randgrid.sys blue screen error generally occurs when starting Call of Duty game from Steam app. This driver file is an integral part of the game but is found glitchy on several occasions. Due to randgrid.sys, the computer might freeze, lag, or hang, the gaming app might not open. All these may end up with blue screen error with a certain bugcheck value mostly trapped in a loop of restarts.
The randgrid.sys BSOD can be the result of the file itself without a genuine signature, VPN, corrupted driver, and buggy updates. Furthermore, as usual, broken system files or installation elements, the presence of malware, and interference of third-party apps are other pivotal reasons. Bad_pool_caller and other bug checks are associated with this error code. Whatever the reasons, you will meet with working solutions in this post. Let’s move forward to them without wasting time:
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randgrid.sys Blue Screen Error
Here is how to fix randgrid.sys Blue Screen Error in Windows:
Delete the culprit file
Since the inauthentic randgrid.sys driver file is culprit in this case, delete this one to solve the issue. Don’t doubt, this will not harm the files structure or anything but clean the bug preventing your game from launching or triggering blue screen of death.
The driver is located in Battle.net or Call of Duty files therefore follow the steps:
- Go to the location that suits you:
C:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Call of Duty HQ\randgrid.sys (3).
C:\ProgramData\Battle.net_components\randgridauks\
- Delete the file and verify if needed.
See: Fix System Thread Exception not Handled nvlddmkm.sys Error in Windows 11 or 10
Uninstall VPN app
Multiple users noticed that randgrid.sys blue screen or launching problem with Call of Duty, MW3 seems to happen while using VPN. To get rid of these circumstances, disable VPN and uninstall the respective program earliest possible.
The VPN is provided using an independent program, browsers, and sometimes with extensions these days hence remove the network with an appropriate method. Generally, you can use the following steps:
- Right-click on “Start” and select “Run”.
- Type appwiz.cpl and press “Enter”.
- Find the present VPN software, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall”.
- Confirm the verification prompt and reboot your device.
- See if the error is fixed.
Install the most recent Windows updates
Windows updates are developed to protect your computer from any threats, fix old bugs, and improve performance so when facing randgrid.sys blue screen installing the latest ones can certainly help you. Move forward with the steps to install them:
- Launch Settings (Winkey+I) and select “Windows update” from the left pane.
- Click on “Check for updates” and wait for a while until available patches are downloaded. The time taken will depend on your internet speed.
- You will come across a prompt; select “Restart now”.
- After a couple of reboots, the system will complete installation.
Bring SFC and DISM into use
System file checker is a robust command line tool to scan, verify, and fettle the system components helpful in settling this BSOD. In the same way, DISM repairs the installation elements and corruption in them which can start the bugcheck. Therefore, run both of them as follows:
- Press the “Windows” key and type cmd.exe.
- Select – “Run as administrator”.
- When the Command prompt appears, type
SFC /SCANNOWand hit “Enter”. - The tool will run through system scan and verification phase; once completed, reboot the PC. If the error is gone then very good otherwise again launch the elevated command prompt.
- Run the following lines of command sequentially:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Finally, restart the device and see if you can launch Call of Duty.
Read: Fix amdkmpfd.sys Blue Screen Error BSOD in Windows 11 or 10
Perform a full malware check
Malware can also cause randgrid.sys Blue screen error so using Windows Defender can be beneficial in your case. Windows Defender is a powerful built-in security tool to eliminate threats and safeguard from attacks. Proceed with the steps and kill if any exist:
- Click on the “Start” button and type in “security”.
- Press the “Enter” key to launch the Security app.
- Select “Virus & threat protection”.
- Then, click on “Scan options”.
- Check “Full scan” and select “Scan now”.
- This will take a lot of time so stay patiently and at last follow the commendations shown through notifications.
Uninstall Windows update
Opposite to improvements and bug fixes, sometimes Windows updates may behave in a bad way causing incompatibility with some apps and drivers. This may be the reason behind the BSOD you are confronting with.
Especially, when the error starts just after installing a Windows update, this method is appropriate for you. Therefore, go with the steps:
- Navigate to “Settings > Windows update > Update history”.
- Then, go to “Uninstall updates”.
- Click on Uninstall and confirm the prompt.
- The system will restart twice and remove the update. When the process is finished, check for the BSOD or game-launching problem.
Remove third-party programs
Interference with incompatible third-party apps or their drivers may lead to randgrid.sys blue screen error you are encountering. Removing them is the best solution in this case, so pursue:
- Right-click on “Start” and select “Installed apps”.
- Scroll down in the Settings window and find the third part app in the list.
- Click on three dots and select Uninstall.
- If a prompt appears, follow the onscreen instructions until removal of the app.
- In the end, restart the PC.
That’s all!!