How to Fix Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled BSOD Error 0x0000003D

There have been reports of users experiencing the BSOD Error 0x0000003D on their Windows PCs. A stop message INTERRUPT_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED appears when this issue occurs. In case you’re having the same issue, this article may help.

BSOD Error 0x0000003D diagnosis and quick fix

Since you are here, you must not be able to log into your PC normally. No matter how many times you restart your computer, it has already entered an automatic repair loop wherein Monitor freezes and you get the Blue Screen. This is a system-level corruption wherein Windows boot simply fails.

Although there are different possibilities that can lead to this error, one should remove the HDD cables (for desktop only), clean them then re-attach cables back to the hard disk. Besides correcting the issue, this will save a lot of time of yours. If this does not fix the problem, you have to go through different sections and make sure they are all working properly.

What causes BSOD Error 0x0000003D

There are several reasons that can cause this bug check error 0x0000003D on your device like – sudden power fluctuation, incompatible device drivers, corrupt system files, etc. Having an old version of Windows 10 OS may also lead to Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled Stop Error. To fix this kernel error, you need to enter Safe Mode on your device and apply workarounds like – SFC, CHKDSK, Disk Cleanup Tool, and others. If none of the solutions work, either use previously created system restore points or fresh install Windows 10 OS.

Fix – Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled Error 0x0000003D

To resolve Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled BSOD Error 0x0000003D on Windows 10, use the following workarounds –

1] Remove peripheral GPU/ External HDD or SSD

Sudden power fluctuation may stop the in-built processes of the system causing the Blue screen of death error. If that occurs to your computer as well, you should remove any secondary peripheral devices then re-connect the same. If there occurs any issue on the HDD/ GPU may prevent you from accessing the Windows Screen normally.

Additionally, make sure to remove the Mouse and Keyboard as well while unplugging the secondary devices. Wait for a while, re-plug the mouse, and restart your PC. Try reconnecting the devices one by one and see if anyone of them result in a System crash error. If yes, replace that particular device otherwise follow the next solution.

Note: If you are using a Desktop, try unplugging the wires of hard-disk then re-attach them back to resolve this Stop Error.

2] Open Windows in Safe Mode

Since you are not getting the Login screen, we suggest signing into the PC under Safe Mode. Safe Mode basic system programs and drivers prevent any third-party apps that may cause the Error 0x0000003D.

Note: Usually, BSOD are of two types –

Without Login Screen – In this case, you need to access the Advanced Startup option. One should repeat this process two or three times consecutively during the startup to get the troubleshoot Windows.

With Login Screen – If the booting window appears, sign in to your PC and launch the Run dialog using (Win+R). Type “ms-settings:recovery” in the void thereafter press the OK button. Move to the right pane and click Restart now under the Advanced startup section.

Once you reach the Advanced Startup, follow these easy steps –

Step-1: Choose the Troubleshoot button.

Step-2: Henceforth, follow the sequence –

Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart

Step-3: While the BIOS is loading, press any of the suitable function keys like F4 to Safe Mode or F5 to Safe mode with networking.

Step-4: This will take you to the login screen, check for recently installed programs and services. Once found, either uninstall or disable them.

In case, Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled still exists, try the below methods after entering into the safe mode –

Note: There is no need to get the login screen for executing any command lines on Windows Console. Instead, navigate to the below address –

Advanced Startup Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt

Now follow the below troubleshooting methods to fix the BSOD error 0x0000003D on an elevated command prompt.

3] Perform the SFC Scan

Corrupt or obsolete system files may cause this Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled BSOD error 0x0000003D on your computer. Hence, we suggest performing a full scan using the system file checker utility. In general, this looks for any damaged system core files and repair the same. Here’s how to proceed –

Right-click on the Windows icon and select Run from the Power menu.
Type cmd in the text field and simultaneously press Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys.
If the User Account Control window pops in, tap Yes.
Next, type sfc/scannow and press the Enter key. Usually, this takes 10-15 minutes, so wait accordingly.

Lastly, Restart your PC and try opening the Windows normally. You may access the Windows screen without getting the Stop error 0x0000003D.

4] Check the disk using the CHKDSK command

The insufficient disk performance may also cause the BSOD error code 0x0000003D on your Windows 10 device. In such cases, use CHKDSK to look for any underlying faults and repair them (if found).

At first, go through the method-2 to launch the system into safe mode and open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Copy/paste the below code and press the Enter key to begin the scanning process.

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

Here, chkdsk means executing the scanning process.

Here are the proper definitions of each character used above –

c – is the disk drive where the Windows installed.
f – means the settings to detect the faults.
r – represents scanning faults in the specified disk drive.
x – implies the partition of the disk drive and let’s begin the repairing process.

5] Identify and repair corrupt image files

In a few cases, Windows image files get corrupt and thus prevent users from accessing their Desktop Screen normally. Here are the essential steps to work upon –

On the blue screen window, click Advanced Startup Options then Troubleshoot on the next page.
Hit the Advanced Options then choose Command Prompt among six available options.

Subsequently, execute the below command line –

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

This will look for the faulty Windows images and repairs them if it founds any. Just make sure to have the proper internet connectivity to complete this task.
Restart the PC and check if the BSOD Error 0x0000003D resolves or is still occurring.

6] Install the latest monthly updates

Microsoft releases monthly cumulative updates to fix several bugs that appear from time to time on your OS. If any patch remains pending may also result in similar BSOD errors. Installing recent releases might help to overcome this situation.

Click the Start button and select the Gear icon (Settings).
When the settings window launches, tap Update & Security thereafter Windows Update.
Move to the right pane and click Check for updates button to find any pending KB.

