Attempted Write Read Only Memory: 7 Fixes for BSOD 0x000000BE

Your screen suddenly goes blue, and the cryptic error "ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY" appears. Before you panic, know that this is a common Windows error with a clear path to resolution. This guide breaks down exactly what it means and how to fix it.

I've spent the better part of 15 years troubleshooting Windows stop errors, and I can tell you this one shows up more often than most people think. The good news? It's rarely catastrophic. The bad news? It can be caused by everything from a sloppy driver update to failing RAM, which means you need a systematic approach rather than guesswork.

This guide walks you through seven proven fixes for the attempted write read only memory error on Windows 10 and 11, starting with the simplest software solutions and progressing to hardware diagnostics. By the end, you'll know exactly what's causing your crash and how to stop it for good.

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What Does 'Attempted Write to Read Only Memory' Mean?

The Technical Definition of Stop Code 0x000000BE

Let's strip away the jargon. Your computer's memory manager acts like a strict librarian. It assigns certain memory pages as "read-only" — meaning they can be viewed but not modified. This is a deliberate write protection mechanism designed to prevent data corruption and maintain system stability.

When a driver or process tries to write to one of these protected pages, the system slams the brakes and triggers a Blue Screen of Death with stop code 0x000000BE. Think of it like trying to write on a printed page with a pen — the paper is already set, and any scribbling would ruin the content underneath.

The BSOD screen often includes the name of the offending driver, which is your first clue about what went wrong. If you see something like BEDaisy.sys or ntoskrnl.exe listed, that's your starting point.

Is This Error a Virus or a Sign of Hardware Failure?

Here's the thing: the error itself isn't a virus. It's a protective mechanism — Windows is doing exactly what it's supposed to do by shutting down before something gets corrupted. But that doesn't mean the underlying cause can't be malicious.

In my experience, the culprits fall into three categories:

1. Faulty or outdated drivers — This accounts for roughly 60-70% of cases I've handled. A driver that was recently updated or installed incorrectly can easily attempt to write to protected memory.
2. Incompatible software — Antivirus tools, system utilities, and even some games install kernel-level services that can conflict with memory management. This is maybe 20% of cases.
3. Hardware problems — Failing RAM is the primary suspect here, accounting for the remaining 10-20%. This is the one you really need to rule out, because it won't fix itself.

The tricky part? The symptoms look identical regardless of the cause. That's why you need to work through the fixes systematically rather than jumping to conclusions.

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How to Fix the Write to Read Only Memory Error on Windows 10 & 11

Fix 1: Boot into Safe Mode to Break the Crash Loop

If your system is crashing repeatedly, you need to stabilize it before you can fix anything. Safe Mode loads only the essential drivers, which means the problematic one won't be active.

Here's how to get there:

1. Windows 10: Click Start → Power → hold Shift while clicking Restart. Your system will reboot into the Advanced Startup Options menu.
2. Windows 11: Same process — Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced Startup → Restart now.

Once you're in the blue menu, navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart. After the reboot, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.

If your system boots successfully in Safe Mode, you've confirmed that a third-party driver or service is causing the issue. Now you can proceed with the other fixes without the system crashing mid-step.

Fix 2: Update or Roll Back Problematic Device Drivers

This is the fix that resolves the majority of cases. In my experience, graphics drivers and network adapters are the most common offenders, but storage controllers and chipset drivers can also trigger the error.

Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the menu. Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark — those are your prime suspects.

For each suspect:

• Update: Right-click → Update Driver → Search automatically for drivers.
• Roll Back: If the error started after a recent driver update, right-click → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver.

One specific case worth mentioning: BEDaisy.sys is a driver associated with certain anti-cheat systems and virtualization software. If you see this in your error details, check if you have any game anti-cheat or security software that needs updating or reinstallation.

Alternatively, you can let Windows Update handle driver updates automatically. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced Options → Optional Updates, and install any driver updates listed there.

Fix 3: Uninstall Recently Installed Software

Sometimes the problem isn't a driver at all — it's an application that installed a kernel-level service or driver as part of its setup. Antivirus suites and system optimization tools are the usual suspects here, but I've also seen this happen with gaming overlays and even some VPN clients.

