Fix: PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL Blue Screen Error in Windows 10

How to solve PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL BSOD or Blue Screen of Death having bugcheck code 0x000000A1 in Windows 10.

PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL

System crashes and driver corruption are familiar issues for the latest OS version. These faults often lead to the Blue Screen PCI BUS DRIVER INTERNAL. Current BSOD is accompanied by a bug check value of 0x000000A1 indicating that there are inconsistency complications in the PCI Bus driver. The problems are detected in its internal structures and thus could not continue further.

Though difficult to interpret for normal users, some probable reasons are obsolete drivers, low disk space, outdated operating system, memory issues, threat attacks, and more. In this article, certain possible workarounds are there that will help affected users to overcome from BSOD situation. Explore the below list of simple and effective solutions.

PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL

Here is how to fix PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL Blue Screen error in Windows 10 –

1] Run System File Checker Tool

As known to all, system files are the core components of the operating system and in any case if they go missing, it gets broken or becomes faulty, errors like PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL are likely to occur. Now such a major thing cannot happen in the system without any reason. These complications do occur when certain changes in the system become incompatible with the regular functioning of the OS.

So to deal with such scenarios, the System File Checker tool comes quite handy as it can retrieve those missing files. Once the in-built utility is executed, it will replace the broken files from Windows cache folder and this is how you would proceed –

  1. Get access to the Run dialog using Win+R hotkey. Insert the command cmd and jointly hit Ctrl+Shift+Enter to directly open Command Prompt as Admin from Run.
  2. Click Yes on the prompt of UAC.
  3. Type in or copy-paste the below line of command and hit Enter to execute the inbuilt utility.

sfc /scannow

  1. System File Checker will initiate the scan and detect the presence of faulty system files. Moreover, it will make an attempt to replace the corrupted ones from Windows cache folder.
  2. Once the scan gets over, reboot the device for effective results.

2] Update Obsolete Drivers to Fix PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL

Keeping the drivers up to date with their latest version is very necessary to prevent any issues in the system. For any reason, if they become obsolete, BSOD issues such as PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL will appear. Hence maintaining each and every device and its driver plays a significant role in a healthy PC.

Drivers can be updated either from Device Manager or directly by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Go through the below sequence of steps to carry out the solution –

  1. Right-click on Start icon, select Device Manager from Win+X menu.
  2. Look for the devices that display yellow exclamation marks and expand it.
  3. Right-click on the listed devices and choose Update driver.
PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL Pic 1
  1. The updating wizard will show up, select Update drivers automatically.
  2. Wait for the system to scan for the available drivers and install the same.

Note – In any case, if the above procedure fails to deliver the latest updates, then visit the manufacturer’s site directly. Once into there, search for the device’s model number and grab the latest driver.

3] Perform a Full PC Scan

Virus or malware attacks are quite common and they easily get into PC through various modes. The attachment of USB flash drives, use of internet without proper security, clicking spam links, etc are some of the ways by which a system gets infected. Some of them immediately damage the device; whereas a few of them get deep into the system and start destroying the system components.

Such malicious activities in the device are one of the reasons for the PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL blue screen. In such scenarios, conducting a normal security scan won’t help as the malware from the root folders cannot be traced out. Hence, perform a full PC scan in order to detect and get rid of all the threats present on the computer. Follow these given instructions to execute this scan using the built-in protection tool –

  1. Go to system tray and click Sow hidden icons, the tiny upward arrow. Select shield icon to open Windows Security.
  2. Once into the app, click Virus & threat protection.
  3. Click Scan options link on the right pane to explore more scanning features.
  4. Choose Full scan and thereafter execute a hit on Scan now.
PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL Pic 2
  1. Conducting this scan will take lots of time as the app will delve deep inside every file of the system. Wait for the entire program to scan, determine, and display the list of threats present in the device.
  2. Select appropriate action from the list of options and remove them to make PC healthy and virus-free.

4] Disconnect Unwanted Hardware Accessories

Another possible cause for the occurrence of BSOD like PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL could be external hardware peripherals connected to the device. Sometimes, because of certain abrupt reasons like incompatibility issues between devices, obsolete drivers, etc conflicts happen within the system which further leads to Blue Screen scenarios.

Therefore, as the easiest workaround simply disconnect all the external hardware accessories such as printers, mouse, keyboard, scanner from PC. After unplugging them, Restart Windows 10 PC and see if the aforementioned BSOD appears or not. If the error does not occur again, try reconnecting the accessories one after another and try to find out the culprit.

5] Use DISM Tool, the in-built command-line utility

Windows image files get broken or become faulty because of various reasons. When such a situation happens the system is prone to several issues and PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL BSOD is not an exception. To deal with such files, Windows has a built-in tool DISM which can mitigate the problem quite efficiently. To deploy the utility, go through these series of steps –

  1. Type cmd.exe on taskbar search box. When results are displayed, hover over Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  2. Click Yes when UAC pops up for further permission.
  3. Once the black window shows up, insert the give-line of commands and hit Enter.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  1. After the three scans are over, reboot the device and check for error and its stop code.

