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Key Takeaways

  • WHEA Uncorrectable Error (WUE) is a hardware error on Windows systems and can be caused by corrupt hardware, driver compatibility issues, or heat and voltage issues.
  • Run CHKDSK to fix file system issues before making any hardware changes, and check your system hardware and drivers to ensure that they are functioning properly.
  • You could also consider checking your RAM for any errors using MemTest86, while another option is to reset any overclocking.

Windows has a long and beautiful (read: painful) history with what's affectionately known as the Blue Screen of Death. These error screens contain important information regarding the sudden demise of your system. Some Windows crash errors are more cryptic than others and, therefore, more difficult to troubleshoot. The WHEA Uncorrectable Error is one of those.

What Is the WHEA Uncorrectable Error, and What Causes It?

The WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (Windows stop code 0x0000124) is a hardware error. There are several common causes for a WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (we'll abbreviate it as WUE), most of which directly relate to your system hardware:

  • Corrupt hardware (damaged hard drives/SSDs, GPU, CPU, PSU, corrupt RAM, etc.)
  • Driver compatibility issues
  • Heat and voltage issues (overclocking and voltage changes)
  • Corrupt Windows system files or registry files

Although it isn't always the source, power supply unit voltage issues commonly cause this Windows error. The WUE message and 0x0000124 stop code indicate the nature of the error, but looking at the error dump file will provide further information. Your error dump file (.DMP) is found at C:/Windows/Minidump and will have a timestamp.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer solutions for every issue, but the following fixes should alleviate WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR.

1. Run CHKDSK

First, before making any specific hardware alterations, try running Windows Check Disk from the Command Prompt. CHKDSK is a Windows system tool that verifies the file system and, with certain settings, fixes issues as it runs. To use it:

  1. Type command prompt in your Start menu search bar, then right-click the best match and select Run as administrator. (Alternatively, press Windows Key + X, then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.)
  2. Next, type chkdsk /r and press Enter. The command will scan your system for errors and fix any issues.
chkdsk r scan windows 10

2. Check Your System Hardware

The WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR closely relates to your system hardware. Therefore, before progressing with system resets and memory tests, physically double-check the components in your machine.

Check your PC's cooling systems are fully functioning, your RAM is secure in its slots, the CPU has mystifyingly not come loose, and so on. If you're unsure how to reseat your system hardware, check out the following video.

But remember to be gentle with your hardware. Don't go in and start yanking cables out and disturbing previously settled hardware. You might end up making the error worse.

Another option is to remove any newly installed hardware. Although you may have checked your PC parts are compatible before buying, fresh hardware may have upset the rest of your system. Remove anything you've recently put in your system (like extra RAM or a secondary storage drive) and see if the WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR persists.

3. Check Your Drivers

New drivers harming your system are much rarer than in the older days of computing, as Windows now handles most driver updates directly.

However, that doesn't mean a dodgy driver cannot upset your system. Thankfully, Windows lists any driver updates in the Windows Update section, so you can rapidly figure out where the issue stems from.

On Windows 10:

windows 10 view update history
  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings panel, then select Update & Security > View update history. You can find any driver updates here.
  2. Now, type device manager in the Start menu search bar and select the best match. Next, go down the list and check for an error symbol. If there is nothing, your driver status is likely not the source of the issue.

On Windows 11:

how to view windows 11 update history
  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings panel, then head to Windows Update > Update history. You can find any driver updates here.
  2. Now, type device manager in the Start menu search bar and select the best match. Next, go down the list and check for an error symbol. If there is nothing, your driver status is likely not the source of the issue.

That said, you can use a third-party tool to update all your system drivers simultaneously. On our list of free tools to fix Windows problems, the first two options—IOBit's Driver Booster and Snappy Driver Installer—do exactly this.

4. Check Your RAM Using MemTest86

Windows has an integrated memory checker called Windows Memory Diagnostic. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a great reputation and regularly misses issues found using another excellent tool: MemTest86.

