Why Is My Pc Crashing Only During Video Calls Hardware Or Driver Issue

Video calls have become a daily necessity for work, education, and staying connected. When your PC suddenly crashes during these sessions—yet runs fine otherwise—it’s both frustrating and puzzling. Unlike general system instability, crashes that occur exclusively during video conferencing suggest a specific trigger tied to resource demand, peripheral use, or software interaction. The root cause often lies in either hardware limitations or outdated, incompatible drivers. Understanding the distinction between the two is essential to diagnosing and resolving the problem efficiently.

The key lies in recognizing that video calls place unique demands on your system: they simultaneously engage the CPU, GPU, RAM, webcam, microphone, and network stack. This multi-resource load can expose weaknesses not apparent during regular browsing or document editing. By systematically evaluating each component, you can pinpoint whether the fault stems from aging hardware, inefficient drivers, or a combination of both.

Why Video Calls Trigger System Crashes

Video conferencing applications like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are more resource-intensive than they appear. Real-time encoding and decoding of audio and video, background noise suppression, screen sharing, and encryption all contribute to increased system load. Even if your PC appears capable on paper, real-world performance under sustained stress may reveal hidden bottlenecks.

Crucially, video calls activate components that might otherwise remain idle:

• Webcam and microphone drivers – Often overlooked but critical for input processing.
• Integrated or dedicated GPU – Handles video rendering and UI acceleration.
• CPU usage spikes – Especially during multi-participant calls or screen sharing.
• RAM consumption – Multiple browser tabs or apps running alongside the call increase memory pressure.
• Network adapter activity – High-bandwidth streaming stresses the NIC and its drivers.

If any of these components are outdated, overheating, or poorly supported by current drivers, the result can be a system crash—typically manifesting as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), sudden reboot, or application freeze.

Tip: Monitor CPU and GPU temperatures during a video call using tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp. Sustained temps above 90°C indicate thermal throttling or cooling failure.

Differentiating Hardware vs. Driver Issues

Before jumping into fixes, it's vital to determine whether the problem originates from hardware degradation or software/driver conflicts. Here’s how to tell them apart:

Indicator	Hardware Issue	Driver/Software Issue
Frequency	Increases over time, even outside calls	Only during specific activities (e.g., video calls)
Crash Logs	Random errors, memory-related BSODs (e.g., MEMORY_MANAGEMENT)	Driver-specific faults (e.g., usbvideo.sys, dxgkrnl.sys)
Temperature	Consistently high under load	Normal or moderate
Component Age	Older than 5 years, especially cooling system	New OS update, recent driver change
Reproducibility	Fails under other high-load tasks (gaming, rendering)	Only fails during video calls

As shown, if crashes are isolated to video calls and correlate with specific error codes involving drivers like usbvideo.sys or RTKVHD64.sys, the culprit is likely software-related. However, if your system struggles under any heavy workload and shows thermal issues, hardware is probably at fault.

“Modern video conferencing places asymmetric loads on older systems—especially those with integrated graphics and limited RAM. Many users don’t realize their hardware has reached its functional limit until real-time applications expose the strain.” — Dr. Alan Reeves, Systems Performance Analyst at TechInsight Labs

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Process

Follow this structured approach to identify and resolve the underlying cause of your PC crashes during video calls.

1. Check Event Viewer for Crash Signatures
   Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, and navigate to Windows Logs > System. Look for Error-level events around the time of the crash. Focus on entries with source BugCheck or related to display/audio/webcam drivers.
2. Analyze Minidump Files
   Navigate to C:\\Windows\\Minidump and open the most recent .dmp file using BlueScreenView (free tool) or WinDbg. Identify the faulty driver or module. Common offenders include:
   • dxgkrnl.sys – GPU driver (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD)
   • usbvideo.sys – Webcam driver
   • RTKVHD64.sys – Audio driver (Realtek)
3. Update All Relevant Drivers
   Prioritize:
   • Graphics driver (GPU)
   • USB controller driver
   • Audio driver
   • Webcam driver (even built-in ones)
   • Network adapter driver
   Use Device Manager or your manufacturer’s support site (e.g., Dell SupportAssist, Lenovo Vantage) for certified updates. Avoid third-party \"driver booster\" tools.
4. Test with Alternative Software
   Run a video call using different platforms (e.g., switch from Zoom to Google Meet). If the crash doesn't occur, the issue may be app-specific optimization or codec handling.
5. Disable Hardware Acceleration
   In your video conferencing app settings, disable “Hardware Acceleration” or “GPU acceleration.” This shifts video processing to the CPU, reducing GPU load. If crashes stop, your GPU driver or hardware is suspect.
6. Run Memory and Stress Tests
   Use Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe) to check RAM integrity. For CPU/GPU stress testing, use Prime95 and FurMark respectively. Monitor for crashes or thermal throttling.
7. Clean Internal Components
   Dust buildup in fans and heatsinks reduces cooling efficiency. Open the case (if desktop) or use compressed air on vents (laptops) to improve airflow. Reapply thermal paste if over five years old.

