Device Freezes: Phone, Computer Keeps Freezing (STOP 0x000000EA)

When your computer crashes and you see the following line: STOP 0x000000EA (THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER), the video card driver is stuck waiting for something (usually a hardware operation) to happen. Most of you have probably seen nv4_disp.sys associated with this blue screen.

Updating the video card driver is one of the solutions to this problem. Before you download the latest driver check the model of your video (VGA) card (Nvidia or ATI Radeon). 

• Nvidia - click here to find the appropriate driver

• ATI Radeon - click here to find the appropriate driver

Enter the exact model of your video card (which you can find in Start -> All programs -> Accessories -> System tools -> System Information or type System Information in the start menu search box -> Components -> Display) -> select the Windows version you use (Windows 7/8(.1)/10 32-bit or 64-bit) and download the driver.

After that, run the installer and follow the instructions. Reboot your computer if needed.

Note: If you don't know which Windows version you use and the system type (32-bit or 64-bit), right-click My Computer (This PC) and select Properties.

Some computers have only on-board video card driver (eg. Intel HD Graphics) and to update it you need to visit your motherboard manufacturer's website (which you can also find in System Information -> System Summary).

When your computer crashes and you see one of the following stop codes: STOP 0x0000007E (SYSTEM_THREAD_EXEPTION_NOT_HANDLED), STOP 0x0000008E (KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED) or STOP 0x000000EA (THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER), a program running in the Kernel encountered an unexpected condition it could not recover from. They have identical troubleshooting and resolution steps.

Updating the BIOS to the latest available revision will solve the problem.

1. Check your BIOS version (Start menu -> type System information in the search programs and files box).
   
   
2. Go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and search for and download the latest BIOS update
   
   DO NOT DOWNLOAD BIOS from other websites, because it may be corrupted, and if you install it, you may have to replace the BIOS chip on the motherboard to repair your computer
   
   
3. Run the BIOS updater (in Windows) you downloaded from the manufacturer's website and click on Update/Flash/Run (or something similar) button.
   
   
4. Once you've done that, all that you have to do is relax and watch your BIOS getting updated.
   
   

Note: Updating the BIOS is not a very complex process which requires your full attention and care. Also, a power failure during the update process can corrupt the BIOS and make your computer unusable, until you have the BIOS chip replaced.

If you use a laptop, connect it to the AC adapter.