Think back to when the error first appeared. What did you install in the days before? Uninstall that software via Settings → Apps → Installed apps, then restart your system.

If you're not sure which application is causing the problem, perform a clean boot:

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," then click "Disable all."
3. Go to the Startup tab and click "Open Task Manager."
4. Disable all startup items, then restart.

If the error disappears, re-enable services and startup items in batches until you find the culprit.

Fix 4: Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

If software fixes haven't resolved the issue, it's time to question your hardware. The built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a good starting point.

Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter. You'll see two options: restart now and check for problems, or check on the next restart. Choose whichever works for you — the system will reboot and run a memory test that takes about 20-30 minutes.

When it finishes, your system restarts and shows the results. If errors are found, that's a strong indication of a physical RAM problem. But here's the catch: this tool isn't as thorough as I'd like. It can miss intermittent issues, which is why I recommend a more comprehensive test if this comes back clean but the error persists.

Fix 5: Check the System Event Log for the Faulting Driver

Windows keeps a detailed record of everything that happens on your system, including crashes. The Event Viewer can tell you exactly which driver caused the BSOD.

Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Windows Logs → System, then look for Critical or Error events around the time of your crash. The source will typically be "BugCheck" or "Kernel-Power."

Double-click the event to see the details. You're looking for something like:

The computer has rebooted from a bugcheck. The bugcheck was: 0x000000be (0xffffc1401719c5e8, 0x8a00000000800121, 0xffffce0eb98b6820, 0x000000000000000a). A dump was saved in: C:\Windows\Minidump\121624-9265-01.dmp.

The first parameter after the stop code often contains the address of the faulting driver, but it's not always easy to decode. For a clearer picture, you'll want to analyze the minidump file itself — which I'll cover in the diagnostics section below.

Fix 6: Use Diskpart to Clear Read-Only Attributes on External Drives

This fix addresses a related but distinct issue: write protection on USB drives and SD cards. While this won't cause the 0x000000BE BSOD, it's a common problem that shares the "read-only" theme, and many users searching for this error are actually dealing with a write-protected storage device.

If your USB drive or SD card is showing as read-only, here's how to fix it:

1. Press Win + R, type diskpart, and press Enter.
2. Type list disk and press Enter to see all connected drives.
3. Type select disk X (replace X with the number of your external drive) and press Enter.
4. Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter.

⚠️ WARNING: This is a destructive command if you select the wrong disk. Double-check that you've selected the correct drive number before proceeding. I've seen users accidentally clear attributes on their system drive, which can cause boot problems.

If diskpart doesn't work, check for a physical lock switch on the side of your SD card or USB drive. Many cards have a tiny slider that toggles write protection — if it's in the locked position, no software fix will help.

Fix 7: Check for BIOS/UEFI Updates and Disable Memory Caching

Outdated firmware can cause all sorts of memory management issues, including this error. Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for BIOS/UEFI updates.

⚠️ NOTE: Updating BIOS carries some risk. If the update fails or you lose power during the process, you could brick your motherboard. Only attempt this if you're comfortable with the process, and follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.

As a temporary test, you can also try disabling memory caching or shadowing in your BIOS settings. These options are usually found under Advanced → Memory Configuration or similar. Disabling them can help isolate whether the issue is related to how your system handles memory caching.

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How to Diagnose a Failing RAM Module vs. a Driver Issue

Using MemTest86 for Advanced Memory Testing

The built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic is fine for a quick check, but when I need to be certain about RAM health, I use MemTest86. It's the industry standard for memory testing and far more thorough than Microsoft's tool.

Here's how to use it:

1. Download MemTest86 from the official website (memtest86.com) — the free version is sufficient.
2. Use the included ImageUSB tool to create a bootable USB drive.
3. Restart your system and boot from the USB drive.
4. Let the test run for at least 4-6 passes (this can take several hours).

If MemTest86 finds errors, your RAM is faulty. Period. There's no software fix for this — you need to replace the affected module.

One thing I've learned from experience: test each RAM stick individually. Remove all but one stick, run the test, then swap. This tells you exactly which module is failing, which saves you from replacing good hardware.

