Windows is experiencing frequent crashes throughout the day.
Windows is experiencing frequent crashes throughout the day.
Hello, my Windows11 machine has been experiencing frequent crashes for more than a year, and I’m really struggling to find a solution. So far, I’ve tried swapping the RAM, replacing the power supply, updating the GPU, installing the latest BIOS, updating chipset drivers, reinstalling the GPU drivers using DDU, performing SFC scans, checking disk health, and running Windows memory diagnostics. Each attempt seemed to make no difference, so a few days ago I performed a clean installation after wiping my drives. Now nothing seems to work properly. I encounter BSODs triggered by IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and security violations. The screen sometimes turns black, the system freezes, or it randomly restarts—most often it’s a BSOD.
Interestingly, my PC behaves differently depending on the activity: it rarely crashes during gaming but tends to fail when I’m watching videos (like YouTube, Netflix, Prime) or working at work or sleeping. I’ve shared my issues on the Microsoft forums without success. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My next plan is to purchase a new SSD and reinstall Windows since replacing the hard drive would be the most cost-effective option. I’m also unsure if this is connected, but recently my Chrome tabs started crashing with the error code STATUS_STACK_BUFFER_OVERRUN—though I’m not sure what that means.
Before starting the clean install, I’ve collected pre-windows wipe minidumps and Event Viewer logs for reference:
- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1...sp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1...sp=sharing
Details:
CPU: Ryzen 3600
GPU: EVGA RTX 3060ti
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (3466MHz rated, XMP disabled)
PSU: EVGA 1000GQ
MOBO: X470 AORUS GAMING 7 WIFI
Did not save the .dmp files. No previews were accessible and I considered downloading too dangerous.
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Check if the issues cease or lessen when switching to a wired connection. Turn on wired mode and switch off wireless for testing.
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Review the Open Reliability History/Monitor and examine the error codes, warnings, and events. Search for recurring patterns.
Consult Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Process Explorer (Microsoft, free). It might be a buggy or corrupt process affecting performance. Try to pinpoint everything running on the system.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysint...s-explorer
Manually download, reinstall, and reconfigure all drivers. Ensure they are downloaded directly from the manufacturer’s site. Avoid third-party tools or installers.
Draw a diagram of your PC showing all peripherals—cables, connections, monitors, speakers, cameras, etc., as well as any surge protectors, power strips, UPS, and electrical outlets. Check for loops where one component connects to another in a cycle.
If the problem persists for over a year despite these steps, it suggests a deeper hardware issue with the PC.
Set up a simple Windows 11 installation with minimal games, viewers, apps, and utilities to create a stable base. Add software gradually, pausing between each addition, and keep an eye on system performance.
If the issues return, the likely cause is the most recent change you made.
Consider testing new bios; reset bios to defaults. Verify memory is set in slots 2 and 4. Install a single stick of ram in the second CPU slot. Loosen the CPU cooler tension screws slightly, then check the CPU for bent pins if no improvement occurs.
Hello,
Would there be another method for uploading DMP files to maintain security?
I only use Ethernet with my computer, but the Wi-Fi is always active because it’s built into the board. Should I disable the Wi-Fi features?
Crashes often change their codes. I haven’t noticed any consistent patterns.
Today I’m in and out of the house, but I’ll check the process explorer when I return.
The only drivers I installed manually were chipset, GPU, and audio; everything else was added by Windows. Should I reinstall the Windows drivers? I’ve also used a driver verifier. It doesn’t crash my system (it ran for about 12 hours yesterday), but when I turned it off, my PC crashed three times overnight.
The only devices connected to my PC are a monitor (I switched from DVI to HDMI after hearing others report issues), a mouse, a keyboard, an Ethernet cable, and a power cable (I’ve also tried swapping power cables). I also have a wireless transmitter for my headphones, but I removed it for a day and the PC still crashed. I’ve changed between surge protectors and wall plugs—no difference.
Not exactly what you meant by loops, but when I assembled my PC, I followed standard connections (others haven’t had crashing problems). Everything is connected one-way to any peripherals, and I don’t use any extra USB ports on the monitor or keyboard.
At this stage, the only parts I haven’t replaced are the motherboard, CPU, and SSD. Some crashes suggest RAM issues, while others point to GPU driver problems. Once it mentioned the GPU lost power, I suspect a faulty motherboard, but I don’t have proof. Is there a way to test the motherboard?
So far, during my fresh Windows installation, I’ve only installed Chrome, Steam, CSGO, Discord, Python, VS Code, ICUE, GeForce Experience, NVIDIA drivers (via GeForce Experience), Realtek audio driver (from the motherboard site), and chipset drivers (from AMD).
Every night before bed I try to ensure stability. Recently, I began running Code 24/7 on my PC, which is a major issue when it shuts down after 8+ hours of use while working. To clarify things, my PC also crashed before I started the code, so it’s unlikely connected. I’ve written everything myself, so there are no viruses in the code.
Thank you for your help!
BIOS is currently up to date. I'm considering restoring defaults. Should I use BIOS or reset CMOS? I recently upgraded to 32GB of RAM and mistakenly installed it in slots 1 and 3, only to notice the issue when switching back to slots 2 and 4. I'm planning to try one stick. Might the CPU damage pins while inside the socket? I haven't moved the CPU in about three years.
I downloaded the dumps and both the pre-wipe and post-wipe odors were very strong, indicating RAM issues. I’m ready to go into detail if needed, but my top recommendation right now is to download Memtest86 (free), use the imageUSB.exe tool from the download to create a bootable USB drive, and then boot from it. Memtest86 will begin running immediately after startup.
If no errors appear after completing the four iterations of the 13 different tests in the free version, simply restart Memtest86 and run another four iterations.
Let me know how it goes.
Ram is typically responsible for most issues. I considered checking the pins if other solutions didn't help, as this has been ongoing for quite some time. However, it's likely not the case after three years since the CPU was installed. Look into your RAM.
I'm going to run a memtest now. I've tested two different RAM modules on this PC. Could it be that the motherboard isn't reading or writing RAM correctly? It seems more likely than both units being defective. I'll proceed with the test but I wanted to ask about the details you mentioned. Thanks!
I just found this discussion on Reddit. It talks about crashes related to DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION and IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. I might consider replacing my CPU. I realize I made a big mistake by booting memtest and thinking I was using a single channel. After swapping RAM, I misread the manual and put both sticks on one channel. Now I’m checking if dual-channel improves things. If more crashes happen, I’ll run another memtest. If it passes, I’ll upgrade to a 5600 and test again. I’ve been reading about the tricky memory controllers in the 3600, especially early versions, and the problems seem similar to mine. Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments!