How To Fix “Bad Pool Header” In A Few Easy Steps!

If you’re a computer ninja, you might be well aware of Windows’ very own, “blue screen of death.” Even if you’re not a tech evangelist, “blue screen error” or “bad pool header,” is one of the most common errors in all versions of Windows and you might’ve come across it.

With an error code of 0x00000019, the bad pool header error is caused by the memory allocation unit of Windows. Specifically, whenever the system faces issues with allocating chunks of memory to the programs, it goes through this error.

Apart from memory allocation, there are a few other reasons which might cause the screen to be shown.

In most cases, and the one most users are familiar with is when a recently installed software or configured hardware device isn’t compatible with the version of the Windows the user is running.

However, this is not the only reason. Other underlying factors might include the malfunctioning of the installed routers or drivers. Apart from this, disk issues might also cause the computer to crash and display a blue screen error.

How To Fix It?

Since Windows is one of the most commonly used operating systems, solving problems generated by it does not require significant expertise.

Being handy with computers and knowing a little more than running Windows Explorer will get you through the troubleshooting process.

As we said, it is not a hard task to get through this error and might require a few tweaks only. Now, before we move on to discussing the solutions; an important tip is to run Windows in its safe mode.

Normal mode works just fine for the solutions, but the safe mode is specifically built to determine problems with the computer and can quickly identify whether a change in the system’s settings cause the system to operate or not.

Next, let’s discuss a list of some of the most efficient methods which can be used to fix this issue.

Now, you’re free to use one or more of these methods and is dependent on your problem is fixed or not. If one solution doesn’t work, move on and try the other.

All methods are tested and verified, so there’s going to be no issue with your PC at all.

Without a minute’s wait, here we go:

Method 1: Update The Drivers

One of the most common causes of the error is outdated device drivers. Although Windows updates the drivers to the newest versions by itself, some drivers might still need manual supervision.

However, if your settings are on manual by default, this is where the trouble begins. Try updating your drivers to see if the error goes away or persists.

It is necessary to check if all the device drivers are up to date, and if they are not, update them. If you’re looking for steps on how to update device drivers manually, here’s a list of the steps you have to follow:

1. Press the Windows button along with the key, ‘R’ It will open the Run window on the side.
2. Type in the following command to open the device manager: “devmgmt.msc”.
3. Locate the list of device drivers you want to update the drivers of, press the right click on them.
4. To update the device drivers, press “Update Driver Software” for each device driver.
5. Repeat each step for all devices and update their drivers.

Method 2: Run An Immediate Test on RAM

Since we have identified memory allocation to be a reason for this blue screen error, a faulty RAM can also be problematic. Eventually, it might cause a bad pool header error.

Although electronic components are better off being checked by local experts or support centers, you can check it by yourself as well.

Again, it is highly recommended that you take your computer to the local store to get it checked and receive better assistance. Now, the check you could do by yourself is, see whether or not your RAM is dusty or appears to be darker around some corners.

If you feel dust around the RAM, take the RAM out, and clean it by using an eraser. Gently rub it out and clean the dust and place it back in the slot. Rerun your computer and check if the error persists. If it still shows, going to a professional can be a problem solver as well.

Usually, you might be recommended to buy new RAM rather than getting it fixed or buying used components with zero to no guarantees.

Method 3: Try Disconnecting External Devices

External devices and their drivers, which are installed upon installation, might also interfere with the normal operations of the system.

Before proceeding with this method, however, remove all external hardware devices that might be connected to your computer.

However, this doesn’t include your monitors, keyboard, or mice, which might be essential in operating the computer itself.

Try restarting your computer once you’ve removed all external devices. See if the error persists or not. If it goes away, it is probably the piece of hardware you attached to your system.

In this case, start connecting your external devices one by one, and see which device causes the error you’ve been trying to avoid.

Once you’ve figured out the device, keep it away. Either, you can replace the device with an alternate or update the drivers of the device before attempting to connect it to the port. It might resolve your queries.

Method 4: Turn Off Fast Startup (Windows 10)

If you’re running the latest instance of Windows, i.e., Windows 10, and have the feature, Fast Startup, turned on, it might be problematic. Fast Startup often causes the system to boot without normally loading the devices into the memory; causing a failure.

For this method to work, you’ll be required to shut off the Fast Startup feature. If, however, you don’t run Windows 10, you can safely ignore this and try the other method if the previous ones haven’t shown any luck as of now.

Follow the following steps to turn it off on Windows 10:

1. Press the “Windows Button” + “R” key on the keyboard.
2. Type “powercfg.cpl” to run Power Options.
3. Select “What the power button does” displayed on the right side of the screen.
4. Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
5. Uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” option, save changes.
6. Restart your computer.

