Experiencing the bound image unsupported error on your Windows PC can be quite annoying and frustrating while working or gaming. How to fix this vexing issue easily? Don’t worry and you are not alone. In this MiniTool post, you can find four effective methods to fix this issue.

About Bound Image Unsupported Error

The BOUND_IMAGE_UNSUPPORTED BSOD error might happen during the boot-up process on operating systems like Windows 7, Windows 8, Vista, 2000, 2008, and Windows XP. This error indicates that a problem has occurred during the startup sequence, usually due to a faulty or missing driver. As a result, the system performs an emergency shutdown to avoid possible harm and it may cause data loss.

Help: The BOUND_IMAGE_UNSUPPORTED bug check has a value of 0x00000097.
This bug check appears very infrequently.learn.microsoft.com

The bound image unsupported error also shows as BOUND_IMAGE_UNSUPPORTED and STOP 0x00000097. It is a BSOD error and has been reported by several users of the Windows OS.

The Blue Screen of Death error is typically due to hardware or device driver complications, such as outdated, corrupted, or damaged drivers. Additionally, the BSOD error may arise from the new hardware or driver installations that are incompatible with the existing computer system and operating system.

Before initiating the specific methods on how to fix error 0x097 bound image unsupported error, please ensure that you have installed the latest software updates for Windows and that all drivers are up to date. Additionally, it may be helpful to disconnect any external devices.

Method 1: Toggle Fast Startup

Fast Startup operates similarly to the hybrid sleep mode. It combines the functionalities of a standard shutdown with those of hibernation. This feature enables an expedited computer startup by preserving the operating system’s state in a hibernation file. However, certain services and drivers may not start correctly when Fast Startup is activated, resulting in computer crashes, black screen problems, and other issues like the bound image unsupported error.

To fix the error code 0x00000097 on Windows, try to switch the Fast Startup:

Step 1: Press Win S together to open the Windows Search bar, type choose a power plan in the box, and press Enter.

Step 2: In the pop-up Power Options window, select Choose what the power buttons do in the left panel.

Step 3: Click Change settings that are currently unavailable under the Define power buttons and turn on password protection section.

Step 4: To modify the fast startup setting, if it is currently enabled, uncheck the corresponding box of Turn on fast startup and then click on Save changes. Conversely, if it is disabled, check the box of Turn on fast startup and click Save changes.

Method 2: Uninstall Recently Installed Applications

Some users reported encountering the bound image unsupported error after installing new software. Therefore, uninstalling recently installed software may help fix the issue as it can be the cause of system instability.

Step 1: Press Win X simultaneously to open the WinX menu and select Apps and Features.

Step 2: Scroll down to find and click recently installed and problematic applications, and then click the Uninstall button.

Step 3: Adhere to the on-screen prompts to finish the uninstallation procedure. Reboot your computer to see if the issue is gone.

Method 3: Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Windows updates may cause driver conflicts, software incompatibilities, hardware issues, corrupted update files, and so on, leading to the bound image unsupported error on Windows PCs. Consider uninstalling recent updates in WinRE to fix this issue:

Step 1: Press Win I to open Windows Settings.

Step 2: Go to Update & Security.

Step 3: In the Windows Update tab, scroll down to find and click Advanced Options in the right panel, and select Recovery.

Step 4: Click the Restart Now button next to the Advanced Startup option. Then, your computer will reboot into Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 5: Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options, and click Uninstall Updates.

Step 6: Choose the type of update you’d like to remove. You have the option to uninstall either the most recent feature update or the quality update. Feature updates are significant system updates that come out once or twice a year, whereas quality updates are released monthly or at intervals to address bugs, improve security, and so on. This way, you can remove the most recent Windows update.

Method 4: Perform System Restore

Consider running System Restore to go back to a point before the bound image unsupported error occurred to resolve the BSOD issue. Follow the steps:

Step 1: Press the Win R key combination to launch the Run dialog box, type rstrui in the box, and press Enter.

Step 2: In the pop-up window, click the Next button. Utilize the System Restore wizard to select a restore point from a time when your computer was functioning properly and click Next to confirm your restore point selection.

Step 3: Click the Finish button to start the process.

Step 4: Allow the restoration process to finish, then reboot your computer.

When the bound image unsupported error occurs, there is a risk of data loss on your computer. Additionally, performing a System Restore may also result in the loss of important data. To get them back, it is advisable to utilize a comprehensive and professional data recovery tool, such as MiniTool Power Data Recovery. If you choose this helpful tool, follow this guide to perform a data recovery: How to Fix Blue Screen of Death & Recover Data After BSOD.

Bottom Line

To fix the bound image unsupported error, choose the appropriate solution from above according to your circumstances and consider using a useful data recovery tool to retrieve files if necessary. Additionally, ensuring your system remains updated and routinely checking for hardware and software problems can help avoid errors such as 0x00000097 Bound_Image_Unsupported in the future. Simply give it a shot, and hope you have a wonderful day!