Among all the stop codes Windows can come up with, NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT is the one you seldom see. It only surfaces when the Windows kernel detects that exception handling support is either not available or has failed.
It indicates that a kernel-mode driver, system module, or the OS tried to execute exception handling (the process by which unexpected errors in kernel mode are handled) but failed so Windows halted to prevent further damage.
The error points to a deeper problem like a corrupted driver or memory issue that Windows was unable to work around. The purpose of this blog is to break down this error, tell you why it shows up, and the steps you can take to effectively fix it on your PC.
NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING Error: The Basics
Every modern operating system relies on a built-in “exception handling” system. When the CPU comes across something unexpected like bad memory access or a hardware fault, Windows steps in, finds out what is wrong, and either tries to recover from it or shuts down the problematic process. NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT error tends to occur when Windows is juggling certain sensitive tasks like:
- Booting up, before the system has fully initialized
- Loading drivers, especially ones that interact with hardware
- Waking from sleep, when drivers and kernel components are reinitialized
- Running demanding applications, where memory and CPU operations are pushed harder than usual
NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING: Common Causes
From what we have seen and read on debugging forums, some common culprits behind the NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT blue screen error are:
- Corrupt or non-compatible drivers
- Faulty RAM or hardware issues
- System file or Registry corruption
- Incorrect BIOS/UEFI or Overclock Settings
- Interference from kernel-hooking security software such as rootkits or endpoint security software
Fixing the NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT Error: 5 Methods
Start with repairing system files to eliminate corruption issues. Type CMD in search and click Run as administrator. Now execute the following commands one after another:
- sfc /scannow
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
1. Remove Recently Installed Drivers or Updates
When you run into a low-level crash on Windows, see if a new driver installation or update has caused sudden instability.
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the driver you want to roll back and click Properties.
- Go to Driver tab and hit Roll Back Driver.
- Click OK to confirm.
- Update outdated drivers using the same method.
To roll back the last Windows update:
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click Update History and select Uninstall updates.
- Remove the last patch.
2. Perform Memory Diagnostic
If the RAM or kernel memory becomes corrupted, it can cause the interrupt handlers to point to invalid addresses. For this, test RAM sticks individually by swapping their slots and replace faulty modules if needed. Additionally, run the Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for and fix any underlying bugs.
- Open search, type CMD, and click Run as administrator.
- Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
- Click Restart now and check for problems.
- The PC will restart and automatically check for memory faults.
3. Disable Overclocking on Your PC
Overclocking increases CPU/GPU frequencies or memory timings beyond tested defaults. It can destabilize interrupt handling and result in NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT blue screen of death error on your PC.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security.
- Click Recovery from the left sidebar.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now and wait till Windows boots into Advanced Startup Options.
- Now, click Troubleshoot and select Advanced options.
- Click UEFI Firmware Settings and hit Restart.
- Your computer will now boot into BIOS.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab, and select Performance.
- Now, find the Overclocking option and disable it.
- Press the Esc key and choose Save and Exit.
4. Check Disk for Errors or Reset Windows
Disk errors are caused due to improper shut down or wear & tear. You can open then Command Prompt with Administrator privileges, type chkdsk and press Enter.
If the scan detects drive errors, enter chkdsk /r in the Command Prompt and press Enter to repair them. If this doesn’t work, you can try resetting Windows as a last resort.
Lost Files After the NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT Error?
Although BSoD errors do not themselves delete data but repeated crashes can corrupt files and drive partitions. If the error occurred while writing to the drive, it can result in data loss. In such scenarios, we recommend using a professional data recovery software – Stellar Data Recovery Professional to reclaim your lost files.
The software helps you recover data in complex loss scenarios like BSoD errors, logical drive failures, lost partitions, and more. Download, install & launch the software on your PC and recover data using Stellar Data Recovery is just three simple steps.
Bottom Line
We understand how BSoDs like the NO_EXCEPTION_HANDLING_SUPPORT hamper and stall your work midway. Such errors usually indicate a critical system error which you can resolve using the above methods.
