[FIXED] How to Fix HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED in Windows 10?

While facing the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error can be scary, you should worry not. From updating drivers to tweaking system settings, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of fixes to tackle this issue.

Imagine putting your sweet little laptop or PC to sleep mode for the night only to get the “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” error waking it up in the morning. It might sound dreadful, but it’s not the end of the world. This Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error is not uncommon and can be caused by various factors, from outdated drivers to a damaged HDD and beyond.

By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to fix both the Windows 11 and Windows 10 “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error, so you can finally breathe out and enjoy your computer running smoothly again.

What May Cause “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” on Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Before diving into the solutions to fix the “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” error, it’s important to know what can trigger it. Here are a few major reasons:

Before diving into the solutions to fix the “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” error, it’s important to know what can trigger it. Here are a few major reasons:

• Corrupted, outdated, or incorrectly configured drivers.
• Damaged system files.
• Malware infection.
• Corrupted or damaged hard disk.

Now that you know the possible reasons behind the problem, let’s explore methods to fix the “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” error.

Method 1: Update your graphics card driver

A lot of BSOD errors, including “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED,” can be caused by software or hardware incompatibility. In our case it could be due to the corrupted or outdated graphics card driver. So the first step should be to try and update it.

You can do this manually or use reliable third-party software to automate the process. Here’s how to update a graphics card driver manually:

• Right-click on Start and select “Device Manager.”
• Locate your graphics card under “Display adapters,” right-click on it, and select “Update driver.”
• In the next window, select “Search automatically for drivers.”

• If you have more than one graphics card, repeat the same steps for each.

Another way to manually update a graphics card is to download it directly from the manufacturer.

However, the first way doesn’t guarantee that you will download the latest version of the driver, while the second one can be complicated and time-consuming, as you might need to scour through manufacturers’ websites and several installers to find the latest compatible version for your system.

That’s why we recommend using Auslogics Driver Updater. With a click of a button, this reliable tool recognizes the operating system running on your computer. It will automatically search for the latest official compatible drivers, preventing you from mistakenly installing the wrong version.

What’s more, Auslogics Driver Updater will take care of all faulty or outdated drivers—not just the one related to the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error. So, once the process is complete, you can expect a significant improvement in the speed and performance of your computer.

Also Read: How to Check if My Drivers Are Up to Date on Windows 10 PC?

Method 2: Set “useplatformclock” to “true”

Another way to get rid of the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error is to set “useplatformclock” to “true.” Follow these steps to implement the fix:

• Click the Search icon.
• Type “cmd” (no quotes).
• Right-click the Command Prompt option, then click on Run as administrator.
• If prompted, grant permission to the app by clicking Yes.
• In the Command Prompt, type “bcdedit /set useplatformclock true” (no quotes).
• Check whether “useplatformclock” is set to “true” by typing “bcdedit /enum” (no quotes). You should see “Yes” on the right to “useplatformclock.”

Another way to get rid of the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error is to set “useplatformclock” to “true.” Follow these steps to implement the fix:

• Click the Search icon.
• Type “cmd” (no quotes).
• Right-click the Command Prompt option, then click on Run as administrator.
• If prompted, grant permission to the app by clicking Yes.
• In the Command Prompt, type “bcdedit /set useplatformclock true” (no quotes).
• Check whether “useplatformclock” is set to “true” by typing “bcdedit /enum” (no quotes). You should see “Yes” on the right to “useplatformclock.”

• Restart your PC to check whether the problem has been resolved.

Note: If the error prevents you from accessing your OS, perform these steps in Safe Mode with Networking.

This method works perfectly for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.

Method 3: Clean junk files

Junk files could have piled up on your system causing the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error. Here’s how to clean them:

• Click the Search icon.
• Type “disk cleanup” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
• Choose the drive to clean and wait for the app to calculate the amount of space you can free up.
• Select Temporary Files and any other file types you wish to clean.
• Click OK, restart your computer, and check if the error has been resolved.

Further Reading: How to Delete Temporary Files from Windows 10 PCs

Method 4: Check if your hard disk is corrupted

HDD corruption is among the main reasons behind the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error. Here’s how to check it:

• Click the Search icon, type “cmd” (no quotes).
• Right-click the Command Prompt option, then click on Run as administrator.
• If prompted, grant permission to the app by clicking Yes.
• Now, type “chkdsk /f” (no quotes) in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter.

• If prompted to restart, press Y and Enter.
• After completion, restart your computer and check if the error has been fixed.

This method will suit both Windows 10 and Windows 11 OS users.

Further Reading: How to Run Hard Drive Diagnostics on Windows PC?

Method 5: Check for malware

Malware also could be the cause of the “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” error. Consider using Auslogics Anti-Malware, a reputable tool that can work alongside your primary antivirus software, protecting your computer from potential threats and preventing malware from infecting your system.

Related: Signs of Malware: How to Know if Your Computer is Infected

Method 6: Run BSOD troubleshooter

Here’s how to fix the Windows 10 “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error by running the BSOD troubleshooter:

• Open Settings and navigate to “Update & Security.”
• Select “Troubleshoot” from the options on the left.
• Now, search for “Blue Screen” under “Find and fix other problems,” and then click on “Run the troubleshooter.”
• Follow the on-screen instructions. Once the troubleshooter is done, check if the error has been resolved.

If you need to troubleshoot “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED” on Windows 11, then go to Settings, locate the “Get help” link on the bottom right side, type “Troubleshoot BSOD error,” and follow the prompts on the screen.

Method 7: Run the System File Checker

Another possible reason triggering both the Windows 11 and Windows 10 “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error is corrupted system files. Run the System File Checker to scan for and repair them:

• Run the Command Prompt as administrator as described previously.
• Once accessed the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
• Allow the tool to complete the check. This may take some time.
• Restart your PC to check if the error is gone.

Method 8: Reinstall Windows

If all else fails, the last resort to fix the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error is to reinstall your Windows system. Be mindful though, as this action will wipe out all data from your computer. Make sure to explore our guides on creating and using a media creation tool and restoring Windows to have a full understanding of the procedure.

Related: Windows 10 Backup Guide: Backing Up to an External Hard Drive

Conclusion

While facing the “HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED” error is definitely disturbing, this article provides you with all the tools to fix it. Whether it’s updating drivers, cleaning up your system, or scanning for malware, the methods outlined above aim to restore your system’s stability.

Try them out and share your success story or additional insights in the comments below to help others facing a similar challenge.