How to Fix WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR in Windows 10/11

Error Type

BSOD / Hardware

Root Cause

CPU / RAM / Driver

Affects

Windows 10 / 11

Difficulty

Beginner to advanced

Time to Fix

10 min – several hours

Overclocking (Most Common)

Running your CPU, RAM, or GPU faster than stock speeds puts extra stress on the hardware. Even a previously stable overclock can cause this error after a Windows update, temperature spike, or power fluctuation.

Faulty or Incompatible RAM

Bad memory is one of the top hardware causes. This includes physically failing RAM sticks, RAM running at the wrong speed for your motherboard, or mismatched sticks that are not compatible with each other.

Bad or Outdated Drivers

GPU drivers, chipset drivers, and storage controller drivers are the most common driver culprits. A buggy driver update can trigger this error even on hardware that was working fine the day before.

Overheating CPU or GPU

When a processor gets too hot, it can trigger hardware-level errors that cause this blue screen. Common on laptops with blocked vents, desktops with dried-out thermal paste, or rigs running demanding workloads in a hot room.

Failing Hard Drive or SSD

A drive that is starting to fail can trigger hardware errors as Windows tries to read or write to bad sectors. This is more common on older HDDs but can also happen with SSDs that are near end of life.

Corrupted System Files

A failed Windows update, a sudden shutdown during an update, or malware can corrupt core Windows files. This is less common than hardware causes but worth checking if all hardware tests come back clean.

Disable Overclocking and Reset XMP/EXPO

If your CPU, RAM, or GPU is running above stock speeds, this is almost certainly the cause. Reset everything to default first. XMP and EXPO are RAM speed profiles in your BIOS that push RAM beyond its base rated speed – they are a form of overclocking.

1. Step 1. Restart your PC and enter the BIOS by pressing the key shown on screen during startup. This is usually Delete, F2, or F10 depending on your motherboard.
2. Step 2. Find the CPU overclock settings and set them to Auto or default. Look for options labelled “CPU Ratio”, “Core Multiplier”, or “OC Tuner”.
3. Step 3. Find the RAM speed settings and disable XMP or EXPO. This sets your RAM back to its base rated speed.
4. Step 4. Save and exit the BIOS. Boot into Windows and monitor for crashes over the next few hours.

Update or Roll Back Device Drivers

A bad driver is one of the most common software-side causes of this error. GPU drivers are the most frequent offenders, but chipset, network, and storage drivers can also trigger it. If the crashes started right after a driver update, roll it back. Otherwise update everything.

1. Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Step 2. Look for any devices with a yellow warning icon. Right-click them and select Update driver.
3. Step 3. For GPU drivers specifically: go to the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website and download the latest driver for your graphics card. Install it fresh.
4. Step 4. If the error started after a recent driver update, right-click the device in Device Manager, select Properties, open the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver.
5. Step 5. Restart your PC after any driver change and monitor for crashes.

Run SFC and DISM to Repair System Files

If Windows system files were corrupted by a failed update, a sudden shutdown, or malware, SFC and DISM can find and restore them. Run both in this order.

1. Step 1. Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for it to finish. This takes 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Step 3. Once SFC finishes, run this DISM command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Step 4. Restart your PC when both scans complete, then monitor for crashes.

Test Your RAM for Errors

Faulty RAM causes WHEA errors that look identical to CPU or driver problems. Windows has a built-in memory test tool, but MemTest86 is more thorough and catches errors that Windows misses. Use both if you have time.

1. Step 1 (Quick test). Press Windows key + R, type mdsched, and press Enter. Choose Restart now and check for problems. Windows will reboot and run the memory test automatically.
2. Step 2 (Thorough test). Download MemTest86 from memtest86.com, write it to a USB drive using the included tool, boot from the USB, and let it run for at least two full passes. One pass takes roughly 30 to 90 minutes depending on how much RAM you have.
3. Step 3. If MemTest86 finds errors, try removing one RAM stick at a time and re-running the test to identify the faulty stick. Replace any stick that shows errors.
4. Step 4. If your RAM passes all tests, reseat the sticks. Power down, remove each stick, and firmly press them back into the slots. A loose connection can cause intermittent hardware errors.

