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0x00000036BSODCritical

0x00000036 — Device Reference Count not Zero | Blue Screen Fix Guide

DEVICE_REFERENCE_COUNT_NOT_ZERO

Windows XPWindows VistaWindows 7Windows 8Windows 10Windows 11

What Does 0x00000036 Mean?

A device object was being deleted while its reference count was not zero.

Real-World Causes

  1. 1Driver not properly dereferencing device objects
  2. 2Driver unload bug
  3. 3Race condition in device removal

Symptoms

  • ⚠Blue screen with stop code DEVICE_REFERENCE_COUNT_NOT_ZERO
  • ⚠System reboots unexpectedly
  • ⚠Possible data loss from unsaved work

DIY Fix

Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home

  1. 1Restart your computer
  2. 2Update or roll back recently installed drivers
  3. 3Run System File Checker (sfc /scannow)
  4. 4Check Windows Update for driver updates

Advanced Fix

For experienced users and IT professionals

  1. 1Analyze crash dump with WinDbg
  2. 2Run Driver Verifier to isolate faulty driver
  3. 3Use Safe Mode to uninstall problematic drivers
  4. 4Check Event Viewer for related errors

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes DEVICE_REFERENCE_COUNT_NOT_ZERO?
A device object was being deleted while its reference count was not zero.
Can I fix Device Reference Count not Zero myself?
In many cases yes. Start with basic troubleshooting like restarting, updating drivers, and running System File Checker. If the issue persists, advanced analysis of crash dumps may be needed.

Related Error Codes

0x0000002AInconsistent IRP0x000000CEDriver Unloaded Without Cancelling Pending Operations

About the Author

Windows Troubleshooting Team

Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.