0x000000BE Fix: Attempted Write to Readonly Memory
0x000000BE usually means a driver wrote into protected memory. If the dump names a .sys file, I treat that driver as the first suspect, and if the name is generic, I check recent updates, RAM, and firmware next. Ignore it, and you can burn hours reinstalling Windows while the real fault keeps dropping the PC. This guide shows how to read the stop code, pull the offending driver from a dump, and separate driver trouble from bad memory or hardware.
This guide is part of our Windows BSOD stop codes: full list and fixes series.
What does stop code 0x000000BE mean?
It means a driver tried to write to memory that Windows marked read-only, and the bug check value is 0x000000BE (per Microsoft support). My first move is to read the blue-screen clue for a named driver, then check the minidump if the PC restarts too fast to catch it.
What the parameters can tell you
Bug check parameters 1-4 are a clue, not a full verdict. Parameter 1 is the virtual address of the attempted write, Parameter 2 is the PTE contents, and Parameters 3 and 4 are reserved; these details can help when the driver name is missing or the dump is generic.
Why the blue screen may name a driver
If Windows can identify the faulting driver, its name may appear on the blue screen and be recorded in memory. NeoSmart and Techeia both note that the crash screen often points at a corrupt or incompatible .sys file, which is the first thing I trust before chasing RAM or firmware.
According to Bug Check 0xBE: ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY — The bug check value for ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY is 0x000000BE.
What usually causes 0x000000BE?
The most common direct cause is a Windows driver that is outdated, corrupt, or incompatible, especially a non-Microsoft storage, GPU, network, or security driver. After a Windows update, an older driver stack can clash with the new kernel or security changes, and that is often more likely than bad RAM on the first isolated crash.
Driver bugs and after-update conflicts
Faulty or corrupt device drivers are a common cause, and incompatible firmware software is another listed trigger. On Windows 11, security software drivers and modern filter drivers can sit deep in the stack, so a system update can expose a bug that had been quiet for weeks or months.
When memory or firmware move up the list
If the crash repeats across different drivers, appears during gaming or heavy compile loads, or starts after XMP/EXPO changes, memory and firmware move up the list. That is when RAM testing, BIOS/UEFI checks, and memory profile changes deserve attention before deeper driver surgery.
How do I find the driver named on the blue screen?
Catch the stop screen before the reboot, or inspect the minidump if Windows restarts too fast. The quickest usable clue is the driver name or .sys file on the blue screen; if that is missing, check C:\Windows\Minidump for a recent dump and read it with a viewer such as BlueScreenView.
Read the stop screen first
- Reproduce the crash only if needed.
- Photograph the blue screen before it restarts.
- Write down any .sys file name, device name, or security product shown on screen.
- If the screen flashes too fast, disable automatic restart in Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Startup and Recovery.
Check the minidump when the screen is gone
- Open
C:\Windows\Minidump. - Sort by date and grab the newest .dmp file.
- Open it in BlueScreenView or WinDbg Preview.
- Look for a .sys file or a repeated third-party driver in the stack.
What it means if no driver name appears
When no driver is named, do not jump straight to reinstalling Windows. That usually means the dump is generic, the fault happened in a shared Windows component, or the crashing driver was masked by memory corruption. In that case, the triage path shifts toward recent driver changes, Driver Verifier, and then RAM or firmware checks.
Fix the driver first
Start with the named .sys file, or the last driver you updated if the dump is generic. Device Manager can update, disable, roll back, or uninstall drivers, and Windows Update can replace a bad inbox or optional driver after the change (per Microsoft support; NeoSmart recommends Device Manager for this step).
