ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED [BSoD Fix]

First, restart your computer in safe mode

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The ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED with error code 576 (0x240) and description {Unable to Create Paging File} The creation of the paging file %hs failed (%lx). The requested size was %ld., indicates that Windows is not able to create or configure the paging file, which is essential for virtual memory management.

The error can occur for various reasons, such as disk space issues, file system problems, or incorrect permissions.

How can I fix the ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED?

1. Recover the disk space

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.cleanmgr ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  2. Type cleanmgr and click OK to open the Disk Cleanup window.
  3. On the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection window, select a drive under Drives and click OK.DISK C ERROR_NO_PAGEFILE
  4. Click the Clean up system files button.Clean up system files ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  5. You will then see the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection window again. Under Drives, select the same drive and click OK.
  6. Select all the items listed under the Files to delete field and click OK.Click OK - ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  7. Click Delete Files.Delete Files

If the drive is still low on storage, go through each folder and move or delete unnecessary files, such as media or unused software installers, from one drive to another.

However, if you are dealing with a system drive, don’t move or delete the folders present in C:\Windows or C:\Program Files. If you mistakenly migrate an important app or system folder to another drive, your system may not function properly. You should only move files or subfolders like documents and downloads from your user account folder, i.e., (C:\Users\[Your Username]). 

2. Verify the file permissions

  1. Right-click the target drive and choose Properties from the context menu.
  2. In the Properties window, switch to the Security tab.
  3. Look for the username or group you want to permit and select it. If the user is not listed, click the Edit button.Edit button ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  4. Click Add.Click Add
  5. On the Select Users or Groups window, click Advanced.Advanced ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  6. Click the Find Now button, then from the search results, choose the user name and click OK.Find now
  7. Click OK.Click OK ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  8. Select the user account and make sure you have selected Full Control. Permissions ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  9. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Verifying the file permissions can also help you fix the You’ll need administrator permission to delete this folder error; check out this guide to learn more.

3. Ensure the paging file size is managed automatically

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.System Properties ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  2. Type sysdm.cpl and click OK to open the System Properties window.
  3. Go to the Advanced tab, go to the Performance section, and click the Settings button.Settings -ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  4. In the Performance Options window, switch to the Advanced tab.
  5. Look for the Virtual Memory section and click the Change button.change virtual memory
  6. On the following page, select each drive one by one and make sure the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option is selected for all drives.automatically manage paging file
  7. Click OK, then restart your computer to apply the settings and check if ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED persists.

4. Run the System File Checker tool

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search box, and click Run as administrator from the list of options to launch Command Prompt with administrative privileges.CMD elevated ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  2. Copy & paste the following command to restore or repair damaged system files and hit Enter: sfc /scannowSFCSCANNOW CMD
  3. Wait for the scan to complete, then reboot your PC to let the changes take effect.

5. Run the CHKDSK scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search box, and click Run as administrator from the list of options to open Command Prompt with admin rights.CMD elevated
  2. Type the following command to run the chkdsk utility on the affected drive to scan and repair any file system issues. Don’t forget to replace C: with the affected drive letter, then press Enter: chkdsk C: /fCHKDSK 1  ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  3. If the drive is already in use, you will be prompted to schedule a scan after the restart; type Y and hit Enter.
  4. Now save your work and reboot your PC to initiate the scan.

This scan will help resolve the logical issues on the disk; furthermore, running the CHKDSK scan can also help you fix other BSoD errors like CRITICAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILURE; read this guide to learn more.

6. Increase the virtual memory

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.System Properties ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  2. Type sysdm.cpl and click OK to open the System Properties window.
  3. Switch to the Advanced tab, go to the Performance section, and click Settings.Settings - ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  4. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.
  5. Locate the Virtual Memory section and click Change.change virtual memory
  6. On the following page, remove the checkmark from the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option.
  7. Choose C or the system drive letter you want to use for the paging file, and select the Custom size optionSet - ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  8. Set the Initial size equal to the installed RAM size and the Maximum size 1.5x to 3 times more than the physical RAM.
  9. Click Set.
  10. Click OK, then restart your PC to apply the settings and check if ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED persists.

7. Reboot your PC in safe mode

Note icon NOTE
If the issue is related to third-party software or drivers, you can boot in Safe mode.
  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.Msconfig - ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  2. Type msconfig and click OK to open the System Configuration window.
  3. Go to the Boot tab, under Boot options, select Safe boot and Network.Safe boot
  4. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
  5. Click Restart.Restart - ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED
  6. Now follow the steps mentioned in Method 5 to adjust the paging file settings.

If you’ve tried all the above steps and the issue persists, consider running diagnostics on your hard drive using tools like CrystalDiskInfo.

In conclusion, to fix the ERROR_PAGEFILE_CREATE_FAILED, you can recover the disk space, verify the file permissions, set the paging file manually, increase the VM, reboot your PC in safe mode, or run the SFC tool.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this BSoD error, feel free to mention them in the comments section below.

More about the topics: BSoD error codes, BSoD errors, Windows 11

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