We can help you if you don’t test your PC’s RAM for problems. For example, your PC’s RAM might be an issue if it runs slow or feels unstable. We’ll guide you through several approaches to help you figure out what’s wrong. For Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, you can either use Windows’ built-in utilities or third-party solutions.
How to test your PC’s RAM for problems?
The working memory is its random access memory (RAM). Data is constantly written to RAM and read back by the operating system and apps. When you visit a page like this one, your browser saves it in RAM as you read it. When you start a PC game, data from slower system storage is loaded into fast RAM.
What is a RAM testing tool?
If your RAM dies, you can experience program crashes, a blue screen of death (BSOD), and other problems.
You may use several tools to see if your RAM is faulty. These applications write data to each sector of your computer’s RAM and then read it in sequential order. If the tool returns a different result, your RAM is faulty.
You’ll need to boot your computer with a bootable image to use the best RAM testing tools. This allows Windows (or another operating system) to get out of the way, allowing complete program control over your RAM. Devices, such as HCI Design’s MemTest, can run from Windows, but they aren’t very reliable. Therefore, we do not advise them.
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Windows includes a built-in RAM testing tool. Versions of Windows, including Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11, are compatible with it. To use this tool, go through the following steps:
- Start by going to the Start menu.
- “Windows Memory Diagnostic” is the command to use.
- You can also use Run.exe to open the tool by typing “mdsched.exe” and pressing Enter.
- You’ll need to restart your computer to run the test. During the test, you will not be able to use your computer.
- “Restart now and check for issues (recommended)” should be chosen.
- The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool screen will appear once you reboot. Allow it to run its course. A progress bar and a “Status” message will show if any problems are identified during the operation.
- Your computer will reboot automatically after the process is completed. After you log in, the test results will show.
- If the results aren’t showing automatically, take these steps:
- Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
- Choose “Event Viewer” from the drop-down menu.
- First, go to system> Windows Logs.
- Next, click “Find” from the drop-down menu. It’s on the right side of the road.
- Click “Find Next” before typing “MemoryDiagnostic.”
S should give the results to you as a prompt.
MemTest86
You can download and use MemTest86 if you want more powerful testing tools. It performs more tests than the Windows test, and it may find problems that the latter cannot. The premium version of this application has more functions, but the free version should also work. MemTest86 is Windows, so it will work properly.
MemTest86 is a program that can transfer to a USB device. To build a bootable USB drive, just run the EXE file provided with the download, then add a spare USB drive.
When you save a MemTest86 image to a USB device, the disc’s contents are deleted. Therefore, before writing to the USB device, ensure you’ve backed up any critical data.
Once you’ve created bootable media, restart your PC and tell it to boot from the USB device where you copied the memory test tool. The application will begin to load, and after a few seconds, it will start scanning your memory for problems.
It will keep running tests until you tell it to stop, allowing you to see how the memory functions over a more extended period. Will display any problems on your screen. Click the “Esc” key to exit it and restart your computer when you’re finished.
What should I do if RAM tests reveal problems?
If memory tests reveal problems, your RAM is most likely broken and has to be replaced. If your computer is still under warranty, we recommend contacting the manufacturer for help.
If you have some extra RAM, consider switching out your present RAM sticks to check if your computer will work properly with different RAM. Alternatively, if your PC has many memory slots, remove one to see how it affects performance.
If you built your computer or installed your RAM, there’s a chance that the RAM won’t work with your motherboard. It’s also conceivable that your RAM can’t keep up with the current speeds, in which case you should slow down or stop in your UEFI or BIOS settings.
You may perform the RAM test again after making a change to see if anything has changed.
