UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL BSOD: 7 Ways to Fix it

Of the countless BSOD errors, UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL with a value (bug check) of 0x00000033 is truly a rare occurrence. Over the last few years, there have been only a few reported encounters, and most were easily fixable!

The UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL error often appears due to outdated or buggy drivers, corrupt system files, issues with the RAM or disk, malfunctioning peripherals, and malware infection.

To start with, install all pending Windows updates, fix overheating issues, and disconnect any new non-critical peripherals from the PC.

How do I fix the UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL BSOD?

1. Repair the corrupt system files

1. Press Windows + S to pen Search, type Command Prompt in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following DISM commands one at a time and hit Enter after each: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Now, run this command for the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
5. Finally, reboot the PC for the changes to come into effect and check for improvements.

The easiest fix for the UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL BSOD is to repair the corrupt system files by running the DISM commands and SFC (System File Checker) scan. The scans replace all problematic protected system files with the cached copy stored on the PC.

2. Update the installed drivers

1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the different entries individually, right-click on each of the devices underneath, and choose Update driver. I am updating the graphics driver.
3. Click on Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to install the best locally available version.
4. Similarly, update the other drivers on the PC.

While letting Windows update the drivers, you will often find that the best version is already installed. However, I recommend you check the manufacturer’s website, look for any updates, and manually install the latest driver.

An easy option is to use a top-rated driver updater utility, which automatically searches all available sources for the best drivers and installs them.

3. Check for disk and RAM issues

3.1. Identifying and fixing disk issues

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following command to run Check Disk and hit Enter: chkdsk /r
4. If asked to schedule the scan for the next reboot, press Y, hit Enter, and then restart the PC.

After running the Check Disk utility, Windows will tell you whether any problems were found and repaired. Also, you can view the generated Check Disk logs for a more comprehensive overview.

3.2. Identifying RAM issues

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the text field, and click on the relevant result.
2. Save any ongoing work, and then click on Restart now and check for problems.

If Windows Memory Diagnostic can’t find any problems triggering UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL, I recommend you go with MemTest86 to run a more comprehensive set of tests on the RAM and identify even the smallest of the problems.

The tool takes 4-10 hours, so it’s best that you let it run overnight!

4. Scan the PC for malware

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Security, and click on the relevant result.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection.
3. Click on Scan options.
4. Now, choose Full scan, and then click on Scan now.
5. Wait for the scan to complete.

If Windows Security can’t detect malware infection, you should always try an effective third-party antivirus solution. These are often more effective at the job!

5. Uninstall recently added apps

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Select any recently added app(s) from the list, and click on Uninstall.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
4. Restart the computer and check for improvements. If the problem persists, uninstall other recent apps.

6. Perform a system restore

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Create a restore point, and click on the relevant result.
2. Click on System Restore.
3. Select the Choose a different restore point option, and click on Next.
4. Pick the oldest restore point from the list, and click on Next.
5. Verify the details and click on Finish.
6. Wait for the restore to complete. It usually takes 15-45 minutes.

7. Perform an in-place upgrade

NOTE

The steps listed below are for Windows 11. If you are currently using the previous iteration, check our dedicated guide on performing a repair upgrade in Windows 10.

1. Go to Microsoft’s official website, select the OS edition and product language, and then download the Windows 11 ISO.
2. Right-click on the ISO file, select Mount, and click Open in the confirmation prompt.
3. Run the setup.exe file.
4. Click on Next to proceed.
5. Click Accept to agree to Microsoft’s license terms.
6. Verify that the setup reads, Keep personal files and apps, and click on Install.
7. Wait for the repair upgrade to complete. It will take 1-3 hours.

An in-place upgrade is similar to reinstalling Windows, but you don’t lose the personal files and apps. In case the previous solutions didn’t work, this should. And if an in-place upgrade fails, you can always reset Windows to factory defaults.

In most cases of the UNEXPECTED_INITIALIZATION_CALL blue screen error, repairing the corrupt system files and installing the latest drivers fixes things in no time. Only rarely do you have to go with the complex solutions!

Before you leave, discover experts tip to make your Windows PC faster than ever.

For any queries or to share which fix worked for you, drop a comment below!