Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix 0xC0000188 Error – BootCKCL.etl file size & Session "Circular Kernel Context Logger" stopped due to the following error: 0xC0000188

Windows Event Viewer error 0xC0000188, BootCKCL.etl file size and Circular Kernel Context Logger stopped due to insufficient bandwidth for ETW logging.

Quick Answer: Increase the minimum and maximum number of buffers and/or buffer size in Windows Performance Analyzer to resolve the issue.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The 'BootCKCL.etl file size & Session "Circular Kernel Context Logger" stopped due to error: 0xC0000188' issue affects Windows 8 x64 Professional users who experience errors in Event Viewer related to logging upon boot and shutdown. This error can be frustrating as it may cause lost events, resulting in incomplete system logs.

To resolve this issue, we will explore the root causes of the problem and provide two primary fix methods: increasing ETW buffer sizes and modifying Windows settings.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The maximum file size for session "Circular Kernel Context Logger" has been reached, causing events to be lost. This can happen when the system's bandwidth is insufficient for efficient logging.
  • Another possible cause is an issue with custom dynamic link libraries being loaded excessively, which may affect ETW performance.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Increasing ETW Buffer Sizes

  1. Step 1: Open the Event Viewer and navigate to the 'Windows Logs' section. Right-click on 'System' or 'Security' and select 'Properties'. In the 'Performance Options' window, click on 'Change'. Select "Increase buffer size" and set both the minimum and maximum buffer sizes to at least 4KB. This will help increase the system's bandwidth for ETW logging.
  2. Step 2: Restart the system after making these changes to ensure the new buffer sizes take effect. It is recommended to monitor system performance after this change to ensure it does not cause any further issues.
  3. Step 3: If increasing buffer sizes alone does not resolve the issue, consider doubling the values as suggested by Windows Performance Analyzer.

Modifying Windows Settings

  1. Step 1: Open the 'Event Viewer' and navigate to the 'Windows Logs' section. Right-click on "System" or "Security" and select "Properties". In the 'Performance Options' window, click on "Change" and select "Custom". Set both the minimum and maximum buffer sizes to at least 4KB.
  2. Step 2: Additionally, consider disabling any unnecessary dynamic link libraries by reviewing the list of loaded libraries and removing those that are not related to trusted applications. This may help alleviate excessive memory usage and improve ETW performance.

💡 Conclusion

By increasing ETW buffer sizes or modifying Windows settings, you should be able to resolve the 'BootCKCL.etl file size & Session "Circular Kernel Context Logger" stopped due to error: 0xC0000188' issue. Remember to monitor system performance after making these changes and consider restarting the system if necessary.

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