Analyzing the Minidump File (.dmp) for the Exact Cause

The minidump file is the definitive answer to the software vs. hardware question. These files are stored in C:\Windows\Minidump and contain a snapshot of what was happening when the crash occurred.

To analyze them, I recommend BlueScreenView from NirSoft. It's free, portable, and shows you exactly which driver was responsible for the crash.

Download BlueScreenView, run it, and it will automatically scan your Minidump folder. The top pane shows a list of crashes; the bottom pane shows the drivers that were loaded at the time. Look for the driver listed in the "Caused By" column — that's your culprit.

If you see ntoskrnl.exe as the cause, that's a bit of a red herring. It's the Windows kernel, and it's often listed as the cause even when the real problem is a third-party driver or hardware issue. In that case, look at the other drivers in the list — especially any that aren't Microsoft-signed.

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How to Fix the 'Read Only File System' Error in Linux and Android

Remounting the File System as Read-Write in Linux

The linux read only file system error is a different beast from the Windows BSOD, but it shares the same underlying concept: the system is preventing writes to a protected area.

In Linux, this usually happens when the file system detects errors and remounts itself as read-only to prevent further data corruption. Here's how to fix it:

First, check your current mount options:

mount | grep " / "

If it shows ro (read-only), you need to remount it as read-write:

sudo mount -o remount,rw /

This works for the root partition. For other partitions, replace / with the appropriate mount point.

If the remount fails, the file system likely has errors that need fixing. Run:

sudo fsck -f /dev/sdX

Replace /dev/sdX with your actual partition (check lsblk to find it). You'll need to unmount the partition first, which means booting from a live USB if it's your root partition.

Fixing a Read-Only File System on Android (Without Root)

Android's /system partition is read-only by design — it's a security measure that prevents malicious apps from modifying system files. You shouldn't try to change this unless you have a specific reason.

If you're dealing with a read-only SD card on Android, the fix is the same as on Windows: check for a physical lock switch, then use a card reader connected to a computer to clear the write protection using diskpart or a similar tool.

⚠️ WARNING: Rooting your Android device to modify the system partition is risky. It voids your warranty, can brick your device, and exposes you to security vulnerabilities. I don't recommend it for average users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 'attempted_write_to_readonly_memory' error mean in Windows 10?

It means a driver or program tried to write to a protected memory area that Windows had marked as read-only. This triggered a Blue Screen of Death with stop code 0x000000BE to prevent system damage. It's a protective mechanism, not a virus — but it indicates an underlying issue that needs fixing.

Is Blue Screen of Death serious?

A single BSOD can be a fluke — maybe a one-time driver hiccup or a power glitch. But recurring BSODs are a serious sign that something is wrong with your software or hardware. If you're seeing this error more than once, don't ignore it. Work through the fixes in this guide, and if nothing helps, seek professional assistance.

How do I remove write protection from a USB drive or SD card?

First, check for a physical lock switch on the side of the card or drive. If that's not the issue, use the diskpart command to clear the read-only attribute: open Command Prompt as administrator, type diskpart, then list disk, select disk X, and attributes disk clear readonly. If diskpart fails, you can try editing the registry, but that's a last resort.

What is the difference between 'attempted write to read only memory' and 'attempted execute of noexecute memory'?

Both are memory protection violations, but they involve different actions. The first error (0x000000BE) occurs when a driver tries to write to a read-only memory page. The second error (0xFC) occurs when a program tries to execute code from a non-executable (NoExecute) memory page. Think of it this way: one is trying to scribble on a protected document, the other is trying to run a program from a location where programs aren't allowed to run.

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Conclusion

The attempted write read only memory error can feel intimidating, but it's almost always fixable. In my years of troubleshooting, I've seen this resolved by everything from a simple driver rollback to a RAM replacement — and the key is always the same: work through the fixes systematically.

Start with the software solutions: Safe Mode, driver updates, software uninstalls. If those don't work, move to hardware diagnostics: Windows Memory Diagnostic, MemTest86, minidump analysis. Most users will find their solution in the first few steps.

If you've successfully fixed the error, share your experience in the comments below to help other users. If you're still stuck, download our free system diagnostic tool to quickly identify the problematic driver.