How to Fix UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION Error on Windows 10/11?

Is your computer showing the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION error message? Maybe you just upgraded to Windows 10/11 and your computer crashed. Several users have complained about this issue in Microsoft Community.

In one incident, a user reported that the error had occurred when he had been playing a game (Smite). Coincidentally, the crash happened after he upgraded to Windows 10/11. In a similar incident, another user reported that his Samsung Ativ Book 9 had got the BSOD while using a music composition program (MuseScore).

Sometimes the error may be thrown when browsing, when trying to launch an application or even when starting your device from the sleep mode.

The above are just a few examples of how the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION BSOD error is inconveniencing users. Annoying as it is, the error should not stop you from using your Windows device. We have to find solutions to keep your system working correctly.

What is UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION?

UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION is a BSOD error that is common among users who upgraded their operating system to Windows 10/11. Just like any BSOD, the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION error crashes your Windows 10/11, but it doesn’t specify any driver or hardware that may have caused the BSOD.

Causes of UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION

No particular reason can be linked to the cause of the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION BSOD, so it’s difficult to find out what causes this error. Having said that, an improper Windows upgrade, antivirus software, and corrupted drivers are the main culprits.

How to fix UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION

Since Microsoft has not provided a straightforward solution to this bug, we will suggest a couple of tips to help you fix the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION error. Go through each of them until you find the one that solves this BSOD. Please be advised that some fixes may erase your data, so we suggest that you back up your important files before attempting any solution.

Solution 1: Perform Clean Boot

When you start Windows, several programs and services get activated automatically and start to run in the background. These applications and services may include antivirus software, basic system processes, and system utility applications. As they run, software conflicts may arise, so a clean boot is necessary to resolve software conflicts. To accomplish this task, follow the steps below:

• Press the Windows + R shortcut on the keyboard to open the run dialogue box.
• Type ‘msconfig’ in the run dialogue box and press Enter on the keyboard. The System Configuration window will open.
• Choose the Service tab to view all active programs. Click the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox, then hit the Disable all button.
• After that, go to the Startup tab and tap on the Open Task Manager option.
• Once the Task Manager window opens, choose the Startup tab.
• Identify all unwanted services, highlight them, and then click Disable. The only exception here is Windows safe services.
• Close the Task Manager window and go back to the Services Configuration window.
• Select the Boot tab.
• Uncheck the Safe boot checkbox and click OK.
• If prompted by System Configuration, click Restart and check if your PC can boot to Windows 10/11 normally.

Solution 2: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup could be the culprit. Some users have resolved the problem by disabling this option. To disable the fast startup feature, go through these steps:

• If you can boot your PC normally, go to the control panel directly; otherwise, boot your system into Safe Mode first before proceeding to the control panel.
• With the help of the search box, look for the control panel.
• Choose Control Panel > Power Options.
• Select the option that says, ‘Choose what the power button does’.
• Change settings for the defined power buttons and password protection.
• Uncheck the fast startup option and click Save Changes.

Solution 3: Update Your Drivers

An outdated driver could cause this problem. Therefore, it is important to ensure your Windows drivers are updated. You can accomplish this task by following the steps below:

• Press the Windows + X shortcut on the keyboard.
• Choose the Device Manager option from the menu.
• Wait for the Device Manager window to open, and then expand every dialog.
• Single out all drivers that have a yellow exclamation mark. These are the drivers you need to update.
• Right-click on the yellow exclamations marks and choose Update Driver Software.
• Choose the option that says, ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’. Windows will automatically detect the correct versions of the outdated drivers.
• After that, follow the on-screen instructions to install the updates.

Solution 4: Run System File Checker

Besides a clean boot, you can also run the System File Checker to scan for and restore corrupted system files. When you have a corrupted system file, you are more likely to receive the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION error message. To run the System File Checker, please follow this process:

• Open the command prompt by pressing the Windows and X keys on the keyboard.
• Look for the Command Prompt (Admin) option, then right-click it to run the utility as an administrator.
• If any User Account Control (UAC) box appears, click Yes.
• After that, enter ‘sfc /scannow’ in the command prompt and press Enter to run it.
• Wait for the process to complete. After that, restart your PC.

Solution 5: Install Windows Updates

Outdated software and hardware may trigger the error. For this reason, installing Windows updates can address most of the bugs caused by both software and hardware. To ensure your Windows is updated, follow these instructions:

• Type Windows Update in the search box in the taskbar, then choose the Check for updates option from the list of results.
• Tap on the Check for updates button.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to install available updates.

Solution 6: Uninstall Antivirus

As mentioned earlier, third-party antivirus software can cause the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION BSOD error. To check if your antivirus is the culprit, try disabling (or uninstalling) it and restart your PC. After that, check if the problem persists. Here is the process:

• Press the Windows + X shortcut on the keyboard to open the control panel.
• Choose Programs, and then look for the antivirus software.
• Right-click on it and choose Uninstall.
• After that, reboot your PC.

Solution 7: Repair the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION Error Automatically

If you don’t want to struggle with the manual fixes, use the Outbyte PC Repair software to automate the process. Outbyte is doing its best to help users eliminate common PC errors. This repair tool will run a complete checkup of your Windows system to identify and remove junk files, corrupted files, viruses, and applications that may cause your PC to crash.

We hope that you were able to resolve the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION error by implementing one of our suggested solutions. If you know of other strategies to fix this problem, please share them in the comments section below.