Blue Screen with Bugcheck 0x0000013a: Kernel Mode Heap Corruption

Few things are as alarming to a computer user as the sudden appearance of a “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD), especially when it happens on a Windows 11/10 laptop or desktop computer and comes with confusing technical jargon. One such perplexing bugcheck is 0x0000013a: Kernel_Mode_Heap_Corruption. This specific bugcheck code indicates that a severe memory malfunction has occurred due to corruption detected in the kernel-mode heap. This region of the system’s memory is where the operating system and certain drivers allocate their memory. In this article, we will discuss what Kernel_Mode_Heap_Corruption with bugcheck 0x0000013a means, its common causes, and actionable solutions.

Also see: Stop Code Kernel_Data_Inpage_Error BSOD in Windows 11/10

Understanding the 0x0000013a Kernel Mode Heap Corruption BSOD error

Before jumping into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand the fundamentals of this specific error.

What is the Kernel-Mode Heap?

The kernel-mode heap is a region in the system’s memory allocated for the operating system’s kernel and some device drivers. It operates at a privileged CPU level, making it more critical than user-mode applications. The heap is essentially a memory pool from which allocations are made for various kernel-mode operations.

Learn more: What does a Blue Screen with Sad Face mean on Windows 10/11

Why is corruption an issue?

Corruption in the kernel-mode heap means that something has overwritten or improperly altered the memory locations within this region. Such corruption can lead to system instability, crashes, and the infamous BSOD. Given the importance of the kernel-mode heap in system operations, even minor corruptions can have significant implications.

Common causes of 0x0000013a error

1. Faulty hardware: RAM defects or issues with other hardware components can result in memory corruption. This is one of the primary causes of such errors.
2. Corrupt device drivers: Drivers operating in kernel mode that have bugs or are incompatible can inadvertently corrupt the heap.
3. Malware: Malicious software might sometimes target the kernel mode for various reasons, leading to heap corruption.
4. Software bugs: Some software, especially those with root or kernel-level access, might have bugs leading to heap corruption.
5. Overclocking: Pushing the system’s hardware beyond its specified limits might cause unpredictable behavior, including memory corruption.

Linked issue: Windows 11/10 Computer Blue Screen When Idle (Fix)

How to fix the bugcheck 0x0000013a blue screen error

When faced with the 0x0000013a: Kernel_Mode_Heap_Corruption error, a systematic approach to troubleshooting can help identify and rectify the underlying cause. Here are some steps and solutions.

1. System restore

If you’ve recently installed new software, drivers, or updates, restoring your system to a point before these changes might resolve the issue.

1. Click on the “Start” button.
2. Type “System Restore” and select the matching result.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your computer to a previous state.

2. Check for hardware issues

Memory issues are a common cause. Consider running a memory diagnostic tool.

1. Click on the “Start” button.
2. Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” and select the matching result.
3. Choose “Restart now and check for problems”. This will reboot your system and check for memory issues.

If the diagnostic finds any problems, consider replacing the faulty RAM or hardware component.

3. Update or roll back drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can lead to kernel heap corruption.

1. Right-click on the “Start” button and select “Device Manager”.
2. Look for devices with a yellow triangle (indicating issues).
3. Right-click on the problematic device and choose “Update driver”. If the error started after a recent driver update, you might want to select “Roll Back Driver” instead.

4. Scan for malware

Using a trusted antivirus or antimalware software, run a complete system scan to ensure that no malicious entities are causing the corruption.

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Select the option for a “Full Scan” or “Complete System Scan”.
3. Remove any detected threats and restart your computer.

Pro tip: How to Scan an .exe File for Viruses to Check If It’s Safe

5. Avoid overclocking

If you’ve overclocked your system, consider reverting to the default settings. Overclocking, especially when not done correctly, can lead to system instability and memory corruption.

Further reading: Why is my CPU Overheating and How to Fix it

6. Update Windows

Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Microsoft periodically releases updates that can fix known issues and bugs.

1. Click on the “Start” button.
2. Select “Settings”.
3. Click on “Windows Update”.
4. Click on “Check for updates”.

After applying the above solutions, monitor your system to see if the BSOD reoccurs. If it does, more advanced diagnostics might be required, including consulting with technical experts or considering a clean installation of Windows.

Analyzing the dump file to pinpoint the cause

One of the most reliable methods to determine the root cause of a BSOD, especially one related to 0x0000013a: Kernel_Mode_Heap_Corruption, is by analyzing the memory dump file. This file is a snapshot of the system’s memory at the time of the crash and can provide insights into what might have caused the corruption.

See also: Windows 11 Dump File Location

Steps to analyze the dump file using WinDbg:

WinDbg (Windows Debugger) is a Microsoft tool that allows users to debug and diagnose issues in the Windows operating system. Here’s how to use WinDbg to analyze a dump file:

1. Install WinDbg:
   • Download WinDbg from Microsoft’s official website.
   • Install it on your system.

   

2. Locate the dump file:
   • By default, Windows stores dump files in the C:\Windows\Minidump directory.
   • Make a note of this path, as you will need to access it in WinDbg.

   

3. Setup symbol files:
   • Symbols are essential for debugging. They provide the link between the raw code in the dump file and the human-readable function names.
   • Launch WinDbg.
   • Go to File > Settings.
   • Navigate to “Debugging settings”, you’ll find the Default symbol path.
   • Set the path to: srv*c:\symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols (or modify the existing path by appending this to it). This tells WinDbg to fetch the necessary symbols from the Microsoft Symbol Server and store them locally in c:\symbols.
   • Click on OK to save the changes.

   

4. Load the dump file:
   • In WinDbg, go to File > Open dump file.
   • Navigate to the dump file’s location (C:\Windows\Minidump) and select the relevant .dmp file.

   

5. Analyze the dump file:
   • Once the dump file is loaded, type !analyze -v in the command box and press Enter.
   • WinDbg will start analyzing the dump file. This process can take a few minutes.

   

6. Review the analysis:
   • After the analysis is complete, WinDbg will display a detailed breakdown of the error. Look for the MODULE_NAME and IMAGE_NAME which often indicate the software or driver responsible for the crash.
   • Additionally, the STACK_TEXT section provides a call stack showing the sequence of calls that led to the crash.

   

7. Further investigation:
   • If you identify a specific driver or software as the culprit, consider updating, reinstalling, or removing it to see if the issue is resolved.
   • If the analysis is inconclusive, you might want to consider seeking expert advice or online forums where you can share the WinDbg output for further insights.
8. Additional commands:
   • WinDbg provides a variety of commands to delve deeper into the dump file. Some useful commands include !process, !thread, and !u to disassemble code. Familiarity with these commands can assist in pinpointing the issue but might require a deeper understanding of Windows internals.

Related resource: Dump file creation failed due to error in Windows 11

Keep in mind that analyzing dump files requires a bit of technical expertise. However, with practice and a little patience, you can become adept at pinpointing the cause of BSODs.

Conclusion

When encountering blue screen errors such as the bugcheck code 0x0000013a error, users should always prioritize checking the dump file to pinpoint the specific driver or component responsible for the Kernel_Mode_Heap_Corruption error. This method allows a targeted solution, making it significantly more efficient than applying general fixes blindly, although such general solutions can still be valuable. Identifying the root cause through dump file analysis empowers users to address the issue accurately and effectively, ultimately leading to a more stable Windows system.