How to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap Windows 11 error

Matthew Adams
by Matthew Adams
Windows & Software Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it. He is passionate about... Read more
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  • The Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap Windows 11 error can be due to incompatible hardware, outmoded device drivers, CPU overclocking, or corrupted system files.
  • You might be able to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error by undoing recent system changes.
  • Even more, try to replace RAM modules in order to fix this BSOD issue for good.
  • Windows 11’s file and disk-scanning tools might also come in handy for resolving the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error.
How to fix Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap error in Windows 11
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Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap is a BSOD error that can arise in Windows 11. This is an issue that has a 0x00000007F code.

When the error shows up, a black screen that includes the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error message and its code appears, which forces Windows to restart.

Some users have said that this error occurs somewhat randomly on their PCs after upgrading to Windows 11. However, this issue can arise when they utilize certain hardware devices or software. The Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap can also occur when users try to sign in to Windows.

The same thing happened to Windows 10 users who experienced this annoying Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error.

Are you familiar with it as well? If so, check out the potential resolutions for that BSOD error below but not before understanding the most common causes.

How do Black Screen of Death errors affect your system?

A Black Screen of Death error is exactly the same thing as a Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death issue. However, Microsoft changed the BSOD background color in Windows 11 to black.

Thus, BSODs are now called Black Screen of Deaths in the new desktop platforms. Blue (Black) Screen of Death errors are system crashes that arise on Windows PCs.

They are also known as stop errors because they always restart the OS. Such errors have numerous software and hardware-related causes.

What’s causing the Unexpected_Kernal_Mode_Trap error?

It’s a bit technical, but the Unexpected_Kernal_Mode_Trap error’s bug check highlights that the Windows OS kernel failed to capture a trap generated by a PC’s CPU. That means your computer might have faulty or mismatched hardware.

For example, your PC could have faulty RAM (system memory). Or some of the included drives and disk controllers might be incompatible with Windows 11.

This error can also arise because of outdated or incompatible device drivers on your PC. This often happens after upgrading to Windows 11.

Aside from that, corrupted system files, overclocked CPUs, and malware are other potential causes for the Unexpected_Kernal_Mode_Trap error. Therefore, as expected, there are quite a few common causes of Blue Screen of Death errors.

How can I fix the Unexpected_Kernal_Mode_Trap error?

1. Check recently installed hardware device compatibility

Did the Unexpected_Kernal_Mode_Trap error arise on your desktop or laptop shortly after you installed (added) new hardware to it? If so, it’s feasible that the newly installed hardware has generated the issue.

Therefore, it’s recommended that users who need to fix the Unexpected_Kernal_Mode_Trap error disconnect and uninstall recently installed devices from their PCs.

Then restart your computer to see if the issue persists. If not, the new hardware might not have been incompatible with your computer’s software.

2. Run a System File Checker scan

  1. First, press the Windows key + S simultaneously to bring up a search box.
  2. Enter cmd within the search box to locate the Command Prompt.
  3. Click Run as administrator for the Command Prompt search result.
    Run as administrator option unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Next, input this command and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  5. When the Deployment Image Servicing scan is complete, type in this command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
    The sfc command unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  6. Now wait for the System File Checker scan to reach the 100 percent complete mark.

3. Check for malware

  1. Double-click the Windows Security system tray icon.
    The Windows Defender icon unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  2. Click the Virus & threat protection tab on the left Windows Security.
  3. Select the Scan options navigation link.
    Scan options unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Then click the Full scan radio button.
    Full scan radio button unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  5. Click the Scan now button.
Note icon
NOTE
You can also purge malware with third-party malware scanner software. Malwarebytes Premium is one of the best-known and most efficient third-party anti-malware tools for Windows platforms.

4. Stop overclocking your PC

Have you overclocked your PC’s processor with third-party overclocking software? If so, that could be the reason you need to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error on Windows 11.

This potential resolution, unsurprisingly enough, is to reverse all the overclocking you’ve applied on your computer. Restore your PC’s processor to its default clock speed. To do so, look for a restore system default option within your overclocking software.

5. Run a CHKDSK scan

  1. Open the Command Prompt as outlined within the first few steps of resolution two.
  2. Type in this command: chkdsk c: /f
  3. Press the Enter key.
    Chkdsk scan unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Then press the Y key to confirm.
  5. Click the Start taskbar button to bring up the menu.
  6. Select the Power option, and then click Restart.

