What to Do When You Encounter the Windows 10/11 BSoD BAD_POOL_HEADER Error

Experiencing a blue screen error indicates a critical system issue requiring a computer shutdown. Occasional occurrences may result from glitches, but recurring instances, even with different error messages, likely signal underlying problems with the computer.

The blue screen error BAD_POOL_HEADER is one of the more difficult problems to troubleshoot. This Blue Screen of Death or BSoD error makes all the active programs crash and shuts down the computer after displaying the error. It can also immediately happen during startup.

What Is the BAD_POOL_HEADER Error on Windows 10/11?

The BAD_POOL_HEADER error is a Windows 10/11 bug check that is associated with the stop code 0x00000019. This error basically indicates that something went into the memory pool and corrupted it. Before the blue screen appears, users may notice a slow down in the computer’s performance and unresponsive mouse and keyboard input. Your computer might also periodically freeze for a few seconds at a time. These are indications that your computer is experiencing a critical issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

The blue screen error BAD_POOL_HEADER is often accompanied by any of the following messages:

• A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
  BAD_POOL_HEADER
• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. (0% complete)
  If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: BAD POOL HEADER

Aside from a corrupted physical memory, this error can also be caused by outdated or corrupted device drivers, overprotective anti-malware software, hardware changes, disk errors, or corrupted system files.

How to Fix the Windows 10/11 BAD_POOL_HEADER Error

Fixing the Windows 10/11 BAD_POOL_HEADER BSoD problem can be complicated, especially if the error just popped out of the blue and you have no idea what caused it. To ensure no further issues occur during the troubleshooting process, follow the basic solutions below to see if they can fix the error.

• Boot into safe mode and temporarily disable your antivirus and Firewall.
• Uninstall the apps that you no longer use.
• Delete junk files using Outbyte PC Repair.
• Run the sfc /scannow utility using Command Prompt to scan and restore corrupted system files.
• Restart your computer using normal mode and check whether the BSoD error still appears. If it does, then you might have some serious fixing to do.

Fix #1: Run the BSoD Troubleshooter.

The first thing you do when you encounter a BSoD error is to run the built-in troubleshooter on Windows 10/11. It can diagnose and fix the most common blue screen error s, such as BAD_POOL_HEADER.

To launch the BSoD troubleshooter, follow the steps below:

1. Click Start, then open the Settings app.
2. Click Update & Security, then choose Troubleshoot from the left menu.
3. On the right pane, select Blue Screen, then click the Run the troubleshooter button.

The troubleshooter will launch automatically and scan for any issues that may be causing the blue screen error BAD_POOL_HEADER. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply the fixes, then check if the error has been resolved.

Fix #2: Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

If the troubleshooter failed to fix the issue, the next step would be to check if your RAM module is corrupted or damaged. The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool checks your system for memory problems caused by recent changes to your computer. To run th is built-in tool,, simply follow the instructions below:

1. Click Start, then type in Memory Diagnostics Tool in the search dialog.
2. Right-click on Memory Diagnostics Tool from the search results.
3. Select Run as Administrator.
4. Choose Restart now and check for problems (recommended). Make sure you have saved all your work before you click this to avoid data loss.
5. Your computer will then restart and the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool will start checking your system for memory issues.

If you get a list of memory errors after the scan has been completed, just follow the instructions to apply the fixes. If there are no memory errors detected, it means that there is no problem with your RAM and your blue screen error might be caused by another factor.

Fix #3: Update All Device Drivers.

A faulty device driver is one of the most common causes of BSoD errors, such as BAD_POOL_HEADER. Updating the device driver is the easiest way to fix the issue. The problem is that it is difficult to pinpoint which driver is causing the error. So, instead of manually updating them one by one, you can run an automatic driver update instead, to update all your device drivers altogether.

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Click Start > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click This PC.
3. Choose Device Installation Settings, then select Yes, do this automatically.
4. Click Save Changes to apply the new settings.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Once your device drivers are updated, restart your computer and see if the blue screen error BAD_POOL_HEADER has been fixed.

Fix #4: Disable Fast Startup.

Fast Startup is a Windows feature that helps the Windows system boot faster. However, it can also interfere with the shutdown and restart process, causing various errors, such as BAD_POOL_HEADER.

To disable Fast Startup:

1. Press the Windows + R buttons to open Run.
2. Type in powercfg.cpl into the Run dialog, then hit OK.
3. Click Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (Recommended).
5. Click Save changes then close the window.

Restart your computer and see if this method made any difference.

Fix #5: Check Your Physical RAM.

Physical damages to your RAM cannot be detected by the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. So, if you think your computer’s memory is not working or is not seated properly, you need to open your device and check manually. Unseat all RAM modules from their slot, then re-seat them one by one while keeping an eye out for blue screen error BAD_POOL_HEADER.

Fix #6: Check for Disk Errors.

A faulty hard disk can also lead to blue screen errors. You can use the built-in disk check tool to scan your hard disk and external drives for problems and fix them.

To run a check disk, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
2. Click This PC.
3. Right-click Local Disk, then choose Properties.
4. Click on the Tools tab, then click the Check button under Error checking.
5. Click Scan drive and follow the instructions for the tool to detect and fix any errors found.

The scan will take only a few minutes, but fixing disk errors might take hours, so make sure to plug in your charger to avoid disruptions. Once completed, restart your computer and see if it fixes the blue screen error.

Summary

The BAD_POOL_HEADER blue screen error is generally associated with a corrupted memory pool, outdated drivers, corrupted system files, and disk errors. It can be challenging to resolve this error if you don’t know exactly what caused it. To make it easier for you, simply follow our troubleshooting guide above and see which solution works for you.