5 Ways to Fix 0x00000139 Kernel_security_check_failure

0x00000139 Kernel_security_check_failure is a blue screen error that can appear under different circumstances. You may be trying to upgrade to a newer Windows version or update an application.

Since various issues can cause this problem, it’s important to identify the cause before attempting to fix it. If you’re unsure what’s causing this problem, use this guide to help determine what might be causing it so that you can act accordingly.

What is blue screen bug check code 0x00000139?

The blue screen bug check code 0x00000139 is a hardware-related error that can occur on all versions of Microsoft Windows. If you receive this message, your computer may be unstable and crash again shortly after rebooting. 

The error code is caused by a hardware malfunction that causes the operating system to crash and display a blue screen error message.

Other causes include:

• Overheated hardware or software failure – A PC component may fail due to excessive heat and cause blue screens, system crashes, and other issues.
• Memory issues – If your PC is having issues with allocating memory, you may experience frequent crashes due to instability.
• Driver issues – A lot of the time, most BSoD errors are caused by either corrupt, malfunctioned, or incompatible drivers.
• Malware –  A virus or other malware may have corrupted the operating system files or registry data required for Windows to run properly.

How do I fix 0x00000139?

Try the following before attempting any advanced steps:

• Check your hard drive for disk errors using the CHKDSK command. 
• Run a memory test on your PC to check if there are any issues with your RAM.

1. Run the DISM and SFC scans 

1. Click on the Search icon on your taskbar, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow
3. Restart your PC.

Sometimes running the DISM and SFC scans may not repair all of your computer’s stability issues, and for that, we strongly suggest you try a specialized program that will help you detect all malfunctioning operating system files and repair them by finding healthy replacements from its database.

2. Scan for malware 

1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click Open.
2. Select Virus & threat protection.
3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.
5. Click on Full scan to perform a deep scan of your PC.
6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

3. Reinstall your GPU drivers

1. Click on the Start Menu icon, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
2. Navigate to your Graphic driver, right-click, and select Uninstall device.
3. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking Uninstall in the next dialog box.
4. Restart your PC, and the driver will automatically reinstall.

For users who found their graphics card to be the culprit, the NvLddmkm display driver was found to be at the center stage of all this chaos. This is a NVIDIA driver that may have stopped responding. 

If so, you first need to address this issue by either updating your NVIDIA driver from the manufacturer’s site or roll back to a previous driver version.

4. Check for Windows updates

1. Click on the Start Menu icon and click on Settings.
2. Hit Windows Update on the left pane, then select Check for updates.
3. If available, download and install.

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5. Perform a clean boot 

1. Hit the Windows key, type msconfig, and open System Configuration.
2. Switch to the Services tab and select Hide all Microsoft services.
3. Click on the Disable all button, then hit the Apply button to save the changes.
4. Go back and click on the Startup tab, select Open Task Manager then click OK.
5. In the Startup tab of the Task Manager, Disable all the Enabled startup items.
6. Close Task Manager and restart your PC.

Is Kernel Security Check Failure serious?

Kernel Security Check Failure occurs when your computer’s kernel, the core of all Windows operating systems, fails to perform certain tests that ensure its integrity. 

It manages all activities related to hardware and software resources for applications and drivers. When there’s a problem with its security, it will disable itself from allowing any other process to access resources until you fix it.

The most common symptom of this problem is the blue screen of death (BSOD). It could be a hardware problem or a software issue. Both components are critical in the smooth running of your OS, so you need to address this issue as soon as possible.

We have also devised a guide on how to steer clear of Kernel Security Check Failure errors. If you cannot avoid such errors, knowing how to deal with them is important. To that effect, we have compiled a kernel debugging article to help you find your way.

Hopefully, these steps have been instrumental in helping you fix the Kernel Security Check Failure issue.

For any additional thoughts, feel free to leave a comment down below.