Share this article

Improve this guide

Reference by Pointer BSoD Error: 4 Simple Methods to Fix it

Reference by Pointer BSoD can be usually fixed in Safe Mode

4 min. read

Updated onMarch 22, 2024

updated onMarch 22, 2024

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

Blue Screen of Death errorsshouldn’t be taken lightly since hardware problems often cause them. One is the Rreference_by_pointer BSoD error (also known as MSDN bugcheck reference_by_pointer 0x00000018).

This error can be a nuisance on Windows 10, but fortunately, there are a few ways to solve it, as we will show in this guide.

What causes reference by Pointer BSOD?

Like other BSOD, the reference_by_pointer blue screen error is mainly caused by hardware issues. Below are some of the known causes:

How do I fix the reference_by_pointer error?

There are some prerequisite troubleshooting steps you need to try before proceeding to the solutions in this section:

If these do not work, you now apply the fixes below:

1. Run the CHKDSK command

The prominent cause of the reference_by_pointer (18) error issues with some partitions on the C: drive. Running the CHKDSK command has fixed this for many users and should help you too.

2. Repair system files

Since the reference_by_pointer ntoskrnl.exe error is a BSOD issue, you cannot rule out the possibility of broken system files. However, running the commands above should fix this and restore regular service.

You should still run the DISM command even if the SFC scan fails. However, you can now rerun SFC after DISM finishes.

To remove any uncertainty, it is advised to use aspecialized BSODfixer to prevent further errors and system issues from occurring.

3. Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

Another known cause of the reference_by_pointer error is problems with your RAM. Again, the Windows Memory Diagnostic is ideally placed to fix these issues.

If the tool does not work, you can employ a third-party tool inMemTest86.

4. Remove problematic software

After your PC restarts, check if your computer is stable. If there are no BSOD errors, the error was caused by one of the installed applications.

Now, you need to find the problematic application. To do that, you need to enable the applications in batches and check the one that brings the error again.

Then, all you need to do is to remove it using a top-notch uninstaller in CCleaner. This should restore normalcy on your PC. This solution has primarily helped fix the reference_by_pointer blue screen on Dell.

We have come to the end of this guide with this solution. The reference_by_pointer BSOD error can be problematic, but we hope you fix it with one of these solutions.

If you are facing other BSOD errors likesystem exception on Windows 10, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

Reference by Pointer BSoD Error: 4 Simple Methods to Fix it#

What causes reference by Pointer BSOD?#

How do I fix the reference_by_pointer error?#

1. Run the CHKDSK command#

2. Repair system files#

3. Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool#

4. Remove problematic software#