Final Verdict
The solutions provided above should fix error code 0xC000021A. These solutions are also recommended by Microsoft Experts. However, in case you are still experiencing the same problem, then the only solution might be to perform a clean Windows installation as we have already tried pretty much everything else at this point.