Method 5: Uninstall or Disable Antivirus Software

You installed a new version of some software you’ve wanted to get or maybe installed a new third-party antivirus on your computer? This software might also be the problematic piece you’ve been trying to locate thus far.

To disable antivirus or software, follow these steps:

• Open the Control Panel. You can open it by either searching for it or open it from your Start button.
• Next, open the “Programs and Features,” this should display a list of all the applications that are installed on your system.
• Next, locate the software you’ve been trying to uninstall. Click uninstall once you’ve selected the software to proceed with the uninstallation.
• Reboot the PC once you’re done.

If the error still persists, the software might not be faulty. If it doesn’t, the application is either not compatible with your Windows or there’s another issue on the backend.

Try installing a different software in this case or wait until appropriate support is given.

Method 6: Reinstall Wireless Card Drivers

As mentioned already, bad pool header is often caused by outdated or incompatible device drivers. In some cases, wireless card drivers are also a faulty piece of hardware. If it’s faulty or not up to date, let’s take a quick look at how this can be resolved.

Try uninstalling and then reinstalling the card drivers. Here’s how you can do it:

1. To open Device Manager, press Windows Button + X key and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. Find the wireless network adapter of your computer, right-click on it, and select uninstall
3. After uninstalling successfully, reboot the computer.

You can always reinstall and update your network adapter driver through the respective network driver manufacturer’s website.

Method 7: Check System File Integrity

Since the blue screen error signifies a critical failure, a damaged system file might also be the root cause of the error.

However, errors due to damaged computer files can be fixed with a quick SFC scan.

It quickly finds all missing or faulty files and attempts to replace the damaged file with their working copies. It can either be from the cache or from some other source.

To run the SFC scan on your system registry, follow the following steps:

1. Press the Windows key along with the “S” key.
2. Type “Command Prompt” to search for the command prompt software.
3. Once, the Command Prompt app is displayed in the bar, right-click it and press “Run as administrator”.
4. Type the following command on the command prompt “SFC /scannow.
5. Press Enter for the scan to start.

Method 8: Try Restoring Your System

Again, Windows provides extreme functionalities to its users in terms of usability, recoverability, and troubleshooting problems.

If you’ve backed up your PC or saved a “system restore point”, you might be able to fix this problem by restoring your computer to a previously saved point. In most cases, it is a program you’ve installed, intentionally or unintentionally, which causes your system to behave abnormally.

Running a system restore function allows typically the system to remove all new changes and revert it back to the state where everything was working correctly – precisely what we want for our faulty computer.

To restore your PC to a previously saved point, follow these following steps:

1. Press Windows Button + S Key.
2. Type System Reset in the search bar and let your computer search for the appropriate application.
3. Click the System Reset application or the “Reset This PC” option from the results.
4. Then click “System Reset” option.
5. Select the latest Restore Point from the selection list and click Next.
6. Follow the System Reset Wizard and let it help you revert your system to a previously stored state.

Note: Remember that this restore will revert all recent changes to your system; this might lead to loss of any critical data as well.

If you have unsaved data or something important stored that is not backed up, you might want to try a different method. Files removed from a successful restore can’t be BROUGHT BACK AGAIN.

Method 9: Disk Check

Since hard disks or external hard disk drivers are the essential components of a computer system; these are often the source of system failures and blue screen errors.

Either the head causes the disk to crash, or there’s an internal error that causes the operating system to fail in its booting process.

To mitigate disk-related errors, there is a built-in tool for Windows known as Disk Check.

Disk Check scans all the errors related to the hard disk and other devices and fixes them once found. This is one of the most accessible solutions and doesn’t require expertise, as well.

To run a Disk Check follow these few steps:

1. Go to “This PC” from your desktop, Windows Bar, or Search option.
2. Right-click on “Local Disk (C:)” and select “Properties” from the menu.
3. Click the “Tools” tab.
4. Select “Check”.
5. Then click “Start” to run the disk check.
6. Follow the instructions displayed on the screen to fix errors.
7. Reboot your computer to check if the error still prevails or not.

Note: This process might take some time, make sure you have enough time aside to run this check. However, it has rendered positive results, and you should let it take its time. Also, try not to cancel the operation in the middle.

Method 10: Perform Clean Boot

If none of these methods have worked for you, it is likely the operating system causing the problem internally.

For this method, which is the last resort, you can reinstall the operating system you wish to use. It can be the newest version of Windows or whatever operating system you choose to write.

Most likely, the error will stop persisting. If, however, it still doesn’t work and causes the same errors during installation or after that, asking a technician can be your best bet.