Kernel Security Check Failure: How we fixed this error

by Ivan Jenic

Troubleshooting Expert

April 30, 2020

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10 Quick Solutions to Fix Kernel Security Check Failure

1. Enable legacy advanced boot menu
2. Use System File Checker and Memory Diagnostic
3. Check the memory slot
4. Check your hard drive
5. Update your PC
6. Scan your PC
7. Check your disk for errors
8. Kernel Security Check Failure after overclock
9. Run System Restore
10. Run Safe Mode

If you are reading this article, it means that you have gotten the Kernel Security Check Failure Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error.

Many other users who upgraded their operating system toWindows 10 have experienced this issue. Indeed, Kernel Security Check Failure on Windows 10 install occurs more frequently than you might think.

Fortunately for you, by reading the lines below you will get a clue as to why you have this issue and what you need to do to fix this Windows Kernel BSOD onWindows 10.

The Kernel Security Check Failure PC error can occur for various reasons like memory issues, virus infections, and more.

However, the most common reason is that the drivers you were using for the previous Windows version are not compatible with the new Windows version.

As a result, the OS gives you the Kernel Security Check Failure error message followed by the 0x000000139 error code.

In this article, we’ll explain why this issue occurs and how you can fix it.

There are two possibilities to this issue, either you can get into your Windows 10 PC and from time to time you get the “Kernel Security Check failure” Blue Screen of Death, or you simply cannot log in to your operating system and your device gives you this error message every time you power it up.

If you cannot log in at all into Windows 10 then follow the steps below:

We’ve written extensively about Kernel security issues before. Bookmark these guides in case you need them later.

Steps to fix Kernel Security Check errors

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1. Enable legacy advanced boot menu

1. Restart your computer and insert a Windows 10 bootable media into the optical media drive. For more information on how to create a Windows 10 bootable media, check out this article.
2. On the displayed Windows Setup box, click Next
3. On the next page, click on Repair your computer
4. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot
5. Click on Advanced options
6. Now select Command Prompt
7. On the newly opened Command Prompt window, type C: and hit Enter.
8. On C: prompt, type the following command and press Enter to enable legacy advanced boot menu:
   • BCDEDIT /SET {DEFAULT} BOOTMENUPOLICY LEGACY
9. Once the command executes successfully, type EXIT to close the Command Prompt window.
10. Go back to the ‘Choose an option’ screen, click Continue and start your computer normally.

If this method didn’t fix your blue screen Kernel Security Check Failure issue, use the solution below.

2. Use System File Checker and Memory Diagnostic

1. If Windows 10 fails to start correctly, go to Settings , select Advanced Startup to open the ‘See advanced repair options’ menu
2. In the new window, left click or tap on Troubleshoot
3. Go to Advanced Options and click or tap on Startup Settings.
4. Left-click the Restart button located on the lower right side of the screen.
5. Your operating system should boot with the minimum system requirements.
6. When your PC has booted, move the mouse over to the upper right side of the window.
7. Left-click the Search feature located on the menu.
8. In the search box, type cmd.
9. Launch Command Prompt as an Administrator.
10. Type the following command: sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
11. Wait until the scanning process completes. Type Exit to close the Command Prompt window and hit Enter.
12. Move the mouse cursor again over to the upper right side of the screen.
13. Go to the Search feature.
14. In the search box, type memory, and select Windows Memory Diagnostic
15. Run as administrator and select Restart now and check for problems
16. After reboot, the OS will automatically check your RAM and display the possible reasons as to why you get the Blue Screen of Death error.
17. Reboot your PC normally.
18. Check to see if the Kernel Security Check Failure BSOD error persists.

Learn everything about System File Checker and your nightmare with Windows errors will end!

3. Check the memory slot

Don’t forget to check the memoryslot to make sure it’s properly placed into the socket and functioning correctly.

It is always a safe bet to try and replace the memory slot or change the slot in which it is plugged into the motherboard. Reboot your PC to see if the stop code Kernel Security Check Failure persists.

4. Check your hard drive

Make sure that your hard drive functions correctly. More specifically, make sure that it is plugged in correctly into your device. If you have a spare hard drive, try changing it to see if it starts correctly.

Now, if your operating system starts and only gives you this Windows Kernel error occasionally, continue with the following steps below.

FAQ: Learn more about the Kernel Security Check Failure

• Is Kernel Security Check Failure a virus?

Kernel Security Check Failure is not a virus in itself, it is an error message that Windows 10 displays on the screen when certain data files are corrupted. The root cause of data corruption may indeed be malware and virus infections, incompatible settings, memory issues, incorrect Registry changes, and more.

• What is a kernel failure?

Kernel failure errors indicate that a certain system file failed the compatibility or integrity check. The quickest way to fix kernerl errors is to update your OS and install the latest drivers.

• What are some of the most common Kernel Security Check Failure errors on Windows 10?

The annoying Kernel Security Check Failure error often occurs in the following situations:

Kernel Security Check Failure after sleep – this error may occur after waking your PC from sleep.

Kernel Security Check Failure after RAM upgrade – users report that this error message sometimes occurs after they insert a new RAM card.

Kernel Security Check Failure when playing games – if there is one thing that gamers hate, that is getting interrupted when playing their favorite games. If you’re a gamer, you probably already encountered this error quite a few times.

Kernel Security Check Failure when using particular apps and programs – it seems that particular apps and programs trigger the kernel security error more frequently than others.

Editor’s Note: This article continues on the next page with more solutions to fix Kernel Security Check Failure BSOD errors. If you want to read more about Blue Screen of Death errors, check out our collection of guides.