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Invalid Kernel Handle Error: Use These 9 Methods to Fix it

Faulty or missing system files can cause this blue screen error

8 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Blue Screen of Deatherrors, such as INVALID KERNEL HANDLE, can be a significant problem on Windows 10.

These errors will crash your PC, and restart it to prevent further damage. Therefore, you must know how to fix them.

What does Invalid Kernel Handle mean?

The Invalid Kernel Handle error denotes that the kernel code is attempting to reference or close a handle that is invalid to handle. There are a series of factors that can cause this error. Below are some of them:

How can I fix an INVALID_KERNEL_HANDLE BSoD error?

1. Update your drivers

Keeping your drivers up to date is crucial if you want to ensure that your system is stable and safe from errors.

If a particular driver is outdated or not compatible with Windows 10, your system won’t be able to recognize and use that hardware, which will cause an INVALID_KERNEL_HANDLEBSoD errorto appear.

If the Windows update cannot get the latest driver, you can visit the manufacturer’s website to download it.

Alternatively, you can employ automated driver updater software in Outbyte Driver Updater to do the job for you. This scans, updates, and repairs missing, outdated, and broken drivers with the original version from its enormous database.

This saves you from the stress of having to do it all yourself.

As the process is not straightforward, we recommend using an automated tool for the job.

⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Uninstall your antivirus software

To protect your PC from malicious users, you must install antivirus software. However, they can cause issues, like the Invalid Kernel Handle BSoD error.

Hence, you need to remove any third-pat antivirus and the Windows Defender instead.

3. Run the SFC scan

Sometimes, the Invalid Kernel Handle issue can be due to faulty or corrupt system files. The quickest way to repair them is to run the SFC scan, which will automatically diagnose and fix the issue.

If the SFC scan fails, you can proceed to the solution below.

4. Run DISM

If the SFC scan fails to fix the Invalid Kernel Handle issue, the DISM scan should do the trick. This is because the DISM runs a deeper scan and reaches more than SFC.

You can still run the SFC scan after the DISM to be sure the corrupt system file is fixed.

5. Check the hard drive

At times, the Invalid Kernel Handle issue might be due to faulty boot files. The quickest way to fix this is to repair these files running the commands above.

Some users are also suggesting that you need to run additionalCHKDSKcommands as well. This has fixed the Invalid Kernel Handle issue for many users. So, it would be best if you tried it too.

6. UpdateWindows 10

Keeping your drivers up to date is quite important, but you must also download Windows updates.

By downloading the latest updates viaWindows Update, you’ll install the latest security patches and new features. These patches also offer many bug fixes that can fix BSoD issues like the Invalid Kernel Handle error.

7. Perform a Clean boot/ enter Safe Mode

If the error is fixed, you can start enabling services and applications by following similar steps. Be sure to promote services and applications one by one until you find the one causing this problem.

When Safe Mode starts, test your PC. If the system is stable, the BSoD error is caused by specific software, so be sure to find the problematic software and disable it or uninstall it.

8. Perform aWindows 10reset

If the INVALID KERNEL HANDLE error is caused by software, you can fix that by performing Windows 10 reset. Note that resetting Windows 10 is similar to a clean install. Therefore, back up all critical files from your C partition.

You might needWindows 10 installation mediato complete this step, so be sure to create a bootable USB flash drive using the Media Creation Tool.

9. Check your hardware

The common cause for BSoD errors is RAM, so ensure your RAM works appropriately. You can use tools such asMemTest86+to perform a detailed test of your RAM.

Bear in mind that almost any other hardware component can cause a BSoD error, so make sure that you check all other major hardware components, such as your hard drive, motherboard, etc.

The Invalid Kernel Handle error can be a big problem, but hopefully, you managed to fix this error using one of our solutions.

If you are facing a similar issue, likeKernel Mode Exception not Handled M on Windows 10, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Leave a line in the comments section below if you have successfully used any other method to get over this issue.

Invalid Kernel Handle Error: Use These 9 Methods to Fix it#

What does Invalid Kernel Handle mean?#

How can I fix an INVALID_KERNEL_HANDLE BSoD error?#

1. Update your drivers#

2. Uninstall your antivirus software#

3. Run the SFC scan#

4. Run DISM#

5. Check the hard drive#

6. UpdateWindows 10#

7. Perform a Clean boot/ enter Safe Mode#

8. Perform aWindows 10reset#

9. Check your hardware#