Critical Service Failed error is a blue screen error that makes the Windows operating system inoperable. This error is usually caused by damaged hardware or a problem with the device driver. This article will show you how to fix Critical Service Failed blue screen error on Windows.
This error code is usually displayed in the Technical Information paragraph with its error name (Critical Service Failed) at the top of the screen. If the blue screen shows any of the phrases below, you need to find a way to fix the Critical Service Failed error:
- 0x0000005A
- STOP: 0x0000005A
- CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED
The phrase “CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED” is not normally displayed on the error screen, but the error only has code 0x0000005A.
The error screen will look like this:
The text on the error screen may vary depending on the version of Windows you use, but it all points to the same 0x0000005A error.
The cause of the error
1. Incompatible device drivers
The main cause of this error is that the device driver is corrupted or not updated. This can happen after a Windows update, drive read/write failure, or system downgrade.
2. Corrupt system files
Another cause of Critical Service Failed error is a damaged or lost main system file. This usually happens due to a virus attack, power failure, or drive read/write failure.
How to fix Critical Service Failed error on Windows.
1. How to fix Critical Service Failed with Easy Recovery Essentials software.
Easy Recovery Essentials has a built-in Automated Repair tool that can fix error 0x0000005A. You can refer to how to do it in the article How to fix Winload.efi is missing on Windows.
2. How to fix Critical Service Failed error on Windows XP
Method 1: Remove the hardware or uninstall the device driver.
The main cause of Critical Service Failed error means that the hardware or device driver is not compatible with the Windows XP system. If you recently installed hardware or device drivers, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Remove the hardware from the computer and reboot the system. Remove all other peripherals from the computer, including scanners, printers, and USBs, and then restart the computer.
Step 2. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the device driver. To boot into Safe Mode, refer to the article Booting in Safe Mode on Windows XP.
Method 2: Run chkdsk command
To run the chkdsk command, follow these steps:
Step 1. Insert the Windows XP installation CD into the computer.
Step 2. Restart the computer and boot from the CD.
Step 3. Press R to open Recovery Console.
Step 4. Type admin password.
Step 5. On the Command Prompt that appears, type the following command and press Enter.
chkdsk C: /r
Replace C: with the Windows XP installation drive letter.
Method 3: Run sfc command
- How to run the SFC (System File Checker) Offline?
Similar to the chkdsk command above, the sfc command can fix the 0x0000005A error on Windows XP. To run the sfc command, follow Steps 1 to 4 as above. On the Command Prompt, enter the following command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:windows
Replace C: with the Windows XP installation drive letter.
3. How to fix Critical Service Failed on Windows Vista
Method 1: Removing Peripherals
If the above error is caused by a peripheral device (scanner, printer, USB drive, smartphone, tablet, etc.) you just installed on your computer, remove it but do not remove the keyboard and mouse, then restart the computer.
If using a laptop, unplug it from the wall outlet If it’s charging, don’t use the battery, plug in the AC adapter and restart the computer.
Method 2. Access to Last Known Good Configuration mode
If the above doesn’t solve the problem, try booting Windows Vista into Last Known Good Configuration mode. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Restart your computer.
Step 2. After the BIOS screen appears, press the F8 key repeatedly before the Windows Vista logo appears.
Step 3. When the boot menu appears, select Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced).
Step 4. Press Enter.
Cách 3. Uninstall driver
If the 0x0000005A error is not caused by hardware failure, it may be due to the device driver. If you recently installed the driver, uninstall it and restart the computer.
If you can’t boot into Windows Vista due to the blue screen error, boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the driver.
To access Safe Mode, refer to the article All about starting Windows in Safe Mode.
Cách 4. Run Startup Repair
Windows Vista computers have the Startup Repair tool installed on the hard drive. If not installed, use the Windows Vista installation disc to access System Recovery Options > Startup Repair.
To check if the system recovery tool is installed on the hard drive, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Restart your computer.
Step 2. Press the F8 key right after the computer restarts, before the Windows Vista logo appears on the screen.
Step 3. In Advanced Boot Options menu, find Repair your computer option.
Step 4. If so, select that option and press Enter.
If there is no system recovery tool on your computer, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Restart your computer.
Step 2. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc into the computer.
Step 3. When you see Press any key to boot from a CD or DVD… press any key to boot from a CD or DVD.
Step 4. Click Repair your computer on the Install now screen.
Step 5. Select the operating system from the list that appears.
Step 6. Click Startup Repair.
Step 7. Follow the instructions on the screen.
4. How to fix Critical Service Failed on Windows 7
Method 1: Removing Peripherals
Removing Peripherals and restart your computer.
Method 2: Boot into Last Known Good Configuration mode
Do the same as method 2 on Windows Vista.
Method 3: Uninstall device driver
Uninstall incompatible drivers on Windows 7. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the driver. See the article Enable Safe Mode in Windows 7 for more information.
Method 4: Use Startup Repair
Unlike Windows Vista, Windows 7 has the necessary system recovery tool on the hard drive to open Startup Repair. Startup Repair will automatically fix Windows 7 non-starting problems. Refer to the article How to use the Startup Repair tool to fix problems in Windows 7.
5. How to fix Critical Service Failed error on Windows 8, 10
Method 1. Uninstall device driver
Unlike on Windows Vista and Windows 7, uninstalling incompatible device drivers can fix the 0x0000005A error. To uninstall drivers in Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10, boot in Safe Mode and select Uninstall Drivers from the Control Panel. Refer to the articles Enable, use, and disable Safe Mode in Windows 8 and How to enter Safe Mode in Windows 10 at startup.
Method 2. Temporarily remove the hardware from the computer
If you just plugged your hardware or peripheral into your computer, unplug it and restart your Windows 8 or Windows 10 computer.
We wish you success!
