SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD: How to Fix It

The BSoD is typically related to your system drivers

by Afam Onyimadu
Afam Onyimadu
Afam Onyimadu
Editor
Afam is a geek and the go-to among his peers for computer solutions. He has a wealth of experience with Windows operating systems, dating back to his introduction... read more
Updated on
Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • You would need to boot in Safe Mode to apply some of the solutions in this guide.
  • This can be caused by corrupt or outdated drivers or incompatible system hardware.
XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
Try Outbyte Driver Updater to resolve driver issues entirely: This software will simplify the process by both searching and updating your drivers to prevent various malfunctions and enhance your PC stability. Check all your drivers now in 3 easy steps:
  1. Download Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. Launch it on your PC to find all the problematic drivers.
  3. Afterward, Click Update & Apply Selected to get the latest driver versions.
  • OutByte Driver Updater has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

BSoD errors are among the most alarming on a Windows computer. So, we understand the panic when many of our readers reach out to us after encountering the SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD. We will show you some of the best solutions in this guide.

You may also consider reading up on similar errors, like the BSoD error 0x00000154 on Windows 11.

What causes the SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD?

The error can be caused by any one of the following:

  • Corrupt or outdated system or component drivers.
  • Incompatible or malfunctioning hardware.
  • Bad or damaged system files.
  • Bad sectors on the hard drive.

We often recommend using specialized bad sector repair tools to avoid certain system complications.

How do I fix SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED?

We recommend the following workaround before trying other solutions:

  • Scan your computer for viruses.

If the problem persists after a scan, you may proceed to the detailed fixes below.

Note icon NOTE
Note that you may first have to boot into Safe Mode before applying most of the solutions in this guide.

1. Update system drivers

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
  2. If you have any categories with a yellow badge, you may have to expand them, right-click on the driver and select Update driver.
    SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers.
    SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED
  4. Follow the instructions to update the driver, perform the steps for as many drivers as possible, and verify if it fixes the SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD.

Updating your system drivers manually can be tricky if you’re not tech-savvy enough to search for the proper device version.

Fortunately for the users, there are tailor-made driver applications developed to update any PC drivers securely and much faster.

Sometimes, malfunctioning drivers can cause multiple system errors. If this happens to your PC, you may need to update or reinstall certain drivers entirely. As the process is not quite straightforward, we recommend using a reliable driver updater for the job. Here's how to do it:
  1. Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. Launch the software.
  3. Wait for the app to detect all faulty drivers.
    OutByte Driver Updater Scan
  4. Now, it will show you all the malfunctioning drivers listed to select the ones to Update or Ignore.
  5. Click on Update & Apply Selected to download and install the newest versions.
  6. Restart your PC to ensure the applied changes.
Outbyte Driver Updater

Outbyte Driver Updater

Secure your Windows PC with Outbyte from various errors caused by problematic drivers.
Free trial Download now
Disclaimer: this program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.

2. Run a CHKDSK scan

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
  3. Type the command below, and hit Enter.
    chkdsk /f /r
    SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED
  4. Once completed, verify if it fixes the SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD.

3. Run file repair scans

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
  3. Type the command below, and hit Enter.
    sfc /scannow
    SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED
  4. Once complete, input the command below and hit Enter.
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED
  5. Finally, restart the computer and verify it fixes the SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED error.

4. Roll back your drivers

Note icon NOTE
Note that this step may only be needed if the BSoD started occurring after a new driver was installed or updated.
  1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the category for the recently installed or updated driver and double-click on the driver.
    SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED
  3. Click the Driver tab and select the Roll Back Driver button.
  4. Select any reason for rolling back from the options and click Yes. Now you may verify if the fix works.

That is as far as we discuss in this article. The SESSION1 INITIALIZATION FAILED error is one of the less complex BSoDs.

You may also consider using system restore. However, this would work only if you created a system restore point before the error started. We have a guide that shows you how to create a restore point in Windows 11.

Don’t hesitate to contact us using the comment section, and let us know if you successfully used any of these solutions.

Still experiencing troubles? Fix them with this tool:

SPONSORED

Some driver-related issues can be solved faster by using a tailored driver solution. If you're still having problems with your drivers, simply install OutByte Driver Updater and get it up and running immediately. Thus, let it update all drivers and fix other PC issues in no time!

This article covers:Topics: