How to fix CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED error in Windows 10

What is “CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED” error

Windows Latest reports that with the latest KB4535996 update released by Microsoft for Windows 10, users started complaining about numerous crashes resulting in BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors. The patch was manufactured at the end of February and was supposed to fix previous problems, however, it only toped up the list of irritating errors. Besides that, some users did not manage to finish the installation of the update. Instead, the installation froze and subsequently broke into the failure. Unfortunately, the issue persists even after a reboot. Somebody got a little bit luckier since they successfully managed to install the update but still faced multiple issues with their PCs. Note that KB4535996 is a minor patch that is not necessary to install hence you can easily skip it. Therefore, the best and simplest method to get rid of the “CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED” error is obviously deleting the KB4535996 update. Keep reading below to learn how to do that and see some other tips that can be useful in fixing the issue.

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1. Uninstall KB4535996 update

As mentioned, the “CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED” error is caused by the KB4535996 patch which is malfunctioned. Therefore, we should simply uninstall it from our computer and roll back to the previous package that worked flawlessly. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Left-click on Start Menu in the bottom left corner of the screen and choose Settings. Or use Windows key + I combination.
2. Then select Update & Security.
3. On the left panel choose Windows Update.
4. Find and click on Update History and then on Uninstall Updates.
5. The new windows will appear with the list of installed updates.
6. Find the KB4535996 update, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
7. Restart your computer and see if it helped you get rid of the problem.

If this did not help you, more likely the error is related to other reasons which are discussed below.

2. Run System File Checker scan

If you do not have a KB4535996 package installed, but still receiving this error code, you should try scanning your system for corrupted or missing files since they could be damaged during an update or manual intervention. You do not need to download anything because we are going to use a utility already built into the system.

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start menu.
2. Then, type sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
3. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

Now check if the problem has disappeared.

3. Update drivers

As a rule, most users stumble upon system crashes due to driver problems. Drivers play a truly important work in proper communication between software and hardware. Without drivers, we would not even be able to launch our computers. Thus, you should check whether all drivers are installed and updated. To do this:

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device manager.
2. In the opened tab find the malfunctioned driver (marked with a yellow rectangle) and expand a drop-down menu.
3. Locate the driver, right-click on it, choose Update Driver and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Windows will start searching for available updates and automatically install them on your computer.

Sometimes updating drivers manually take a lot of time and exertion, especially if you have not done this before. Instead, you can download IOBit Driver Booster for free that will maintain your PC with fresh updates. Click on the button below to download it.

4. Run DISM scan

Another solution that can have a good effect on solving the issue is running Deployment Image Servicing and Management. It is a tool designed to detect and restore the health of the system. It has been very effective in fixing most of the problems including “CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED” error.

1. Go to the searching tab next to the Start menu and type cmd.
2. Then click on Command Prompt.
3. After the console is opened, paste this command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and click Enter.
4. The DISM scan may last up to 20 minutes so be patient and do not cancel the process.
5. Once finished, reboot your computer and see if anything has changed.

5. Scan for malware

Finally, malware can also become a major reason for various errors and crashes. After penetration, potentially unwanted programs and other viruses can modify settings and accidentally touch important areas. This is why we recommend running a full scan of your PC with anti-malware software. You can download Norton Antivirus that is capable of detecting multiple threats via the link below.

Summary

“CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED” error is indeed critical, however, according to our tutorial, the error has to be rectified and should no longer bother you with its annoying and outrageous behavior. It is also worth mentioning that there are other reasons that lead to multiple errors such as high CPU or GPU temperatures, overlocking, and hardware corruption.