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Bluescreens or random visual glitches in Windows

Troubleshooting

Bluescreens and other random problems can have a number of reasons. Sometimes the error message or the mentioned driver in the bluescreen can already point to the cause - but sometimes the messages are not very clear. Also, random image errors in Windows (artifacts, glitches) don't necessarily have to be caused by the screen or the GPU: because the integrated graphics of Intel and AMD use system memory (RAM) as shared graphics memory, visual glitches might be caused by bad memory or related CPU/memory issues.

Let's start with a rather generic step-by-step procedure to narrow down the root cause:

  • If any undervolting (core voltage offset) was performed in BIOS Setup, Control Center or via third-party software, please deactivate it (set it back to zero).
  • Perform a BIOS update.
  • Perform a BIOS reset (load defaults and save).
  • Make sure that all drivers are installed correctly - at least that shouldn't be any yellow exclamation marks in Device Manager.
  • Make sure that no system tuning software or third-party drivers are loaded.
  • Open the laptop (see FAQ category "Maintenance") and remove both RAM modules. Plug one of the two RAM modules back in properly. Run the laptop with only one RAM module for a while to see if the bluescreens or random image errors disappear.
  • Consider a clean reinstallation of Windows.
  • Run a full check of both RAM modules with MemTest86, booted from a USB stick.

Instructions for MemTest86 to test RAM

To test the system with MemTest86, please follow these steps:

  • Download the free version of MemTest86 here: https://www.memtest86.com/download.htm
  • The Pro version is not needed for private uses, so there is no need to purchase anything yet.
  • A file called "memtest86-usb.zip" will be downloaded. Unzip it into a new subfolder.
  • Connect a USB thumb drive to the laptop. Make sure that there is no important data on it.
  • The next steps will delete all data on this USB thumb drive!
  • Execute the program imageUSB.exe in the unpacked folder and confirm the administrator prompt.
  • A user interface opens (see screenshot). Confirm the drive letter of the emptied USB drive.
  • Click the "Write" button and read and confirm the following screen instructions.
  • Once the USB stick has been successfully set up, reboot Windows while holding down the F2 key to enter BIOS setup.
  • Make sure that the laptop's charger is plugged in and connected to external power.
  • Some laptops require "Fast Boot" to be disabled first in order to boot from USB. Most laptops also require "Secure Boot" to be disabled in order to boot MemTest86. Therefore search and deactivate "Secure Boot" and "Fast Boot" in the BIOS setup. No other options need to be changed. Enabling CSM or Legacy Mode are no longer required for modern versions of MemTest86.
  • Exit the BIOS setup with "Save & Reset". Press and hold the F7 key (or F10 key on XMG FUSION 15) during the reboot to open a "boot media select" prompt.
  • Select the USB drive from that boot media menu.
  • MemTest86 will automatically start and begin testing (see screenshot). If an error is detected, please take a screenshot (e.g. with your cell phone) for the purpose of contacting our support later.
  • If the first run (Pass: 1 / 4) completes without errors, the probability is quite high that no further errors will occur in the following runs. You could then abort the test and restart it with Ctrl+Alt+Del. If in doubt, you can also run the test overnight with several runs.

Note: for a typical gaming laptop, MemTest86 might consume about 100 watts at the AC wall socket. That's nothing to sneeze at, but significantly less than most gaming or other full load scenarios. A sustained overnight run is therefore no problem, provided the laptop has adequate ventilation.

What to do when MemTest86 has found errors

Crashes or MemTest86 errors are not always due to actually defective modules. If one of the modules simply has bad contact, it can help to remove the modules once and reinsert them properly. Advice about how to open your laptop can be found in the FAQ category "Maintenance".

If MemTest86 has indeed found errors and they can't be eliminated by reassembling the modules, you can now try to test both memory modules individually. Remove one of the two modules and run it again with MemTest86. If the errors only occur in one of the modules, try the same module again in the other (empty) RAM slot. If the same module shows errors in both RAM slots during the single test, it may actually be defective. In this case, we can replace it via our Advanced Warranty Replacement service without having to RMA the full system.

Everything back to zero

After completing these tests, please don't forget to undo the changed BIOS settings. Go back to the BIOS setup (F2) and reload the defaults, perhaps activate Fast Boot again and save everything with Save & Exit.