Windows 0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH Error

In many cases, you will certainly experience STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH blue screen errors after you’ve installed new hardware or software application. These STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH blue screens could show up at the time of program installation, while a Microsoft Corporation-related software application (eg. Windows Operating System) is running, while a Windows driver is being loaded, or during Windows start-up or shutdown.

This error may show up as a result of a fatal error in a driver or in a system file. Additionally, the reason behind this occurrence could lay in the dissimilarity of system file header checksum with the supposed checksum value. Hence, your computer system crashes and you come across BSOD (blue screen of death) screen.

Fixing STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH Error

Method 1: Emergency Repair Disk (ERD)

This method must work when no other alternatives work– troubleshooting, Automatic Windows Repair, and so on. Remember that this function does not replace regular backups. So when you get back full control of the computer, routinely back up your important files. How to create Emergency Repaid disk and use, check various other resources.

Method 2: Check and Repair Disk Errors

Disk errors might be either caused by corrupted software or damaged hardware.

When Computer not Working:

• Remove the hard disk from the current computer and insert them in another device.
• Navigate to Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• Type Chkdsk/f/r. Reboot the system to start the scan process.

When Computer is Working:

• Press Windows Key on the keyboard.
• Type CMD
• Do right click on CMD and click on Run as Administrator.
• Type Chkdsk/f/r. Reboot the system to start the scan process.

Method 3: Checking ROM Compatibility

• Set the default RAM settings.
• Launch Recovery Console to get to the partition where the paging file is.
• Delete pagefile.sys file.
• While Recovery Console is till open, run Chkdsk /r on the partition with the paging file.
• Reboot the system.
• Set the paging file to an optimal level depending on RAM added size.
• Turn off the system and add the new RAM.

Method 4: Clean Out Your System Junk with Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr)

• Click the Start button.
• Type “cmd” in the search box.
• Right click on it and choose ‘Run As Administrator’ option.
• You will be prompted with a permission dialog box, Click Yes.
• A black box will open with a blinking cursor.
• Type “cleanmgr” and hit ENTER.
• Disk Cleanup will begin calculating how much occupied disk space you can reclaim.
• The Disk Cleanup dialog box will appear with series of checkboxes you can select. In most cases, the “Temporary Files” category will occupy the most disk space.
• Check the boxes of the categories you want to clean and click OK.

Method 5: Re-install the Operating System

This will be your final option in resolving STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH problem. Reinstalling Windows will erase everything from your hard drive, allowing you to start again with a fresh system.