Troubleshoot System Memory: How to Test for Errors in Windows

Encountering system issues on Windows 10, 8 or 7? Learn how to test your system memory for errors with this comprehensive guide. Discover expert techniques to diagnose and resolve issues for improved performance and stability!

Troubleshoot System Memory: How to Test for Errors in Windows

If programs work very slowly or with errors, if you see various glitches or freezes in Windows, if the system restarts suddenly, shows BSOD errors, it becomes a challenging task to find the root of the problem. Such errors can be cause by both software and hardware issues.

System memory is the component that you can check quickly and easily. In case there are problems with one of the memory modules, you should replace it immediately to restore your computer’s performance back to normal and avoid more serious problems connected to damaging system or user files.

In spite of third-party utilities for the same purpose available for download from the Internet, operating systems Windows 10, 8 and 7 have an integrated tool for checking the system memory. In this guide we will learn to use the Windows memory diagnostic tool to check if there are any problems with a memory module.

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How to Detect Memory Problems in Windows 10

To perform the following steps, you should restart the computer, so close all files which are opened and exit all running applications. Then:

  1. Open Control Panel.

  2. Choose System and Security.

  3. Go to Administrative Tools.

    Administrative Tools
  4. Double-click the Windows Memory Diagnostic shortcut.

    Windows Memory Diagnostic

    An important note: As an alternative, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R, then enter mdsched.exe and click ОК to run this tool.

  5. Click the Restart now and check problems option. (The utility also offers to schedule a test after the next restart if you can’t close your applications and restart right now).

    Restart now and check problems

After the restart, the computer will automatically start in the Windows Memory Diagnostics environment and will run a standard test. The utility will run all tests available in the basic mode, as well as LRAND, Stride6 (cache enabled), CHCKR3, WMATS + and WINVC.

Windows Memory Diagnostics. Standard test

You can wait till the end of the Standard test, or you can press the F1 button to change the scan options.

Windows Memory Diagnostics. To change the scan options

On the Options page, you can change the scan mode to Basic, which runs the MATS+, INVC, and SCHCKR (cache enabled) tests.

Windows Memory Diagnostics. Options page

Alternatively, you can also select the Extended mode which includes all tests available in the Standard mode, plus MATS+ (cache disabled), Stride38, WSCHCKR, WStride-6, CHCKR4, WCHCKR3, ERAND, Stride6 (cache disabled), and CHCKR8.

Windows Memory Diagnostics. Extended mode

If necessary, you can navigate the settings using the TAB key to change cache settings. If you disable cache, the utility will be able to address RAM data directly which ensures you run a comprehensive test. Besides, you can also set how many times the scanning will be repeated to test memory modules within your system.

Press F10 to apply the settings, go back to the main page and start a new scan.

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Checking Test Results

You can see the status while the scan is running, but as soon as the test is over, the computer will restart automatically. You will have to use the Event Viewer tool to see the test results and understand whether you have a faulty RAM module or not.

  1. Click on Start.

  2. Type in eventvwr.exe and press Enter to open Event Viewer.

  3. Go to the folder Windows Logs / System.

  4. Right-click on System and select Find.

    Windows Event Viewer
  5. Enter MemoryDiagnostics-Results, and click the Find Next button.

  6. Close the Find dialogue window.

  7. In the Event Viewer, double-click on the MemoryDiagnostics-Results source, and view the message. If it says “The Windows Memory Diagnostic tested the computer’s memory and detected no errors,” then you can rest assured that memory is not the root of the problem.

    MemoryDiagnostics-Results

If the results show one or several errors, you can try running an extended memory test and check the results again. If you still see at least one error, then one of your RAM modules may be faulty and you might have to replace it.

Sometimes the tool can show you which memory stick has problems showing the results. However, if it cannot provide this information, you may have to remove and test your RAM sticks one by one to find the faulty one.

Though we use this guide for Windows 10, the Windows memory diagnostic tool has been around for many years, and it means you can use it in earlier versions of Windows as well, including Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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