How to Fix “Bad System Config Info” Error in Windows PC

The “Bad System Config Info” error indicates that critical system configuration files are corrupted or mismatched, and prevent Windows from booting properly. In simple terms, the problem occurs when Windows cannot read or load essential configuration data from the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) or registry files. There are several reasons for the error, including Problems with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), incorrect hardware drivers, or even corrupted system files. However, repairing the BCD file helped lots of users fix BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error. If you are struggling with this BSOD error, check the step-by-step solutions to fix it on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.

What causes Bad system config info error?

The “Bad System Config Info” error occurs when the Windows registry hive is corrupted, and it can be caused by software issues like corrupt system files, incorrect boot configuration data (BCD), or faulty drivers, as well as hardware problems such as a damaged hard drive, RAM issues, or loose cables.

• Corrupted System Files: Essential files needed for Windows to start can become damaged, leading to this error.
• Registry Corruption: The Windows Registry, a database of system settings, can become corrupted if not closed properly or if values are missing.
• Faulty Hardware: Issues with the hard drive, memory (RAM), or loose cables can cause the system to fail during boot.
• Incompatible or Outdated Drivers: A newly installed or outdated device driver can interfere with system operation.
• Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD): The BCD file, which helps the system find and load Windows, may become corrupted, preventing a proper boot.
• Problematic Windows Updates: A recent, failed, or buggy Windows update can sometimes trigger this error.

Disconnect External Devices and Restart Your PC

Sometimes, external hardware or connected devices can cause driver conflicts or corrupt boot data. Disconnecting them allows Windows to boot with only essential drivers and components.

• Disconnect all external devices (USB drives, external HDDs, printers, etc.)
• Restart your PC.
• Wait to see if Windows loads normally without the blue screen.

Repair Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Manually

Corrupted BCD entries are one of the most common causes of the Stop code “Bad System Config Info” error. Let’s repair the boot configuration data (BCD) and master boot record (MBR), which are essential for loading Windows correctly.

• Boot from your Windows installation media and go to Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.
• Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

Bootrec /fixmbr
Bootrec /fixboot
Bootrec /scanos
Bootrec /rebuildbcd

Note: If you get Access is denied when running bootrec /fixboot, run the command bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr before retrying.

These commands repair the Master Boot Record (MBR), rewrite the boot sector, and rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). This fixes boot-related corruption that often causes the “Bad System Config Info” BSOD.

• After executing these commands, close Command Prompt and restart your PC.

Check and Repair the Windows Registry

A corrupted Windows registry can also trigger this BSOD. You can restore it using backup files.

• Boot into the Command Prompt from Advanced Options.
• Type the following command

CD C:\Windows\System32\config

This changes the directory to the folder where Windows stores the active registry hives.

Next, rename the existing registry files so they can be replaced safely. Type these commands one by one and press Enter after each:

ren C:\Windows\System32\config\DEFAULT DEFAULT.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SAM SAM.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SECURITY SECURITY.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE SOFTWARE.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM SYSTEM.old

This creates backups of your current (possibly corrupted) registry hives.

Now run the following commands to copy the clean backups from the RegBack folder:

copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\DEFAULT C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SAM C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SECURITY C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SYSTEM C:\Windows\System32\config\
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack\SOFTWARE C:\Windows\System32\config\

After copying completes successfully, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Boot Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is ideal for diagnosing software issues. If third-party drivers or startup applications are causing the BSOD “Bad System Config Info” error, booting into Safe Mode helps bypass them.

• Turn on your PC and as soon as Windows starts loading, press and hold the power button to force shutdown.
• Repeat this 2–3 times until you see Automatic Repair.
• Choose Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
• When the system restarts, press F4 (or 4) to enable Safe Mode.

• Alternatively, start your computer from installation media
• Skip the first screen and click on the Repair your computer option as shown image below.

• Select “Troubleshooting” from the first Window and then select “Advanced Options”.
• Click on Startup Settings → Restart. When the system restarts, press F4 (or 4) to enable Safe Mode.

Update or Reinstall Drivers

Incompatible or outdated drivers are a source of several issues, including this blue screen error. Reinstalling or updating them ensures compatibility and system stability.

• Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
• Expand each category (especially Display adapters, Storage controllers, Network adapters, and Chipset).
• Right-click a driver → Update driver → choose Search automatically for drivers.
• If the problem started after a recent driver installation, right-click → Uninstall device, then restart your PC.

This option will update the device driver for you. You can also download the latest drivers from the device manufacturer’s website and install them on your PC

Check if the system memory is causing the issue

The newly added RAM can be responsible for this error. You can check it easily by removing it. If you don’t face BSOD errors anymore, then this will be the source of your problem. That means, your new memory is either incompatible or bad. So, you should replace it as early as possible.

Run Memory Diagnostic Tool

If you haven’t added any, that means your old RAM is corrupted. You should run a diagnostic test on your computer’s existing memory. This test will find memory failures and intermittent errors, which could be causing BSOD errors. You should use any Memory Diagnostic Tool to run this test.

• Open Start Menu and type “memory diagnostic”.
• Now select the Windows Memory Diagnostic app.
• Now click on “Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
• Your PC will be restarted and checked for your memory problems.

It may require a few minutes. If it detects any error, you should visit your computer manufacturer’s website to find solutions or contact the support team.

Checking & Repairing Hard Disk Corruption

Damaged or corrupted hard disk problems may create this BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error. To check damaged hard disk, use the chkdsk command.

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Now type chkdsk c:  /f /r /x  and press Enter.
• Press y to schedule to run check disk utility on next restart
• close everything and restart Windows,
• Next Time when you restart Windows it will check and fix problems automatically.

Use the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Tools

Corrupted system files often trigger the BSOD. You can fix them using SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) commands.

• Boot into Safe Mode or open Command Prompt from recovery mode.
• Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

SFC repairs corrupted or missing system files, while DISM restores the Windows image used by SFC. Together, they ensure system integrity and fix BSODs caused by corrupted core files.

Perform a System Restore

If the problem began after a software or driver change, System Restore can roll your PC back to a working state.

• Open Advanced Options → System Restore.
• Choose a restore point created before the issue appeared.
• Follow the prompts to complete the restoration.

System Restore reverses registry and configuration changes without deleting personal files, often fixing BSODs caused by recent system modifications.

Reset or Reinstall Windows

If nothing else works, resetting Windows might be the final fix. Resetting reinstalls Windows with fresh system files, removes faulty configurations, and ensures a clean boot environment.

• Go to Advanced Options → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.

• Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

FAQ – Fix “Bad System Config Info” Error

Q1. What does the “Bad System Config Info” error mean?
It means that Windows cannot load essential configuration data due to corrupted BCD, registry, or system files.

Q2. Can a faulty RAM cause this error?
Yes, bad memory modules can cause registry corruption or boot configuration mismatches leading to this BSOD.

Q3. Is reinstalling Windows necessary to fix it?
Not always. You can usually fix the issue using repair commands (BCD rebuild, SFC, DISM) or System Restore.

Q4. How do I access Advanced Startup Options if my PC won’t boot?
You can use a Windows installation USB or power off your PC three times during boot to trigger Automatic Repair mode.

Q5. How to prevent this error in the future?
Keep your drivers updated, avoid forced shutdowns, perform regular system backups, and ensure stable power during Windows updates.