QR codes have a mixed reputation. Some users and companies find them useful, while others are wary of potential risks. Regardless of your opinion on them, if you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11 and encounter a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), you may notice a QR code. This feature is theoretically designed to help you understand what caused the BSOD and how to resolve it more easily. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use and what to expect from the QR troubleshooting codes displayed on Windows BSODs.

Blue Screens of Death in Windows

The infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) has long been known for displaying cryptic error messages, leaving everyday users frustrated. While IT professionals might use these error codes for troubleshooting, the average user often finds them difficult to interpret. In older versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, the BSODs displayed raw error data that was not user-friendly.

Blue Screens of Death in old Windows versions

However, starting with the Anniversary Update for Windows 10 (released in 2016), and continuing with Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new feature: QR codes on the BSODs.

A BSOD in Windows 10

What do these QR codes do, and how useful are they? Here’s…

How to use QR codes on the Blue Screen of Death

The BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) typically states that:

Along with a Stop code, which can be used to look up and troubleshoot the issue, you can see a QR code in the bottom-left corner. The idea is that scanning this QR code with your phone should take you to a webpage with information about the specific BSOD error that caused the crash, as well as potential troubleshooting steps.

QR code on a Blue Screen of Death

However, at the time of writing, the BSOD QR codes in Windows 10 and Windows 11 don’t provide links to error-specific solutions.

Instead, they redirect you to a general Microsoft support page on troubleshooting blue screen errors, which means the information you’ll get is not directly relevant to your issue.

Microsoft's Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows page

TIP: Did you know that you can trigger a manual BSOD in Windows anytime you want? It may be useful when you need a new idea to prank someone on April Fool’s Day. 🙂

That said, Windows is continually being updated, and the QR codes shown on the BSODs may yet become more detailed and error-specific over time. For now, however, don’t expect the QR codes to get you to a direct fix.

What’s your take on the BSOD QR codes?

The introduction of QR codes to BSODs in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is a step toward making system troubleshooting more accessible for non-technical users. Scanning the code can quickly direct you to some general help documentation, but for now, don’t expect a quick fix. As Windows operating systems continue to be updated, these QR codes may become more useful. Have you ever used the BSOD QR code? Did it help you solve the problem? Do you believe their usefulness could improve? Let me know in the comments below.