Fix: UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION BSOD Error 0x00000154

UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION is a type of Blue Screen error with bug check value 0x00000154. Usually, this occurs when Windows 10 can’t start some of the essential programs during the load time.

The presence of corrupted system files or Windows components may also raise this issue on the computer. Quite rarely, but this may also appear due to obsolete display adapters or bad sectors on the HDD.

In this guide, we have covered all of the above potential causes and proper steps in order to get rid of them. If you are using a third-party antivirus program, temporarily disable the same and try these workarounds sequentially –

• Disable Fast Startup
• Run SFC Scan
• Run DISM Scan
• Update Display Adapters
• Run CHKDSK

Unexpected Store Exception Error 0x00000154 Solutions

While receiving a blue screen, you won’t be able to boot into Windows normally. So, boot Windows into the safe mode first then try the below suggestions one by one –

1] Disable Fast Startup 

These days, we all crave faster speed whether it is net connectivity or extremely less boot time. However, what if your PC is not designed to sustain such a low boot time, or the components have already become obsolete? If you are using a solid-state drive or other high-end features, that’s okay. 

If not, the Windows operating system might not be getting enough time to start a few key programs and hence causes blue screen issues. To rule out this possibility, better turn off the Fast Startup feature and check if it solves the UNEXPECTED_STORE_EXCEPTION stop error or not. Here’s how to disable Fast Startup on Windows 10 PC –

• Press Win + S to open the Search UI.
• Type “CP” in the text field and click the top result i.e. Control Panel. 
• Using the drop-down menu next to View by, select large icons. 
• After this expands displaying all control panel items, select Power Options.

• Click “Choose what the power buttons do” on the upcoming screen.

• Next, hit “Change settings that are currently unavailable“.

• Now, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup...” box and hit Save Changes.

• That’s it, Restart Windows so as to incorporate the above changes.

2] Run SFC Scan

Since the 0x00000154 bug may arise due to damaged system files as well, check for any corrupted system files using the System File Checker utility program. This tool not only repairs the damaged system files but also fixes the missing ones. Here’s how to perform this task –

• Launch Command Prompt as an Administrator.
• Type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
• This tool immediately starts looking for any damaged files and repairs them (if found any).

• After this process reaches 100%, Restart your PC.

3] DISM Scan

Similar to that of the SFC scan, DISM is also a command-based utility program that can find and repair any corruption inside the Windows Image. Here’s how to use this tool –

• Use WinKey + X to start the Power menu and select Run.
• Type “cmd”, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together.
• Doing so will invoke the Command Prompt having administrative privileges.
• On the elevated console, copy/paste the following code and hit Enter –

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

• Upon completion, Restart Windows so that the changes made come into effect. 

4] Update Display Adapter 

The presence of an outdated display driver may also cause the BSOD Err 0x00000154 on the computer. If you haven’t updated your display adapter recently, do update them following these simple steps –

• Boot into the safe mode first and launch the device manager. For those who don’t know, press Win + X and hit device manager.
• Click “>” left of the Display adapter. Right-click on the available driver and choose “update driver” on the shortcut menu.

• On the succeeding screen, select “Search automatically for ...” and the system starts looking for any new version online. Make sure to remain connected to a good speed Network to expedite this process. 

Now, just follow the on-screen instructions to complete the remaining steps. 

• Finally, Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

5] Check the Hard disk for possible corruption 

If none of the above fixes resolve the BSOD Error 0x00000154, the problem may lie inside the hard disk itself. Windows 10 features a nice tool that can confirm whether there are any issues inside your hard disk or not. All you require is to follow these steps –

• Click Start Menu and type “cmd” in the text field.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator“.
• Next, copy/paste the below code and press Enter –

chkdsk /f /r

• You will get a message wherein the system asks you to schedule this task, type Y and hit Enter.
• Now, close all running windows and Restart the computer.
• When Windows 10 reloads, it enters the scanning hard disk mode.
• Once over, this reports any issues that it finds during the scan.

Note: If there indeed lies any HDD issue, replace the existing hard disk with a solid-state drive. 

In case the CHKDSK doesn’t report any anomaly on the hard disk, perform a clean installation of Windows 10. If you have created a restore point in the past, you may use that as well to revert back your system to its normal functioning.

That would be all. If you have any queries or suggestions related to this post, let us know in the comment section.