Crashing the Connection: How to Fix BSOD 0x000000CF – TERMINAL_SERVER_DRIVER_MADE_INCORRECT_MEMORY_REFERENCE

What Is BSOD Error 0x000000CF?

BSOD error 0x000000CF, with the message "TERMINAL_SERVER_DRIVER_MADE_INCORRECT_MEMORY_REFERENCE", is a Windows stop codetriggered when a device driver attempts to access memory incorrectly in a Terminal Server (Remote Desktop Services) environment. This error indicates that the driver was improperly ported to a terminal server scenario and is referencing memory in a way that is not supported in multi-user sessions.

Essentially, it’s a driver compatibility issue, often related to legacy or misconfigured drivers that are not designed to work in Terminal Services environments.

Key Causes of Error 0x000000CF

1. Incompatible or Poorly Ported Drivers
   
   • A driver has been written or modified incorrectly for Terminal Services.
   • Common in third-party print drivers or remote-access tools.
2. Misconfigured Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
   
   • Improper RDS setup or unsupported driver interactions with session memory.
3. Faulty Kernel-Mode Components
   
   • Drivers attempting to access memory not mapped to them in the RDS memory model.
4. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers
   
   • Especially in virtual environments using shared drivers.
5. Improper Use of Memory Reference APIs
   
   • Code in the driver misuses memory reference calls (like MmGetSystemAddressForMdlSafe).
6. Conflicting Software
   
   • Endpoint security tools, remote administration software, or thin client systems misbehaving.

Symptoms of This BSOD

• Sudden system crashes during or after login via Remote Desktop.
• Crashes when using remote printers or other redirected devices.
• Blue screen displaying:
  "TERMINAL_SERVER_DRIVER_MADE_INCORRECT_MEMORY_REFERENCE"
• Windows becoming unbootable in multi-user or remote session mode.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix BSOD 0x000000CF

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

If you're stuck in a BSOD loop, you need to access Safe Mode:

1. Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
2. Navigate to:
   Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Press F4 to enable Safe Mode.

Step 2: Identify the Faulty Driver

Use tools like:

• BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed to check crash dump files.
• Check for the driver name (.sys) mentioned in the dump.

Step 3: Update or Remove Faulty Drivers

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.
2. Find and right-click the suspicious device → Update driver.
3. If the error persists, try:
   
   • Uninstalling the device.
   • Rolling back to a previous version.

Common culprits:

• Printer drivers
• Audio and video redirection drivers
• USB redirector drivers

Step 4: Disable Problematic Services

Some services don’t play well with Terminal Server environments:

• Press Win + R, type msconfig, go to Services tab.
• Hide Microsoft services.
• Disable anything related to remote management or untrusted third-party vendors.

Step 5: Replace or Patch Incompatible Drivers

If you determine the faulty driver:

• Visit the manufacturer’s website.
• Look for Terminal Server-compatible or Citrix/RDS-certified versions.
• Replace the .inf or .sys files with updated ones if necessary.

Step 6: Windows Updates

Ensure you're fully updated:

• Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates

Updated Windows versions patch memory reference handling and improve RDS compatibility.

Step 7: Run System File Checker

To ensure there are no corrupted Windows files:

sfc /scannow

Also, run DISM:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 8: Test Memory and Hardware

Corrupted memory can also cause invalid references:

• Run Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86.

Advanced Debugging (For IT Admins)

If you want to deep dive:

• Analyze memory dump with WinDbg.
• Look for parameters passed to:
  nt!KeBugCheckEx
• Use commands like:
  !analyze -v
  or
  lmvm <driver_name>

This gives insights into exactly which module caused the crash and why.

Prevention Tips

1. Use Only Terminal Services-Certified Drivers
   
   • Avoid generic or outdated drivers for redirected hardware.
2. Test Drivers in a Lab Environment
   
   • Especially in virtualized or multi-session systems.
3. Use Group Policy to Limit Driver Installation
   
   • Prevent unauthorized driver changes via:
     Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation
4. Monitor Event Viewer Regularly
   
   • Check for warnings or errors under: Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → TerminalServices-LocalSessionManager
5. Avoid Unnecessary Third-Party Tools in RDS
   
   • Especially remote support tools, printing optimizers, or USB virtualization software.

Final Thoughts

The 0x000000CF BSOD is a niche but critical error affecting Terminal Server environments. It's almost always rooted in incompatibly designed or outdated drivers. The good news? With the right tools and steps, it's highly fixable and preventable.

Don’t let a rogue driver crash your entire RDS deployment—audit your driver stack, stay updated, and choose software that's made for multi-user environments.

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