MemTest86 is a free, standalone memory testing tool that works on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, despite its name. You boot MemTest86 from a USB flash drive (or bootable disc) and leave it to check your system RAM. Note that a MemTest86 RAM check takes a long time to complete; a single pass takes hours, depending on the amount of RAM you have installed.

To get the full MemTest86 experience, you should run at least two passes (two complete cycles). However, according to most reports, MemTest86 should expose a serious RAM issue after a short period.

  1. Head to the MemTest86 download page and select Download MemTest86 Free. This downloads an archive file to your computer.
  2. Once downloaded, extract the archive file by right-clicking and extracting the contents with your favorite file extraction tool, like 7-Zip or PeaZip.
    • Windows 11 users can also use the integrated extraction tool by right-clicking the downloaded file, selecting Extract Here, then following the instructions.
  3. Next, you need to write the MemTest86 ISO to a USB flash drive. You can do so using an ISO to USB tool. Burn MemTest86 using the tool of your choice, then shut down your system.
  4. Next, reboot the system while pressing the Boot Selection menu button (usually F10, F11, DEL, or ESC), then select the bootable MemTest86 USB flash drive. The memory test will start automatically.

If it does return RAM errors, complete an internet search for the error code and type to discover your next course of action.

5. Reset System Overclocking

If you have overclocked your system in search of higher speeds, there is a chance you'll run into the WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR. The error often relates to incorrect or faulty voltages set during the overlock process, making your operating system unstable. The easiest way to cross this issue off the list is to reset your system BIOS and remove the effects of any overclocking.

You need to enter your system BIOS or UEFI menu. To do this, turn off your system. Next, turn your system back on, pressing your BIOS/UEFI menu access key as the system boots (common keys to enter the BIOS include F1, F2, F10, DEL, and ESC).

BIOS and UEFI settings vary by manufacturer, but menu titles are usually similar. You are looking for an Overclocking option. For the most part, overclocking options are found under the Advanced, Performance, Frequency, or Voltage menu.

Find the menu and reset your overclocking options. Resetting will return your system performance to its out-of-box state—but could also remove WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR in the process.

6. Update Your BIOS/UEFI Settings

Again, this process varies heavily depending on your system's motherboard manufacturer. Some BIOS/UEFI settings can automatically download and update using a desktop utility. Other manufacturers require you to download the BIOS update and flash the firmware yourself.

Unsure what motherboard you have? Download and run CPU-Z. Open the Mainboard tab and find your motherboard manufacturer and model. You can find your BIOS brand and version on this tab, too.

cpuz showing mainboard tab with bios information

Armed with this knowledge, complete an internet search for "[your motherboard manufacturer + model] bios update." For instance, I would search for "MSI X570 gaming plus bios update" for my system (Micro-Star International is MSI). You should find instructions, tutorials, and, if you're lucky, even a video or two.

7. Reset Your BIOS/UEFI Settings

If clearing your BIOS/UEFI overlock settings doesn't fix your WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR, try resetting your entire BIOS. Somewhere among the BIOS menus, there is an option to complete a full BIOS settings reset or load the default BIOS setup. Find the option and select it.

Note that this will remove any BIOS updates you've installed, which means you'll need to install them again afterward.

8. Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If nothing else fixes your WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR, you can use the Windows Reset function to refresh your system.

windows 10 recovery and reset pc options

Reset in Windows 10 and 11 replaces your system data with a completely fresh set of files. It will theoretically clear any lingering issues relating to WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR while keeping the majority of your important files intact.

  • On Windows 10, head to Settings > Update and Security > Recovery, then under Reset this PC, select Get started.
  • On Windows 11, head to Settings > System > Recovery, then next to Reset this PC, select Reset PC.

When you hit the button, your system restarts, so back up any important files beforehand. First, your system will restart, then you may select Keep my files or Remove everything. Selecting Keep my files will preserve your files and documents but remove your installed apps, whereas Remove everything is the more nuclear option, cleaning out your files and documents too.

Blue screen errors are frustrating; even more so if you genuinely don't understand which piece of hardware is causing the issue. The fixes above will fix your WHEA error, but remember, playing with your hardware could cause it to come back.