Is there a sudden BSOD loop using an SSD, yet the PC starts properly from an HDD?
Is there a sudden BSOD loop using an SSD, yet the PC starts properly from an HDD?
Hi,
I've been using Windows 11 on my SSD for a whole year without any BSODs. Yesterday everything seemed normal, but today after powering it on for the first time I encountered a BSOD loop: "CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED" – the moment the screen displays the warning. I tried all standard troubleshooting steps (SFC, DISM, etc.) but didn’t succeed. I performed a full format and a clean installation on the SSD, yet the issue persisted after the first reboot. Then I switched to installing Windows on my HDD, which worked perfectly. I backed up data from the SSD without any problems. The SSD health reports at 100% (Hard Disk Sentinel) and CMD commands showed no errors. The SSD appears to be in good condition, but Windows won’t boot from it. Any suggestions?
Windows version: both the one installed before the problem and the one I burned into the flash drive for a second installation were Windows 11 Pro 24H2 with the latest updates.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel i5-8400
- CPU cooler: stock cooler
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B360M DS3H
- SSD: HP EX920 (the problematic one)
- HDD: WD (functioning)
- RAM: 16GB-2400 (Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 8GB DDR4-2400 + G.Skill Ripjaws V 8GB DDR4-2400)
- GPU: Gigabyte Gaming OC 4070 Super
- PSU: Antec NeoECO Series NE850G M 850W (purchased about a year ago)
- Chassis: Unknown brand
- Monitor: MSI Optix MAG241C
- BIOS version: F19 (installed Jan 10, 2024)
Thanks!
i5-8400 with Gigabyte B360M DS3H
SSD: HP EX920 (problem)
HDD: WD (normal)
When sharing troubleshooting threads, include full system details as requested. List components clearly:
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Add PSU age and current BIOS version for your motherboard.
Performed a full format and clean install on SSD — same BSOD after first reboot.
Did you recreate the bootable USB installer for your OS to check for corruption? Also, did you install the OS in offline mode, installing all drivers manually with the latest versions in an elevated command?
Installed Windows on HDD instead — no issues.
This suggests the SSD may not contain critical data. Would you like to move the SSD to another device and reinstall the OS? If the problem persists during OS installation on a donor system, your SSD or its storage controller might be faulty.
I updated the post with the necessary details.
The Windows image was downloaded from Microsoft's site (last updated on 06/07/2025) and written to the USB using Rufus. The same image was installed on the HDD without issues, but not on the SSD.
During installation, I encounter crashes when the system restarts after the first launch, even though I install it without an internet connection.
On the installation window, there is an option to use a different interface. After completing the process and restarting once, it triggers another BSOD.
This is the older installation interface I mentioned.
The standard installation interface also crashes on the first restart when around 70% complete, showing this error.
I only have one other PC to test this.
What I’m unsure about is why everything worked perfectly for a long time, and just before the problem started, there were no updates—no Windows updates, no driver updates, no software installations or file downloads—then everything turned off and came back on the next day with this issue.