6] Run Online or Offline Blue Screen Troubleshooter

Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter is specially designed to determine and repair all the problems that can lead to BSODs. This troubleshooter is available for the users running Fall Creators Update and above. However, the tool is not currently available in the latest versions. But users can use the online troubleshooter instead to get the system back on track. See both the ways here –

  1. Launch any web browser and visit Microsoft’s online troubleshooting site.
  2. Walkthrough the troubleshooting steps and they will guide the system to be back on track.
  3. Once the process gets over, it is always recommended to reboot the device to make the changes effective. Upon startup, check for the BSOD that was disturbing.

However, for users who can access and run the tool from the Settings app, here are the steps –

  1. Click the cog icon on Start Menu to access Settings.
  2. Reach out to Update & Security.
  3. Select Troubleshoot from the left-wing on subsections.
  4. On the right, locate and select Blue screen. Hit Run the troubleshooter button to start detecting the possible causes of PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL.

7] Check for Windows Update to Fix PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL

Microsoft rolls out a wide range of cumulative updates, preview builds, security updates from time to time. These updates contain fixes for various bugs and issues, driver updates, new exciting features. In any case, if these updates are missed to install the device is likely to come across PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL.

So when the system is running out of date, it will be prone to various complications automatically. Therefore, as a possible solution, it is advisable to check for pending updates and to do this, see the below steps –

  1. Perform a right-click on Start and choose Settings.
  2. Go with the Update & Security category.
  3. On the right pane of the following page, click Check for updates.
Check for Windows Updates to Fix BSOD Pic 3
  1. Wait for the system to find available updates and list them. Hit Download to grab them and if any of the updates require a restart, carry it out for complete installation.
  2. Upon startup, see for the BSOD error and hopefully, this would solve everything.

8] Repair Memory Problems

RAM issues are quite common that might occur after prolonged use of a device. There are other cases also where the memory gets damaged for other reasons as well. But here the point arises to know whether the system is facing any complications with the RAM or not.

Windows Memory Diagnostic is an inbuilt tool that becomes a great aid in such complications as memory problems. Once a scan is conducted, the system will trace out the difficulties in RAM but the entire process takes little time to complete. These are the instructions to find and deploy the tool –

  1. Launch taskbar search box using Winlogo+Q hotkey, type memory. From the results list that pops out, select Windows Memory Diagnostic.
  2. Once the wizard shows up, go ahead by opting for the option namely “Restart now and check for problems (recommended)“.
  3. Choosing this option will reboot the system and on startup, the tool will power up the tool in detecting RAM.
  4. Once the scan reaches 100%, a second restart will take place and this time, system tray will have result of the entire scan.

9] Fix PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL by Wiping out Junk Files

Continuous accumulation of junk items in the form of temporary files, cache folders, old installation files, etc occupies a significant amount of disk space. When a device runs out of disk space, it is likely to encounter issues like BSODs and the appearance of PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL won’t be a surprise.

Therefore, to avoid such error messages and Improve Windows 10 Performance Successfully, maintain the space of disk drive. It should always have sufficient space to install new updates and run important programs. Use Disk Cleanup, the built-in cleaning utility which will scan the entire drive. Proceed with the given series of steps to wipe out the junk items from system –

  1. Open Run dialog box using a combination of Winlogo+R hotkey.
  2. Insert cleanmgr and click OK to open Disk Cleanup.
  3. Choose the drive letter where the operating system is installed, for example – C.
  4. The tool will scan and on the next wizard, click Clean up system files button.
Delete Junk Items to Resolve BSOD Pic 4
  1. Again select the same disk drive letter and hit Enter.
  2. Choose the areas that you prefer to clean like Thumbnails, old Windows installation files, Temporary files, DirectX folder, Downloads, Recycle Bin, etc. Click OK to start the removing process.

Note – Before you choose Downloads option in Disk Cleanup, ensure to save the necessary contents to a safe location.

10] Repair Bad Areas in Hard Disk

BSOD including PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL is an outcome of bad areas in the hard disk. Prolonged use of the disk sometimes creates faulty drives and Disk Check tool comes very handily in such situations.

It scans and repairs hard disk issues but certain parameters need to be used in its command line and each of them is specifically designed an individual task. Power up an elevated Command Prompt and simply execute a command to repair faulty hard disk. Observe the below steps to carry out the task –

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator using any preferred method.
  2. Once into the black window, copy-paste the given line of command and hit Enter.

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

  1. The tool will automatically start detecting possible issues in the hard disk and will eventually make an attempt to resolve them right away.
  2. Wait for the scan to finish as this will be quite a lengthy process. After it is over, reboot the system and check for the occurrence of any BSOD.

11] Disable Unnecessary Services and Startup Programs

When Windows start, a wide number of background apps and programs are there that start functioning immediately at the startup. Some of them have a huge impact on the system which further leads to several complications including PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL.

