Windows 11 users have reported encountering an error message that reads “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created.” This error occurs when a program tries to access more memory than has been allocated for its stack, leading to a stack overflow. The error can cause the affected program to crash, become unresponsive, or exhibit other unusual behaviors, disrupting the user’s workflow and causing frustration.
In this article, we’ll delve into the root causes of the “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” error and provide a comprehensive guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.
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Understanding the error
The error message “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” is related to stack overflow. Stack overflow occurs when a program attempts to use more memory than the allocated stack size. The stack is a region of memory that stores data and is used for temporary storage of variables and function call information. When the stack overflows, the program may crash or experience other unexpected behaviors.
In Windows 11, the operating system attempts to allocate a guard page for the stack to help protect against stack overflow. A guard page is a region of memory that separates the stack from other memory allocations. If a program tries to access memory beyond the stack’s limit, it will encounter the guard page, causing an access violation and preventing further damage.
Also see: How to Clear RAM Cache in Windows 11
However, sometimes Windows fails to create the guard page, resulting in the “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” error message. This error can be caused by several factors, including low system resources, software bugs, or conflicts with other applications.
If you’re a developer experiencing this error in your own application, you can try increasing the amount of stack space that is available to your program. This can typically be done using compiler flags or linker options. Alternatively, you can try allocating memory on the heap instead of the stack.
It’s also possible that this error message could be caused by other issues, such as a corrupted stack or a bug in your program. If you continue to encounter this error message after trying to increase the stack space or allocating memory on the heap, you may need to investigate further to determine the underlying cause.
Similar issue: Why is My Memory Usage So High When Nothing is Running?
How to fix “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” error
There are several ways to troubleshoot and fix the “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” error in Windows 11:
Restart your computer
Sometimes, a simple restart of your computer can resolve the problem. Restarting your computer can free up system resources, clear any temporary data, and refresh the operating system that might be causing the issue. To restart your computer, follow these steps:
- Save any open files and close all running programs.
- Click the Start button and select the power icon.
- Choose Restart from the menu.
- Wait for your computer to restart and check if the error persists.
Reinstall the problematic application
To uninstall and reinstall the problematic application:
- Press Win + X and select “Apps and Features”.
- Locate the problematic application in the list, click on it, and choose “Uninstall”.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the application.
- Restart your computer.
- Download and install the latest version of the application from the official website or the Microsoft Store.
Perform a clean boot
Performing a clean boot can help you troubleshoot the issue by disabling startup services and startup programs that may be causing the problem. Here’s how to do it:
- Press Win + R, type
msconfig, and press Enter.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
- Click Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, disable all startup items.
- Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
- Restart your computer and check if the error persists.
If the error is resolved, you can enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit. Once you’ve identified the problematic software or service, you can uninstall or disable it to prevent the error from recurring.
Useful tip: 30+ Windows 11 Services to Disable for Gaming Performance
Check for memory-exhausting processes or programs
To identify and address resource hogs:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Click on the Processes tab.
- Click on the Memory column header to sort processes by memory usage.
- Observe the processes at the top of the list, consuming the most memory.
If you find a process or program that’s consuming an unusually high amount of memory, you have a few options:
- If the process or program is unresponsive, right-click on it and choose End task to free up memory. Be aware that this may cause unsaved data to be lost.
- If the process is related to a specific application, try closing the application and reopening it to see if the memory usage returns to normal levels.
- Check for updates or patches for the application, as high memory usage may be caused by known issues that have been addressed by the developer.
- If the memory usage remains consistently high, consider uninstalling the application and looking for alternative software with lower resource requirements.
Recommended resource: How to Reduce Hardware Reserved Memory in Windows 11/10
By monitoring memory usage and identifying resource-intensive processes or programs, you can help prevent errors like “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” and ensure your system runs smoothly. Remember to keep your system and applications updated to minimize the risk of encountering such issues.
Run system file checker
To check for and repair corrupted system files, use the built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool:
- Press Win + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. - Wait for the process to complete (this may take some time) and then restart your computer.
Update your system and drivers
Outdated system files or device drivers can cause compatibility issues, leading to errors like this one. To update your system and drivers:
- Press Win + i to open Settings.
- Click on Windows Update in the left pane and then click on Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your computer if required.
- Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the categories, right-click on the device you want to update, and choose Update driver.
- Select “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the prompts.
End note
The “A new guard page for the stack cannot be created” error in Windows 11 can be a challenging issue to address, but by understanding the root cause of the error, it is possible to overcome it. However, if none of the solutions provided here resolve the issue, it might be necessary to seek assistance from the support team of the application causing the error. The developers or support staff may have additional insights or tools to help diagnose and fix the problem.
In addition to seeking help, it is essential to regularly update your system and applications to ensure you have the latest patches, bug fixes and improvements, which can help prevent such issues from arising in the future. Another critical factor is ensuring your system has sufficient memory (RAM) to support the applications you’re running.
