Windows Memory Diagnostic Results / Interpretation
What is this error?
How to read and interpret Windows Memory Diagnostic results, and what to do when it finds hardware problems.
Common causes
- faulty RAM module
- XMP/EXPO profile instability
- RAM not on motherboard QVL
- RAM voltage insufficient
- CPU memory controller issue
How to fix it
- Check Event Viewer for results
- run MemTest86 for detailed testing
- test each stick individually
Too many steps? Crashless can diagnose this automatically — checks your drivers, temps, VRAM, and 400+ known error patterns.
Get free AI diagnosis Detailed analysis
Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe) tests your RAM for errors. Here's how to use it and interpret results.
How to run it:
- Search 'Windows Memory Diagnostic' in Start Menu
- Click 'Restart now and check for problems'
- The test runs during boot (takes 10-20 minutes)
How to read results:
- After restart, check Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System
- Filter by Source: 'MemoryDiagnostics-Results'
- 'Windows Memory Diagnostic detected no errors' = RAM passed basic test
- If errors are found, note the number and type
IMPORTANT: Windows Memory Diagnostic is a BASIC test. It only catches obvious failures. For thorough testing, use MemTest86 (boot from USB, run 4-8 hours).
If errors are found:
- Disable XMP/EXPO in BIOS and retest — if errors disappear, your RAM can't handle the XMP speed
- Test each RAM stick individually in slot 1 — isolates the faulty module
- Try increasing RAM voltage slightly (DDR4:
1.35V → 1.38V, DDR5: check kit spec)
- Check if your RAM kit is on the motherboard's QVL (Qualified Vendor List) — incompatible kits may pass basic tests but fail under load
- If a specific stick consistently fails, RMA it — most RAM has lifetime warranty
When to seek help
If this error keeps happening after trying the fixes above, it may point to a deeper hardware or system issue. Consider professional help if:
- The crash occurs across multiple games or applications
- You see the same error after a clean Windows install
- Your PC is less than a year old (could be a warranty issue)
- You smell burning or hear unusual sounds from your PC
Or let Crashless do the deep analysis for you -- our AI checks drivers, temps, event logs, and 400+ known patterns automatically.
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