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FIX: CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error in Windows 10/11

10 min. read

Updated onOctober 22, 2024

updated onOctober 22, 2024

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Key notes

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Blue Screen of Deatherrors can be caused by faulty hardware or incompatible software, and sometimes it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact problem.

Since these errors will crashWindows 10and restart your computer frequently, it’s important that you fix them, therefore today we’re going to show you how to fix CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error.

It is important that you follow the steps thoroughly, so make sure you do that since we will be using the Command Prompt and other methods.

How can I fix CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD error?

1. Use a system restoration tool

Manually finding out the root of the problem and trying to solve it is not the best and most reliable way to fix such problems. Moreover, it can be quite confusing for those who don’t have the necessary knowledge.

Therefore, we suggest installingspecialized softwarethat will scan your computer for you and download all the necessary files to repair it and bring it back to perfect condition.

2. Updateyour Windows

In order to avoidBSoDerrors it’s crucial that you download and install Windows updates.

Certain hardware or software might have issues withWindows 10, and since hardware and software issues can create these types of errors, it’s extremely important that you updateWindows 10as often as you can.

In addition to many bug fixes, these updates bring improved stability, security as well as new features.

3. Update your drivers

Another common cause forBSoDerrors can be your drivers. Drivers allowWindows 10to recognize and use certain hardware.

And if particular driver is outdated or not compatible withWindows 10, you will most likely get CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error.

In order to make sure that your system is stable and free fromBSoDerrors, be sure to update your drivers frequently.

To update a certain driver you just need to visit your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device.

Alternatively, you can download all the necessary drivers by using the Device Manager.

Some users claim that using Device Manager to update your drivers isn’t as effective as downloading them directly from the manufacturer’s website.

Device Manager sometimes won’t be able to download the latest drivers, so if you wish to have the latest drivers, you might have to search and download them manually.

Update drivers automatically

Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. And relying on the Device Manager is not a good idea, so we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.

Using an automatic driver updater will certainly save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will always keep your system up to date with the latest drivers.

⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Run theBSODTroubleshooter

Now, let’s turn to troubleshooting tools. The very firsttroubleshooterwe’re going to try is Windows 10’s built-inBSODtroubleshooter.

Hopefully, this tool can deal with the CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error, as well.

5. Run the SFC scan

Another troubleshooting tool we’re going to try here is the SFC scan. The system file checker is a command-line tool that basically scans through your system searching for potential issues.

If a corrupted system file is a problem, this tool will automatically repair it, and the problem will be resolved.

6. Run the DISM scan

And the thirdtroubleshooterwe’re going to try here is DISM. This tool re-deploys the system image, and resolves potential issues along the way.

So, it’s possible that running DISM will also resolve the CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error.

You can do this the standard way, as we showed you above, or using the procedure that utilizes the installation media below

With the Windows installation media

7. Check the hard drive

A broken hard drive is alarming. And the first warning messages come in the form ofBSODissues. So, go and check the current state of your hard drive.

To do that, you should run the chkdsk command. This command will scan your partitions, and apply solutions, if possible.

8. Disable caching on your motherboard

A Few users reported that disabling the caching on the motherboard has fixed the REFMON INITIALIZATION FAILED Blue Screen of Death error.

You can disable caching from BIOS, but for detailed instructions on how to do it, be sure to check your motherboard manual.

Since every motherboard is different, so is its interface. Make sure you find out your motherboard’s model and look for your instructions manual that came in its box. There, you’ll most likely find all the information you need.

9. Update your SSD firmware

If you’re using anSSD, be sure to update your firmware. Few users reported that they managed to fix the issue by updating their SSD firmware, so you can try that.

It’s worth mentioning that updating your firmware might delete all files from that SSD, so keep that in mind.

Updating SSD firmware is an advanced procedure, and if you don’t perform it carefully you can cause permanent damage to your SSD, therefore be extra careful while updating firmware.

10. Check for problematic software

Sometimes certain software can cause CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD error to appear.

Almost any installed software can cause this error, and if you installed any new software recently be sure to remove it.

A common cause for BSoD errors can be your antivirus software, therefore you might want to remove it in order to fix this error.

It’s worth mentioning that almost any antivirus program can cause this error, so be sure to remove any antivirus tool that you have installed.

If removing the antivirus fixed the problem, you can now download the latest version of the same tool, or you can switch to a different antivirus software.

If you’re looking for an alternative, we wrote aboutbest antivirus programs for Windows 10, so be sure to check them out.

If you cannot accessWindows 10at all due to CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error, you can try removing the problematic applications fromSafe Mode.

To access Safe Mode, do the following:

When you enter Safe Mode, try finding and removing the problematic application that is causing the BSoD error.

Bear in mind that if your computer is working without any problems in Safe Mode, the BSoD error is probably caused by a certain application or a driver, so you need to find it and remove it.

In order tocompletely remove certain antivirus, it’s advised to use a dedicated uninstaller. Many security companies offer removal tools for their software, so be sure to download one for your antivirus program.

Uninstaller software is meant to swiftly delete any undesirable program along with its associated files, resulting in a safe, fast, and light PC.

Logged applications, folders, registries, and any other leftovers will be checked and displayed at a glance, allowing you to swiftly wipe up any leftovers. For stubborn software, such as antivirus, you can also use force removal to start over fresh.

11. Check for problematic hardware

BSoD errors such as CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED can be caused by new hardware, and if you installed any new hardware recently be sure to remove it or replace it.

Sometimes certain hardware isn’t fully compatible with your PC and that can cause BSoD error.

In addition to new hardware, faulty hardware can also cause these types of errors. RAM is the common cause for these types of errors, so be sure to test your RAM with tools such as MemTest86+.

Remember to keep testing your RAM for couple of hours in order to perform a thorough scan.

If your RAM is working properly, check other hardware such as your motherboard, hard drive,graphics card, and processor.

CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error can be problematic, but hopefully, you managed to fix it by using one of our solutions. Either way, make sure you let us know how things went in the comment section below.

FIX: CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED error in Windows 10/11#

How can I fix CONFIG INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD error?#

1. Use a system restoration tool#

2. Updateyour Windows#

3. Update your drivers#

4. Run theBSODTroubleshooter#

5. Run the SFC scan#

6. Run the DISM scan#

7. Check the hard drive#

8. Disable caching on your motherboard#

9. Update your SSD firmware#

10. Check for problematic software#

11. Check for problematic hardware#