While using Windows, you are bound to stumble upon a few fair shares of Windows system error. One of the system errors is a Machine Check Exception, which results in a blue screen of death. Sadly. It is not it! A Machine Check Exception error occurs too often, if it isn’t fixed properly.
In this post, we have understood what machine check exception error on Windows 10 is and how to fix this error for once and for all.
Machine Check Exception Error
Machine Check Exception is a kind of computer hardware error which happens when your PC’s CPU comes across an incorrigible hardware error in the processor, the system bus, the memory or the input, output devices. This error is not caused by any software.
Windows Hardware Error Architecture highlights the error origin however the Windows Hardware Error Architecture could not possibly always be right.
Although, you can pinpoint a few reasons which could cause Machine Check Exception
- System errors associated to hardware
- Issues related to physical hardware
- Issues related to memory
- Problems & overstress because of overclocking
- Corrupt or outdated drivers
But these are not the only options. Machine Check Exception Error can be caused due to other reasons as well. To fix the issue, we can follow the below given steps:
1. Update Drivers
Corrupted & Outdated system drivers are one of the basic reasons for Machine Check Exception. However, if you are using Windows 10, Microsoft takes care of outdated drivers eliminated this reason to an extent. But this doesn’t mean outdated drivers will not be the issue ever. You can take care of driver update manually as well.
To get to it, follow these steps:
- Press Windows and I key together to launch Settings.
- Now head to Update & Security.
- Go to View Update History.
- You will get the list of driver updates here.
Once done, you need to head to Device manager.
- Go to search bar beside Start menu and type Device Manager
Note: You can also press Windows and R to get run box and type devmgmt.msc to open Device Manager.
- Check for error symbol down the list.
- If you don’t find any error symbol, then it is not the issue.
You can also get updates for drivers by using third-party tools. One of the best tools to help and update your Windows drivers is Advanced Driver Updater. It is a simple utility tool which scans your system for outdated and corrupted drivers, then updates them to make your system run smoother and faster. Let’s take a look at features of Advanced Driver Updater:
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- The tool comes with driver exclusion feature which allows you to exclude the drivers which could become the reason for instability on your system due to compatibility problems.
- Before scanning, it takes a full backup of your PC drivers, and restore them when needed.
- It allows you to schedule driver scans and updates as frequently as you want. The tool lets you run a one-time update of your drivers, or schedule regular scans and updates.
2. Check Your RAM
You can check your RAM to know whether it is creating any issues or not. To do that, you can use MemTest86 tool. It is a free memory testing tool. To use the tool, you need a USB drive/disc loaded with MemTest86 and insert it to inspect your system RAM. This tool will take its time to check your computer’s RAM.
If you want to be thorough, you should run the tool at least two times. However, if there is an issue the tool diagnoses the issue within minutes into the scan on PC.
To get the tool, go to MemTest86 and download the ISO to create bootable flash drive or CD. Then write the ISO file on the disc or flash drive. Once done, turn off your computer. Reboot your computer by using F10, DEL, F11, or ESC to open Boot Selection menu and then choose bootable MemTest86 USB flash drive. The process will start on its own.
If you get errors in your RAM, then search the error code on the internet to know what do next!
3. System Overclocking Reset
Yet another issue, Overclocking could be the reason of another hardware issue. If you use it wisely, you can get better performance of system hardware. You can reset overclocking to resolve Machine Check Exception error.
You might have to go to UEFI or BIOS menu. To do it, shut down your computer.
Now restart your computer by pressing F1, F2, F10, ESC or DEL to enter UEFI/BIOS menu.
These settings could be different for different manufacturer. However, menu is quite similar. Check for Overclocking. You can get the option under Advanced, Frequency, Performance, and Voltage menu.
Go to the menu and reset the settings for overclocking. After this step, your system will be back to state, when it was new. This could remove Machine Check Exception (MCE)
Reset UEFI/BIOS Settings
Sometimes resetting UEFI/BIOS overclock settings doesn’t resolve the issue. Therefore, you should reset whole BIOS. Among the BIOS menu, you will get an option to reset full BIOS settings and select it.
4. Check Physical Hardware
Another thing that could be done is looking for issues on Physical Hardware. First check whether your RAM is fixed into the CPU properly. Then, move to CPU heatsink, confirm it is in place. After that check GPU’s position. As MCE error is related to system hardware. Look for the hardware component which you have installed recently.
As you are checking the position of your system’s hardware component, clean the dust from it. You can use compressed air to remove dust from the CPU and GPU fans.
a. Run SFC
Now it is time to go for SFC aka System File Check. It scans PC and searches your computer for corrupt and missing files. However, it is different from CHKDSK.
SFC scans for Windows system files however, CHKDSK checks for errors on entire drive. Before going forward, check it twice to know whether it is completely functional.
Deployment Image Servicing & Management (DSIM) is a Windows tool which comes with a lot of functions. With the help of Restore health command, the tool tell us whether the following fix will work or not. To check that, follow these steps:
- Go to search bar beside Start menu, and type Command Prompt or CMD to get the Command Prompt in the results. Now right click on Command Prompt to get Run as Administrator.
- Now, on the command prompt window, type, “DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” and hit Enter key.
- The scan on PC will start and will end for about 20 minutes or more as per computer’s health.
- When it is completed, you can type sfc/scannow and hit Enter key to initiate the scan on PC.
b. Run CHKDSK
CHKDSK or Check Disk is a Windows Utility which run using Command Prompt. CHKDSK checks your system files and resolves issues if there any. Follow these steps to run CHKDSK:
- Go to search bar beside Start menu, and type Command Prompt or CMD to get the Command Prompt in the results. Now right click on Command Prompt to get Run as Administrator.
- Type CHKDSK /r and hit Enter.
5. Reset Windows 10
If any of the above things doesn’t work for you, then before throwing in the towel you should use Windows 10 Reset option. This function refreshes your system files. Your system files are replaced by a fresh set of system files which eliminates all issues including Machine Check Exception error however you don’t lose your important files.
To do that, follow these steps:
- Press Windows and I to open Security Option.
- Then head to Update and Security.
- From the left panel, choose Recovery.
- Look for Reset This PC and click On Get Started.
- Your system restarts when you click on the Get Started button.
- You will get a prompt asking to select from Remove everything or Keep my files.
Conclusion:
Now, that you have followed all the steps, you can kiss MCE issue a final goodbye. The Machine Check Exception issue is usually caused by your system hardware. Look out for any signs to avoid the issue in future.