Therefore here, as a workaround simply Disable Unwanted Startup Programs if you don’t prefer them to run every time the system boots up. Therefore, doing a clean boot, put a stop to those unnecessary services and background programs as well. Start the system with a minimum set of apps and see if the BSOD still occurs.

  1. Conduct a right-click on Start and choose Run. Insert the text msconfig and click OK.
  2. Uncheck the option entitled Load startup items and shift to the Services tab.
  3. Move ahead by opting to Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all button.
  4. Jump to the Startup tab and click the link stating Open Task Manager.
  5. See the entire list of background programs and note their impact on startup. Choose one by one and click Disable.
  6. Again head back to the System Configuration and click Apply and OK. Restart the system for effective outcomes.

12] Carry out an Automatic Repair

To detect and fix potential bugs rooted deep inside the system, Automatic Repair the inbuilt tool becomes quite helpful. The entire process carries a number of tests including some troubleshooting steps as well. Go through the below guidelines to perform this auto repair –

  1. Launch Settings application using Winlogo+I hotkey.
  2. Choose Update & Security.
  3. Opt Recovery subsection on the left sidebar. Switch to the right pane and hit Restart now beneath the Advanced startup section.
Perform Automatic Repair to Resolve BSOD Pic 5
  1. Once the Windows completes its cycle of rebooting, choose Troubleshoot => Advanced options => Startup Repair.
  2. Provide Microsoft Account credentials in the subsequent Automatic Repair page.
  3. Click Continue to initiate the repairing procedure.

13] Uninstall Defective Windows Update Files

For many reasons, the installation of the Windows update cannot be completed successfully. Poor internet connection, low storage space are some of the common causes behind it.

When the system contains the defective, broken, or faulty Windows Update files, BSOD errors like PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL will occur. So if the issue happens just after installing any update, then it is definitely one of those faulty files that are creating a mess. Therefore as a safe solution, just uninstall them and see if this fixes everything –

  1. Fire up Start menu and click cog icon to access Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security.
  3. Click View update history on the right side.
  4. Hit Uninstall updates link.
  5. On the following window, reach out to the last installed patch. Right-click on it and choose Uninstall.
  6. Confirm the removal process and restart the device for the changes to become effective.

14] Uninstall Programs with Same Features

Each and every program in Windows has its own set of features and having more than one installed on the system causes conflicts. PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL is not an exception as the applications have the same functionalities. So to avoid such situations, it is best to remove those apps and prevent software collision using these steps –

  1. Launch the Run dialog, insert appwiz.cpl in the text field. Click OK to access Programs and Features window.
  2. Locate and select apps with similar features. Right-click on the programs one by one and hit Uninstall.
  3. Follow the guidelines of the applications to remove them including their settings. For better outcomes, reboot the device.

15] Update BIOS to Resolve PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL

An outdated BIOS always welcomes unwanted conflicts in the system including BSOD error like PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL. As it is an integral part of the OS, being obsolete is something that a user will not bear. It is a firmware that carries out hardware initiation when the device is booting. So to avoid computers from such conditions, keeping it up to date is always recommended. Observe these guidelines to update BIOS right away –

  1. Perform a right-click on Start icon and choose Run.
  2. In the text field, insert msinfo32 and click OK.
  3. Once you see System Information page on the screen, search for BIOS version.
  4. Note down its model number and the current version.
  5. Now, access any web page and visit manufacturer’s site. Input the model number and locate the latest version. Download and install the file manually to prevent BSODs.

16] Do a System Restore

PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL can also be a result of some new software or program that is installed on the system. Whenever a new app is installed, it changes Windows registry and in certain cases, they are not compatible with the operating system.

Therefore it is always best to revert back the system to a state when everything was functioning normally. This is possible with System Restore, a tool in Windows that takes back the device to its last normal condition. See the steps below to execute this task –

  1. Hit Winlogo+S keys to launch taskbar search box, type rstrui and hit Enter.
  2. On the System restore wizard, go ahead with Show more restore points.
  3. Select the latest created point and click Next.
  4. To start restoring procedure, click Finish.

Hopefully, with the above-listed workarounds, the PCI_BUS_DRIVER_INTERNAL is resolved. More tips are welcome, just drop them in the comments section below.

Methods:
1] Run System File Checker Tool
2] Update Obsolete Drivers
3] Perform a Full PC Scan
4] Disconnect Unwanted Hardware Accessories
5] Use DISM Tool, the in-built command-line utility
6] Run Online or Offline Blue Screen Troubleshooter
7] Check for Windows Update
8] Repair Memory Problems
9] Wipeout Junk Files
10] Repair Bad Areas in Hard Disk
11] Disable Unnecessary Services and Startup Programs
12] Carry out an Automatic Repair
13] Uninstall Defective Windows Update Files
14] Uninstall Programs with Same Features
15] Update BIOS
16] Do a System Restore

That’s all!!

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Topics:  Windows
  
About Sunita
Love to play with Windows 11 and 10. Suggestion - Going for Registry change or system files edit then remember to take a backup or create a restore point before Starting.