BAD_POOL_HEADER — Causes & Fix
Windows Stop code 0x00000019 (BAD_POOL_HEADER) means a memory-pool header is corrupt — a driver damaged a block of kernel memory it was using.
- Applies to
- Any Windows PC
- Time to fix
- 30 minutes – 2 hours
What it means
Causes include a faulty driver, corrupt RAM, or occasionally disk/file-system corruption. This is a Windows Stop error (a "bugcheck" / blue screen) documented by Microsoft. The blue screen shows this code; more detail sits in the crash dump (%SystemRoot%\Minidump), which usually names the specific driver or component at fault — a free tool like BlueScreenView or WinDbg can read it.
Symptoms
- Blue screen citing BAD_POOL_HEADER
- Crashes under load or with certain devices
How to fix it
- 1
Update recent drivers
1. Update or roll back drivers changed around when the crashes started.
- 2
Test RAM and run SFC
1. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic. 2. Run "sfc /scannow" and "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth".
Frequently asked questions
Is BAD_POOL_HEADER a RAM or driver problem?
Either — a driver corrupting kernel memory, or genuinely bad RAM. Test memory and update the driver named in the dump.
Last updated July 20, 2026
Guidance only — always consult a qualified professional or the official service manual before carrying out repairs.