Common Fixes Based on Root Cause

Once you’ve identified the likely source, apply targeted solutions:

Driver-Related Crashes

If minidump analysis points to a specific driver, uninstall and reinstall it:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
2. Expand the relevant category (e.g., Display adapters).
3. Right-click the device > Uninstall device > Check “Delete the driver software.”
4. Restart the PC to trigger clean driver installation.
5. Download and install the latest official driver from the manufacturer.

For webcams, even if integrated, visit your laptop manufacturer’s download page and search for updated camera drivers—don’t rely solely on Windows Update.

Hardware Overheating

Laptops are especially prone to thermal shutdown during sustained loads. Signs include fan noise peaking before crash, hot chassis, and performance drops.

Tip: Use a laptop cooling pad and ensure the device is on a hard, flat surface. Avoid soft surfaces like beds or couches that block intake vents.

For desktops, verify that all case fans are operational and airflow is unobstructed. Consider upgrading the CPU cooler if temperatures exceed 90°C under load.

Inadequate System Resources

Older PCs with 4GB–8GB RAM and dual-core CPUs may struggle with modern video conferencing demands. Symptoms include lag, freezing, and eventual crashes when memory is exhausted.

Solutions:

• Upgrade RAM to at least 16GB if possible.
• Close unnecessary background apps before calls.
• Lower video resolution in app settings (e.g., 720p instead of 1080p).
• Use wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi to reduce CPU overhead from wireless processing.

Mini Case Study: Resolving a Recurring Zoom Crash

Sarah, a remote project manager using a 2018 HP laptop, experienced frequent BSODs during Zoom meetings. Her system ran smoothly otherwise. After checking Event Viewer, she found repeated errors linked to dxgkrnl.sys. A minidump analysis confirmed the Intel UHD Graphics driver was causing the crash.

She uninstalled the graphics driver via Device Manager and restarted. Windows installed a generic driver, and Zoom worked without crashes. She then downloaded the latest Intel graphics driver from HP’s support site (not Intel’s standalone version, which wasn’t certified for her model) and reinstalled it. The crashes stopped completely.

This case illustrates how an outdated or incompatible driver—even one provided by Windows Update—can cause instability under specific loads, while proper OEM-sourced updates restore reliability.

Prevention Checklist

To avoid future crashes during video calls, follow this actionable checklist:

• ✅ Keep graphics, audio, and webcam drivers up to date via manufacturer sources.
• ✅ Disable hardware acceleration in video apps if stability is poor.
• ✅ Clean dust from fans and vents every 6 months.
• ✅ Monitor system temperatures during long calls.
• ✅ Upgrade RAM if consistently above 80% usage during calls.
• ✅ Use wired internet connections to reduce system overhead.
• ✅ Test alternative conferencing apps to isolate software bugs.
• ✅ Regularly scan for malware that could interfere with drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bad webcam cause my PC to crash?

Yes. A malfunctioning webcam or outdated camera driver can lead to kernel-level crashes, especially if the driver isn’t handling data properly. Try disabling the camera in Device Manager and using an external USB cam to test stability.

Why does my PC crash only on Zoom but not Teams?

Different apps use different codecs, hardware acceleration methods, and background processes. Zoom, for instance, uses H.264 encoding aggressively. If your GPU driver lacks full support, it may fail under Zoom’s specific load while handling Teams adequately.

Is 8GB RAM enough for video calls?

For basic 1-on-1 calls, yes. But for group meetings with screen sharing, multiple browser tabs, or background apps, 8GB can become insufficient, leading to memory pressure and crashes. 16GB is recommended for reliable multitasking.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your System Stability

Your PC shouldn’t fail when you need it most. Crashes during video calls are not random—they’re symptoms of underlying hardware strain or driver incompatibility. By methodically analyzing crash logs, updating critical drivers, managing heat, and ensuring adequate resources, you can restore reliability and confidence in your system.

Don’t wait for the next meeting to freeze mid-presentation. Apply the diagnostics and fixes outlined here today. Whether it’s a simple driver update or a deeper hardware refresh, taking proactive steps now will keep your workflow smooth and professional.

🚀 Start with your Event Viewer and minidump files—your PC is already telling you what’s wrong. Listen, act, and reclaim stable video calling.