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FULL FIX: SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED in Windows 10/11

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Blue Screen of Deatherrors will crashWindows 10and give you an error message such as SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED before your computer restarts.

These types oferrorscan be caused by faulty hardware, and since theseerrorscan be rather problematic, today we’re going to show you how to fix SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error.

How can I fix SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD error?

Table of contents:

Fix – SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED Windows 10 error

1. UpdateWindows 10

UpdatingWindows 10is crucial if you want to keep your system error-free and stable.

Certain hardware or software might have issues withWindows 10, and that can causeBSoDerrors such as SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED to appear.

By usingWindows Updateyou’ll download the latest security improvements as well as many bug fixes.

These bug fixes are designed to fix incompatibility issues with certain hardware or software, therefore it’s crucial to download Windows updates in order to preventBSoDerrors from appearing.

2. Update your drivers

Drivers are a crucial part of every operating system since they allow Windows to recognize and utilize your hardware.

If a certain driver is corrupted or incompatible withWindows 10that can cause aBSoDerror such as SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED.

In order to fix theseerrors, it’s advised to update your drivers, and you can do that right from Device Manager by following these steps:

Some users say that it’s better to download the drivers manually since Device Manager won’t always find the latest drivers for your hardware.

To download drivers manually, you just have to visit your hardware manufacturer’s website, find your device, and download the latest drivers for it.

Be sure to download and update drivers for all major hardware components.

Update drivers automatically

Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.

Advanced softwares will help you update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions.

Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Run chkdsk scan

SometimesBSoDerrors like SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED can appear due to corrupted files on your hard drive.

And in order to fix this problem, you’ll need to check your hard drive by usingchkdskcommand. To do that, follow these steps:

It’s worth mentioning that you won’t be able to scan C drive right fromWindows 10, so be sure to restart your computer when the Command Prompt tells you to.

When your computer starts again, the chkdsk will automatically scan your C drive forerrors.

If you cannot accessWindows 10due to SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error, you can perform the chkdsk scan by following these steps:

4. Run theBSODTroubleshooter

If none of the previous solutions resolved the issues, let’s try withWindows 10‘s built-in troubleshooter.

This tool can address various system issues, including theBSODproblems.

Here’s how to runWindows 10‘s built-in troubleshooter:

5. Run the SFC scan

The next thing we’re going to try is running the SFC scan. The System File Checker is a command-line tool that scans all the system files for potential issues.

So, if a corrupt system file is the cause of the SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error, the SFC scan will likely resolve it.

Here’s how to run the SFC scan inWindows 10:

6. Run DISM

The third troubleshooting tool we’re going to use here is DISM.

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), as its name says, re-deploys the system image all over again, and resolves potential issues along the way.

So, it’s also possible it will resolve the SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error.

We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:

7. Replace smss.exe

According to users, corrupt smss.exe file can sometimes cause SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILEDBSoDerror, and in order to fix it, you need to replace that file. To do that, follow these steps:

8. Check your DVD for physical damage

Users reported SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error while trying to installWindows 10from aDVD, and according to them, the problem was damaged DVD disc.

If you’re installingWindows 10from a DVD, be sure that your DVD doesn’t have any scratches on it.

Instead of using DVD, it’s always better to use aUSB flash driveto installWindows 10. You can easily create bootable USB drive withWindows 10on it by usingMedia Creation Tool.

Bear in mind that you can get the sameerroreven if you’re using a USB flash drive to installWindows 10.

Apparently corrupt ISO image can create this problem, so be sure that you don’t interruptWindows 10ISO download.

9. Check your DVD drive

If you’re installingWindows 10from a DVD, be sure that your DVD drive is working correctly.

Users reported that faulty DVD drive can prevent installation process and give you SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILEDBSoD, so be sure that your DVD drive isn’t faulty.

In case yourDVD driveis broken, you can always installWindows 10from a USB flash drive.

10. Check for hardware problems

SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILEDBSoDerror can be caused by a faulty hardware, most notably RAM, so be sure that your RAM is working properly.

To check your RAM you can use tools such as MemTest86+.

In addition to RAM, almost any other hardware component can cause thiserror, so be sure to check other major components such as yourmotherboard, hard drive, graphic card, etc.

SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILEDerrorcan be caused by corrupted files or hardware problems, but you can easily fix thiserrorby using one of our solutions.

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FULL FIX: SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED in Windows 10/11#

How can I fix SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD error?#

Fix – SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED Windows 10 error#

1. UpdateWindows 10#

2. Update your drivers#

Outbyte Driver Updater#

3. Run chkdsk scan#

4. Run theBSODTroubleshooter#

5. Run the SFC scan#

6. Run DISM#

7. Replace smss.exe#

8. Check your DVD for physical damage#

9. Check your DVD drive#

10. Check for hardware problems#