Reader-supported: we earn a commission on some links, at no extra cost to you. How this works
Windows ErrorsGuide

What Does Page Fault in Nonpaged Area Mean?

Page fault in nonpaged area means Windows could not find data that should be in memory, usually faulty RAM, a bad driver, or disk errors. Here is how to fix it.

5 min read

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA is a Windows stop code that appears when the system looks for data that should always be present in memory (the nonpaged area) but cannot find it. Windows stops because a needed piece of memory is missing or corrupt. The most common causes are faulty RAM, a bad or outdated driver, and disk or system file corruption, occasionally a conflict from antivirus or other low-level software.

Why this happens

The nonpaged area holds data that must stay in RAM and never be moved to disk. When Windows requests something from there and it is not valid, this error triggers. Common causes include:

  • Faulty or failing RAM, or a loose memory stick.
  • A buggy, outdated, or incompatible driver.
  • Corrupt system files or a corrupt paging file.
  • Disk errors or a failing drive.
  • Antivirus or other low-level software conflicting with Windows.
  • An unstable overclock affecting memory.

Is this normal?

No. It is a crash, not normal behavior. A single event can be a fluke, but repeated PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA crashes, especially with a matching pattern, point to a real hardware or driver problem that needs fixing.

Does it cause any problems?

Yes. Each crash forces a restart and can lose unsaved work. Because faulty RAM or a failing drive is a common cause, repeated crashes can also risk data corruption, so it is worth diagnosing quickly.

How to fix or check it

  1. Test memory first: run Windows Memory Diagnostic (search mdsched), or use MemTest86 for several passes, since bad RAM is a leading cause.
  2. If you have more than one RAM stick, reseat them and test one at a time to find a faulty module.
  3. Update or roll back drivers, especially any changed just before the crashes; graphics, storage, and network are common culprits.
  4. Repair system files: open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
  5. Check the disk with chkdsk /f /r and confirm drive health with the maker's tool.
  6. Temporarily disable or remove recently installed antivirus or low-level software to test for a conflict.
  7. Remove any overclock and set RAM to default settings in BIOS.
  8. Read the crash dump with a tool such as BlueScreenView to see which driver file, if any, was involved.

Frequently asked questions

Is page fault in nonpaged area a RAM problem?

Faulty RAM is one of the most common causes, so testing memory is the first step. Drivers and disk corruption can cause the same error, so check those too if RAM tests clean.

Can a driver cause this error?

Yes. A bad driver can reference invalid memory and trigger it. Update or roll back recent drivers, and use a crash dump viewer to identify the specific driver file at fault.

Will the error damage my files?

The crash itself just restarts the PC, but the underlying cause, such as failing RAM or a bad drive, can corrupt data over time. Back up your files while you diagnose it.

More in this topic

More in Windows Errors

See the full guide →
★
Windows Errors
Why Does My Mouse Lag on Windows 11?

Mouse lag on Windows 11 is usually from a bad driver, wireless interference, power saving, or a pointer setting. Here is how to check and fix it.
★
Windows Errors
Why Is Svchost Using So Much Memory?

Svchost using lots of memory is usually Windows Update, SysMain, or a hosted service doing work, and sometimes a leak or malware. Here is how to check and fix it.
★
Windows Errors
What Does Driver Power State Failure Mean?

Driver power state failure means a driver mishandled a sleep or wake transition, usually graphics, network, or chipset drivers. Here is how to fix it.