BAD_POOL_HEADER
What is this error?
A pool header is corrupt. This indicates memory corruption in the Windows kernel memory pool, caused by faulty drivers, bad RAM, or software bugs.
Common causes
- faulty or incompatible driver
- corrupted RAM
- antivirus kernel hooks
- malware
- overclocking instability
How to fix it
- Update all drivers
- run memtest86
- temporarily uninstall antivirus
- run sfc /scannow
Too many steps? Crashless can diagnose this automatically — checks your drivers, temps, VRAM, and 400+ known error patterns.
Get free AI diagnosis Detailed analysis
Bug check 0x00000019 (BAD_POOL_HEADER) means Windows detected corruption in its kernel memory pool. Something overwrote critical memory management data. This is a serious error indicating memory corruption.
Common in gaming PCs after driver updates, antivirus installations, or when RAM is failing.
How to fix it:
- Update ALL drivers — especially GPU, network, and chipset drivers. A buggy driver corrupting pool memory is the #1 cause
- Run memtest86 overnight — bad RAM corrupts pool headers randomly
- Temporarily uninstall your antivirus (not just disable — fully uninstall). Antivirus kernel hooks are a notorious cause
- Run 'sfc /scannow' and 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth' to repair system files
- Check the minidump (C:\Windows\Minidump) for the faulting driver name
- Disable XMP/EXPO RAM profiles and test at default speeds
- If it started after installing new software, uninstall it — it may have a buggy kernel driver
When to seek help
If this error keeps happening after trying the fixes above, it may point to a deeper hardware or system issue. Consider professional help if:
- The crash occurs across multiple games or applications
- You see the same error after a clean Windows install
- Your PC is less than a year old (could be a warranty issue)
- You smell burning or hear unusual sounds from your PC
Or let Crashless do the deep analysis for you -- our AI checks drivers, temps, event logs, and 400+ known patterns automatically.
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