If there is indeed any pending patch, download and install the same.
Lastly, Restart your PC so that the new update starts working on your device.

7] Uninstall the recent Patch releases

Sometimes, installing a corrupt update release may also cause the Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled BSOD Error 0x0000003D. If that’s the case, you should remove the newly installed cumulative updates and check whether it helps to counter the issue or not.

Note: Always install the monthly updates visiting the Microsoft’s official website.

Go to the Settings app (using Win + I hotkey).
When the new window comes into view, select Update & Security category.
Move to the right pane of the Windows Update section and tap View update history.

Tap the Uninstall updates link to move ahead.
Locate recent updates and hit the Uninstall button available on the top ribbon.
Once over, open the Windows 10 OS normally after performing a reboot.

8] Remove any Malware that exists on your PC

If there is a virus attack on the system, your PC starts running slow and ineffectively. The presence of such malicious files may also generate the blue screen of death errors. In such scenarios, you should run the Windows Defender, an in-built security app by Microsoft, to clean any malware that affects your computer performance. Here’s how to proceed-

At first, tap the up arrow on the Taskbar and select the Windows Security icon.
On the next window, select the shied icon (Virus & threat protection).
Moving below, hit the Scan options link thereafter mark the Full scan radio button.
Scroll down and tap Scan now to let the detection begins.

Usually, this takes a few minutes to search for any errors on the HDD. So, wait for a while.
Lastly, you will receive three consecutive options, select Remove then Start actions to wipe all the malicious components on the operating system.

9] Update the corrupt Drivers with Yellow exclamation mark

In general, a damaged or incompatible device driver may also result in BSOD error 0x0000003D on the PC. To fix this bugcheck, it is important to timely update the drivers. All you need is to open the Device Manager and locate the faulty drivers with the Yellow exclamation mark. Now, use the below steps to update these drivers –

Do the right-click on the Windows icon and select Device Manager.
Expand each section separately and find out the Yellow exclamation mark beside any device driver.
Once found, right-click on the faulty driver and choose the Update driver option.
You will get two consecutive options; choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Just follow the remaining instructions to complete the remaining task.

This will auto-search for the suitable driver and update the faulty ones. Just make sure that you have a proper internet connection to download the particular update driver.
Once the updating process finishes, Restart your computer.

10] Delete junk files using Disk Cleanup Tool

The piling up of unnecessary cache while using different apps and services may result in system crashes. If that’s the case, you should use the disk clean-up utility to remove these junk files –

Go to the Search bar, type cleanmgr in the text field and click the Disk Cleanup.
Select the root drive (mostly C:) that you are going to clean and hit OK.
The system will start collecting the temporary as well as the unnecessary files.
Next, click the “Clean up system file” button.

Going ahead, choose the C: drive again and press the OK button.
Subsequently, mark all the check-boxes and hit OK to delete these data.
After this completes the cleaning process, Restart your system so as to remove any leftovers as well.

11] Rebuild Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

The other common reason that causes this Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled BSOD Error 0x0000003D is due to corrupt boot configuration data on Windows 10. To fix this bugcheck error, you need to reset the BCD codes going through these simple steps –

Click on the Advanced Startup Options on the blue screen.
From three consecutive options, click Troubleshoot.
Next, select Advanced Options followed by the Command Prompt.
When the prompt appears, run the following codes one after another and separately hit the Enter key.

bootrec /scanos
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

After executing the above codes, Restart your system and check if the Error 0x0000003D resolves or not.

In case, the trouble continues to persist even after this, apply the next workarounds –

12] Use System Restore point

In general, when you install a new application; there is a possibility of a faulty program that enters and triggers the BSOD error. If that’s the case, it becomes too complex to identify the incorrect programs and resolve the issue. System Restore is a nice tool by Windows that reverts your OS to an earlier state where it was running completely normal. However, it requires you must have created a restore point at an earlier stage. Here’s how to restore the recently created System Restore point –

Note: If you haven’t created any restore point in the past, skip this and fresh install Windows 10.

Open the Windows in safe mode. Jointly press Windows key and R to launch the Run dialog.
Type “rstrui” near the winking cursor and hit the OK button.
When the System Restore window starts, press the Next button. Next, hit the Show more restore points in order to see the available restore points.

Select the latest restore point followed by the Next again. Lastly, hit the Finish button then Yes to start restoring the Windows operating system.
When this process is over, your PC will restart and remove any recent changes that you have made on your computer.

This method will surely help to resolve the blue screen of death error.

13] Perform a clean install of Windows

You must have solved the Blue screen of death error 0x0000003D by now. However, if it is still there, you are left with only one choice and that is to clean install Windows 10. As its name suggests, this will clear any data, logs or files that lie on your PC. Therefore, make sure to create a backup of your personal files or folders. Additionally, you need a Media Creation Tool and sufficient storage on HDD (minimum 4 GB for 32 bit and 8 GB for 64-bit) for a fresh installation of Windows 10 OS.

Let’s explore the essential steps –

Insert the Windows installation media (USB flash drive) to its respective port and Restart your PC.
While the BIOS is loading, press any of the supported function keys i.e. Del, Esc, F2, F9 to enter into the boot mode.
When the setup wizard starts, click Next thereafter Install now.
On the next screen, enter the genuine product key. You may skip this step for now and later fill in the same.
Now, accept the license terms, click Next again thereafter select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.
Delete the previous partitions and re-create new ones.
After the “out of box experience” (OOBE) window comes up, follow on-screen instructions and thus fresh install Windows 10 operating system.

We hope this guide helps to resolve the Interrupt_Exception_Not_Handled BSOD Error 0x0000003D. If you have any queries related to this post, do ask us in the below comment section.