KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error on Windows 10 [FIX]

Getting an error is always very annoying as it limits you from doing something. It’s even more annoying if it stops all your progress. In this article, we will fix one of these irritating BSOD errors.

Blue Screen with sad face and lettering of “KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE” means that there is some kind of problem with your operating system. This error also is known with its bug code 0x00000139 and can occur in the Windows Startup as well as on a running Windows machine or also when working with specific software. We have made this article to help you fix this problem and get rid of BSOD.

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Why does this error occur?

There are numerous of reasons why this error can occur on your computer. Here are the most common of them:

As there are so many reasons that can cause the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error, there isn’t one single solution that will work for all of you. Therefore, you will have to do multiple solutions one by one until this issue is solved. If there is some kind of lettering right next to error’s name with extension “.sys”, you can skip to the solution where we show how to update drivers as this is 100% associated with them.

What’s kernel?

Before we start with any solutions, you should get an idea what kernel is and what does it do. So the kernel is an important part of your Windows which controls many various tasks on your computer. To make things clear, a kernel is one of the most important parts of an operating system, it ensures that devices like CPU, GPU, memory drivers and so on work correctly. You should also know that there are two types of kernels – one is monolithic kernel and the other one a microkernel kernel. The monolithic kernel controls drivers, but microkernel kernel does some basic functionalities. To make things more understandable, look at the image below. The kernel is like a junction between applications and hardware devices.

To be clear, this error can show up if you have problems with hardware or software.

If the error occurs during while Windows is booting

There is a possibility that you get this error while you are launching your Windows. You might be able to launch it eventually after some restarts and might also run into an infinite loop of restarts never being able to launch your Windows successfully. If this is not the case, and you can launch your Windows just fine, skip to our first solution. However, if this is what’s going on, you have two options:

1. Launching Windows in Safe Mode
2. Fixing this issue using a Startup Repair

The first and easiest thing to try is launching your Windows in Safe Mode. This won’t take longer than 2 minutes and is a fast way how to fully launch your Windows once again. To do this all you will have to do is press certain keys (depends on your Windows version) over and over again until you see Startup Settings or Advanced Boot Options screen.

Here are the keys you will have to press during startup:

• If you are using Windows 7 or older version, you will have to press F8 key over and over again until Advanced Boot Options or Startup Settings appear.s
• If you are using Windows 10 or Windows 8, press Shift + F8 key until a Startup Settings screen shows up.

Once you manage to launch either of these screens, just choose Enable Safe Mode or Safe Mode option and that’s it. This works because in safe mode Windows uses only its default drivers without taking into account any third-party devices or software including their drivers.

If things didn’t go as they should or launching Windows in Safe mode doesn’t work for some kind of reason, there is another option – Startup Repair. It’s not a too complicated task, it includes few steps. However, performing them might not only enable your Windows to launch, but also resolve this issue.

If the Operating System’s Boot Manager misfunctions, Startup Repair is the thing to do. To do a Startup repair, you will need to find your CD or DVD or USB flash drive with installation files –  a device from which you can boot Windows. If you don’t have them, you just download ISO files from Microsoft’s website.

Performing Startup Repair

First, you will have to turn on your computer and press dedicated keys to open BIOS (keys can vary depending on your motherboard’s manufacturer). Our main task is to boot Windows from our bootable external storage device, to do so you can make changes in BIOS Boot Menu or change Boot Sequence Priority. Once done, follow instructions below:

1. If you will manage to boot Windows, you will see the following screen. Don’t change anything just hit Next.
   
2. Now you can do things – press Install now button and reinstall your computer. Or press Repair your computer which is located at the bottom left corner of the screen. Press Repair your computer.
   
3. Now you will see three options. Click on Troubleshoot.
   
4. You will again be prompted with three options. this time choose Advanced options.
   
5. Now click “Startup Repair” followed by Automatic repair.
   
6. Follow instructions to complete repair.

That’s it! Now you should launch your Windows normally, even more – maybe this error is resolved, give your computer a test. If you still can’t launch your Windows, you’re only left with reinstalling your Windows.

If the error occurs while working with certain software

For half of the users, this error occurred while working with specific software. For example while playing a specific game or using heavy software like Photoshop or Autocad. All these applications use specific drivers of your system, for example, video card drivers. If they are incompatible with that particular software, this error might occur.

You can do two things. The first one is reinstalling that particular software because it can also get faulty installation or be corrupted. This is one of the easiest solutions.

If you have tried reinstalling software, but it didn’t make any difference, you’re left with reinstalling drivers. This is quite simple, we have explained how to do this in our first solution.

Solutions for KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE error

As we already mentioned, it’s hard to tell the exact reason why this error occurs, therefore, you will have to perform multiple solutions until you will fix this error.

1. Solution – Updating and reinstalling drivers

One of the main common causes for all BSOD errors is corrupt or outdated drivers. If there is driver’s name in brackets right next to error’s name with extension “.sys”, you can be 100% sure that this is a driver related issue. Fortunately, this can be easily fixed by just updating drivers. How to it, see below.

Updating Windows drivers:

1. Open “Windows Update settings” by searching for it in Windows search box.
   
2. Now check for updates and wait until the process is completed. If any missing updates are found, update your Windows.
   

 

Hardware related drivers
This issue can also be caused by hardware drivers, for example, video card driver. To update them, you can download drivers directly from device’s manufacturer’s website or to it through Device Manager as shown below.

1. Open Device Manager by searching for it in Windows search box.
   
2. Now find your faulty driver and right click it and choose Update driver or Uninstall device.
   
3. Once you have updated drivers, restart your computer. If you had deleted them, they will automatically be reinstalled during next Windows boot up.

2. Solution – Performing Windows Fix Scan through Command Prompt

Another quick and easy solution is executing a simple solution through Command Prompt. let’s give it a try.

1. Launch Command Prompt by searching for it in the Windows search box.
   
2. Once in Command Prompt, type in or copy – paste following line: Sfc /Scannow then hit Enter. Wait until the verification process is completed and restart your computer.

3. Solution – Cleaning Registry

Without Registry, your computer couldn’t run properly. The registry holds important information about operating system and hardware. If the registry is corrupt or contains a bad value, you might get this error. We advise using a Registry cleaning tool to resolve this, a good choice is CCleaner Professional.

Final words 

We truly hope that one of these solutions helped you fix this error message. However, if you are still facing it, you might want to try reinstalling your Windows or taking a look in our How To Fix Windows Blue Screen Of Death article where we explain some more complex solutions.