fault (technology)

{{short description|Abnormal condition or defect}}

{{unreferenced|date=April 2018}}

In engineering, a fault is a defect or problem in a system that causes it to fail or act abnormally. An example of this is the Windows fault screen, commonly referred to as the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). The system actively monitors kernel-mode components. If the system determines that safe system operation is compromised, the system halts to reduce further damage.{{Cite web |last=Deland-Han |title=Stop error, bug check, or blue screen error troubleshooting - Windows Client |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/performance/stop-error-or-blue-screen-error-troubleshooting |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}

The ISO document 10303-226 defines fault as an abnormal condition or defect at the component, equipment, or sub-system level which may lead to a failure.

The United States Glossary of Telecommunication Terms defines fault for telecommunications as:

1. An accidental condition that causes a functional unit to fail to perform its required function. See {{section link||Random fault}}.[https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/reference/glossary_f.html]
2. A defect that causes a reproducible or catastrophic malfunction. A malfunction is considered reproducible if it occurs consistently under the same circumstances. See {{section link||Systematic fault}}.
3. In power systems, an unintentional short circuit, or partial short circuit, between energized conductors or between an energized conductor and ground. A distinction can be made between symmetric and asymmetric faults. See Fault (power engineering).