6. Update device drivers

  1. Right-click the Start menu icon and select Device Manager to open that window.
    Device Manager shortcut unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  2. Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks beside them.
  3. If there’s a device with a yellow exclamation mark, right-click it, and select the Update driver option.
    Update driver option unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Then select the Search automatically for updated drivers option within the Update drivers tool.
  5. If you can’t find a device with a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, try updating your PC’s graphical, chipset, network, and input device drivers.

The best way to generally update device drivers is to utilize driver updater software. A driver updater tool will scan your PC and list all the devices for which you need to update drivers.

Then you can try updating them with the driver updater utility, manually, or via Device Manager. Even if the tools from our list are dedicated to Windows 10, most of them are compatible with the new OS as well.

7. Run a Windows Memory Diagnostic check

  1. To find the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, click the magnifying glass button for the search tool.
    Magnifying glass button unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  2. Enter Windows Memory Diagnostic in the search box.
  3. Then select the Restart now and check for problems option.
    Restart now option unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Thereafter, wait for the diagnostic check to finish after the restart.
  5. If you don’t see a Windows Memory Diagnostic notification display the results, right-click the Start button to select Event Viewer.
  6. Next, click Windows Logs, then System within the Event Viewer window.
    Event Viewer window unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  7. Select the Find option.
    Find option unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  8. Input MemoryDiagnostic within the search box, and click the Find Next button.
  9. Then you can view a General tab for MemoryDiagnostic results.
Note icon
NOTE
If Memory Diagnostics shows there’s bad RAM, replace your PC’s ailing RAM module with a new one.

8. Restore Windows 11 to an earlier date

  1. Press the Windows key + X at the same time, and select the Run option on the menu.
  2. Enter this text in Run’s window and click OK: rstrui
  3. If you can select a Choose a different restore option, select that radio button and click Next.
    Choose a different restore point radio button unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Select the Show more restore points checkbox if you can.
  5. Then choose a restore point date that will roll back Windows 11 to a time you didn’t need to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. Alternatively, select the oldest restore point you can.
    The System Restore tool
  6. Click Next to proceed.
  7. Press the Finish option to restore Windows 11 to the date selected.

You might need to reinstall some software after rolling back Windows 11. You can check what software a selected restore removes by clicking Scan for affected programs in System Restore.

9. Reset Windows 11

Note icon
NOTE
Resetting Windows 11 restores the OS to its factory settings, which also means you’ll have to reinstall third-party software that didn’t come preinstalled on your PC. We recommended resetting Windows 11 as a last resort solution only.

  1. Press the Start button.
  2. Select the pinned Settings app on the Start menu.
  3. Click Recovery in Settings.
    Recovery navigation option unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  4. Press the Reset PC button to bring up that tool.
    Reset PC button
  5. Then choose the Keep My files option on the Reset this PC window.
    Keep my files option unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  6. Select Local reinstall or Cloud download option (whichever you prefer).
  7. Click the Next and Reset buttons.

How can I enter Safe Mode for troubleshooting?

If you can’t log in to Windows because of the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error, try entering the Windows Recovery Environment. To do so, press and hold the Power button for 5-10 seconds during startup (preferably at a logo) to force shutdown. Do that three times to enter recovery mode.

When you’ve entered the Windows Recovery Environment, you can select to enter Safe mode. This is a diagnostic (troubleshooting) mode for Windows that starts the OS in a basic state with minimal drivers and files. You can enter that mode via WinRE as follows:

  1. First, select the Advanced Options button on the Startup Repair screen.
  2. Select Troubleshoot on the Choose an option menu.
    Choose an option menu
  3. Then choose Advanced options.
  4. Select the Startup Settings button.
    Advanced options menu unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  5. Press the Restart button to reboot.
    Restart button unexpected_kernel_mode_trap windows 11
  6. After restarting, press the F5 keyboard key to choose the Enable Safe Mode with Networking option.
  7. Thereafter, you can apply the above resolutions as outlined above in Safe Mode.

These are some of the most probable fixes for the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. That doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed, but there’s a pretty good chance they’ll resolve the issue.

Microsoft also has a Blue Screen of Death troubleshooter, which might help some users fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. You can check out that troubleshooter by opening its Troubleshoot blue screen errors webpage.

Also, don’t hesitate to check out this guide on how to solve the startup error 0x0000000F. The tips here mentioned for Windows 10 can be applied by Windows 11 users too.

If the resolutions in this guide don’t fix your computer’s Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error, your PC could have a deeper hardware issue, such as a failing power supply or faulty motherboard component. In which case, consider returning it to its manufacturer’s repair service.

If you found this guide helpful, we appreciate your feedback. How did you solve the error? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments area below.

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