Check CPU Temperature and Cooling

A CPU running too hot triggers thermal protection that can manifest as a WHEA error. Check your temperatures under load before assuming the hardware is failing.

1. Step 1. Download HWMonitor (free, from CPUID) and open it. Watch the CPU temperature readings while the PC is idle and while running a task that stresses it, like a game or video render.
2. Step 2. Acceptable CPU temps under load: under 85°C for most desktop CPUs. If you are regularly hitting 90°C or above, overheating is likely contributing to the crashes.
3. Step 3. Check that all case fans are spinning and that the CPU cooler is seated firmly. On desktops, check that the cooler’s mounting clips or screws are tight.
4. Step 4. If the CPU cooler is more than 3 to 4 years old, the thermal paste between the cooler and CPU may have dried out. Replacing it is a 15-minute job and can drop temperatures by 10 to 20°C.

Check Your Hard Drive or SSD for Errors

A failing drive can cause hardware errors that trigger this blue screen. Windows has a built-in check tool, and there are free third-party options that give more detail.

1. Step 1. Open This PC, right-click your main drive (usually C:), and select Properties.
2. Step 2. Go to the Tools tab and click Check under Error Checking. Let Windows scan the drive.
3. Step 3. For a deeper check, download CrystalDiskInfo (free). It reads the drive’s health data directly and flags drives that are starting to fail. Any result other than “Good” or “Caution” means the drive needs attention.
4. Step 4. If CrystalDiskInfo shows a drive with a “Bad” health rating, back up your data immediately and replace the drive.

Install Windows Updates and Check for BIOS Updates

Microsoft occasionally releases patches that fix known WHEA errors on specific hardware. Your motherboard manufacturer also releases BIOS updates that improve hardware stability and compatibility. Both are worth checking.

1. Step 1. Go to Settings, then Windows Update, and install all pending updates.
2. Step 2. Find your motherboard model (printed on the board itself or listed in System Information under “BaseBoard Product”). Go to the manufacturer’s support site and check for BIOS updates.
3. Step 3. If a BIOS update is available, follow your motherboard manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Do not update the BIOS if your PC is on a UPS or battery — a power cut during a BIOS update can brick the board.
4. Step 4. Restart after Windows updates and monitor for crashes.

Read the minidump file to identify the exact fault

Every BSOD creates a small crash log called a minidump. Open Event Viewer (search in Start), go to Windows Logs, then System, and look for Critical errors near the time of the crash. You can also use WhoCrashed (free tool from Resplendence) to read minidump files in plain language and see which driver or component caused the fault.

Run a malware scan

Malware can corrupt drivers and system files in ways that produce hardware-looking errors. If no hardware test has found a problem, run a full scan with Windows Defender before going further. For a deeper scan that also checks for damaged registry entries, Malwarebytes Premium is worth trying.

Perform a clean boot to isolate the cause

A third-party service or startup program could be triggering the fault. Open System Configuration (search msconfig), go to Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, click Disable all, then restart. If the crashes stop, re-enable services one group at a time to find the conflict.

Test with one RAM stick and check other slots

If MemTest86 passed but crashes continue, try moving your RAM to different slots on the motherboard. A faulty RAM slot on the motherboard can cause the same symptoms as bad RAM itself. Consult your motherboard manual for the correct dual-channel slot pairing.

Reset Windows as a last resort

If all hardware tests come back clean and the crashes persist, a Windows reset (Settings, System, Recovery, Reset this PC) with the “Keep my files” option reinstalls Windows while leaving your personal files in place. If crashes continue after a clean Windows install, the fault is hardware and you will need to isolate and replace the failing component.