Fix ERROR_CALLBACK_POP_STACK 0x00000300 on Windows 10/11

Cause #1: Your video driver messed up the kernel callback

I've seen this error so many times on Windows 10 version 21H2 and Windows 11. The trigger is almost always a video driver that's either too new, too old, or just plain broken. The kernel tries to clean up after a user-mode callback, but the driver leaves a frame hanging. You get the 0x00000300 BSOD.

Here's the real fix — and it's not reinstalling Windows.

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode with Networking

If you can't get into Windows normally (most people can't when this hits), do this:

1. Restart your PC. As soon as the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to force shutdown. Do this 3 times.
2. On the 4th boot, you'll see "Preparing Automatic Repair". Let it run.
3. Click "Advanced options" → "Troubleshoot" → "Advanced options" → "Startup Settings" → "Restart".
4. Press 5 to choose Safe Mode with Networking.

Once you're in Safe Mode, the error usually stops because Windows uses basic video drivers.

Step 2: Remove your current video driver completely

Don't just "update" it. Nuke it. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller). I've used this tool for years. It's free and it works.

1. Download DDU from the official Wagnardsoft site (not some random download button).
2. Extract it, then run Display Driver Uninstaller.exe.
3. Select your GPU type (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel).
4. Click "Clean and restart". DDU wipes every trace of the driver.

Your screen will go black for a minute. That's normal. Windows will install its own basic driver after reboot.

Step 3: Install a stable driver

If you had the latest Nvidia 536.xx or AMD 23.x.x driver, don't install that same version. Go back one or two versions. For example, if you had Nvidia 537.13, try 536.99 or 531.79. For AMD, use 22.11.2 — that version is rock solid.

Download the driver from the official site, install it with a "Clean Installation" option if available.

That's it. In 90% of cases, this kills the 0x00000300 error.

Cause #2: Corrupted system files from a failed update

Sometimes it's not the driver itself, but a Windows Update that broke something. I had a client whose PC crashed after the Windows 11 22H2 feature update. The update corrupted kernel callback pointers.

Here's the quick fix:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Press Win+X, then choose "Terminal (Admin)".
2. Run: sfc /scannow
3. Let it finish. If it finds corrupted files, they get fixed automatically.
4. Then run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This second command fixes the component store itself. It can take 15-20 minutes. Don't stop it halfway.

After both complete, restart your PC. If the error comes back, move to the next fix.

Cause #3: Third-party software hooking into kernel callbacks

This is rarer, but I've seen it with antivirus software (looking at you, McAfee) and some cheating prevention systems in games. These apps install kernel-level hooks that can break when Windows tries to pop a callback stack.

Here's what I do:

1. Boot into Safe Mode again (same steps as above).
2. Uninstall any third-party antivirus. Windows Defender is good enough for most people. You can always reinstall later.
3. If you run game anticheat (like EasyAntiCheat or BattlEye), uninstall the game that uses it, then reinstall it fresh.
4. Also check for "optimizer" tools or driver updater apps. Those cause nothing but trouble.

After uninstalling, restart normally. If the error's gone, you found the culprit.

Quick-reference summary table

If you get through all three and the error still happens, you might have a hardware problem — bad RAM or a failing GPU. Run memtest86 overnight. But honestly, that's like a 1% chance. The driver is almost always the problem.

Good luck. You'll fix this.