How to Fix WHEA Unrecoverable Error on Windows

January 24, 2023

If you find yourself getting an unrecoverable WHEA error on Windows, don't panic - it can be fixed relatively quickly if you follow these instructions.

Microsoft Windows has been known to have issues with some hardware, especially if you are using new hardware or hardware that you never had.

What is WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR in Windows?

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR is a Stop Error message indicating that Windows has encountered a serious problem. This error can be caused by hardware or software issues resulting in data loss and instability.

To fix this error, you can try troubleshooting the hardware or software that is causing the problem, or you can use a system restore point to roll back your system to a previous state. If these solutions don't work, you may need to take more drastic measures, such as performing a hard reset. But before that, be sure to back up all your files.

First, you can try this simple method to enable DEP (Data Execution Prevention)

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and click File->New Task (Run).
Enter the task name in CMD in the text box.
Click OK.
Right-click Command Prompt in the task list in Task Manager and select "Run as administrator".
When CMD opens, type bcdedit /set nx AlwaysOff.
Press "Enter" when you're done typing this command line.
Restart your computer to complete this process and continue using Windows without errors!

Top Causes of Unrecoverable WHEA Error

Several different reasons can cause the fatal WHEA error to appear on your Windows computer. It could be a problem with your hardware, BIOS, or drivers. It is also possible that there is a problem with your computer's setup.

If you're not sure what the root cause of the problem is, you can try troubleshooting by looking at each of these potential causes.

Start with the simplest and work your way up until you find a solution. If none of these work for you, contact Microsoft Support. They will have more ideas to fix the problem if you explain what happens when you get an error and how often it happens.

Start by checking your computer's compatibility with the software you're trying to use. Next, check your BIOS settings. Sometimes BIOS settings need to be updated after installing new hardware or other settings for them to take effect. Make sure your computer has all the latest updates and all required device drivers.

You may need additional programs to do this, so download them from their website or make sure they're pre-installed on your computer before you update anything else. Finally, make sure everything is set up correctly in Windows, such as file permissions and associations.

How to Fix a Fatal WHEA Error

A fatal WHEA error can be fixed in several ways, depending on the cause. You will need to replace the affected component if you receive an error due to a hardware issue.

If a driver issue is causing the error, you can try updating or reinstalling the driver. If there is a problem with your BIOS, you may need to update it.

Also, if a software issue is causing the error, you can try repairing or reinstalling Windows. You can also run Memtest86+ and stress test your system to make sure everything is working properly. Finally, you can find possible fixes for the WHEA unrecoverable error online.

In most cases, a simple Google search will yield many different answers. These articles offer suggestions such as resetting BIOS settings to default, checking to see if an incompatible device is causing the problem, or making sure the motherboard is well ventilated.

Follow Microsoft's instructions to create a bootable USB drive from another computer. One of these solutions was better than just restarting the computer without changing anything.

Follow the instructions below to find out what you should do if you ever encounter a fatal WHEA error on Windows.

Update BIOS

If you are getting an unrecoverable WHEA error, you should update your BIOS first. This is because an outdated BIOS can cause the error. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the software built into the motherboard that is responsible for starting the computer. Updating the BIOS might fix the problem, so it's worth trying to update it before anything else.

Several ways to check for new updates available:

Check the manufacturer's site.
Launching the BIOS update utility from the computer's operating system, or installing a third-party program such as ASUS Live Update Utility or HP Support Assistant.
The BIOS may notify you of new updates after the computer restarts and the OS loads.

Connect your computer to an internet connection and view the router's list of connected devices, which should include the computer's name with the message "Firmware updates available."

Contact your PC manufacturer's support or call them and ask about available updates - download a third party tool like CPU-Z.
Download and run the Intel Processor Identification Utility.
Download and run the diagnostic tool to see what BIOS version you have and contact support for more information on updated versions.

Checking for fraudulent programs/viruses

If the BIOS update does not work on your PC or laptop, follow these steps:

Run a full scan with your antivirus software.
Some viruses can cause blue screens, black screens, or even cycles where the screen constantly turns on and off, all clear signs of malicious activity going on in the background without being detected.
You can also reboot into Safe Mode with Networking to run a scan, since malware usually doesn't run when Windows is idle.

After rebooting in safe mode, press "F8" several times until a menu appears; use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter to continue. Then follow the steps listed above for scanning.
After that, exit Safe Mode with Network Neighborhood by pressing "Ctrl + Alt + Delete".
Then press "Enter" again to log into your regular account and reboot normally. If the problem persists, refer to step 3 below.

Run Hardware Diagnostics

If you're still getting a fatal WHEA error after doing the first two steps, it's probably a hardware issue. To check this, you can run hardware diagnostics.

Press "Windows Key + X + A" and type "msinfo32". Click the Download tab and check for errors (hint: use CTRL+F to search).

Once you find the error, follow the troubleshooting process for that particular device.
You will need Google or YouTube instructions on how to replace a particular component. You can also consult a technician if you are not sure what to do next.
For example, we've seen many people swap out their RAM only to realize they need to replace their graphics card.
These are just examples of issues that could be causing your fatal WHEA error.

Check your RAM

If you are getting an unrecoverable WHEA error, there is most likely something wrong with your RAM. You should run a memory test to see if your RAM is causing the problem. You can use free tools like Memtest86+ or Intel Memory Diagnostic Tool.

If the tests return without errors, the issue might be with your graphics card driver and you should contact that particular vendor or hardware manufacturer for support.

However, if these tests show errors in your system memory, you should replace these parts before continuing. When people get a fatal WHEA error, they think their computer is broken and buy a new one. When in fact all they needed was new RAM!

Disable fastboot mode

Press the Windows logo key + R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
Type "Control" in the "Run" dialog box and press "Enter" to open the Control Panel.
Select Hardware and Sound > Power Options > System Preferences from the Control Panel.
Under Shutdown Options, uncheck Turn on Fast Startup (Recommended) and click Save Changes.

Close the Control Panel and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
After your computer restarts, press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog box again.
Type "MSConfig" in the Run dialog box and press Enter to open System Configuration.
Go to the "Boot" tab in the "System Configuration" window and disable all services except "Secure Boot" by checking the appropriate boxes next to them.

Click the Apply button to save your changes and close the System Configuration window.
Restart your computer after successfully completing these steps to ensure there are no WHEA errors.
Check if any updates are available from Windows Update if you want to keep your system up to date with the latest security and software fixes.
If an update is not available or the update does not resolve the issue, contact support. They will be happy to help!
Enjoy a hassle-free experience with WHEA bug fixes.

Disable overclocking

If you have overclocked your CPU, GPU, or RAM, try resetting their speeds to their default values. Overclocking can cause a WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR error if your components go beyond their limits. To reset the processor:

Open the BIOS menu. This is usually done by pressing a key during boot, such as F2, Esc or Del.
Locate the "CPU Settings" or "Overclock" menu.
Reset all values to default values.
Save and exit settings and restart your computer (a reboot should be enough).

Repeat steps 3-5 for any other overclock settings in the BIOS menu (such as memory frequency, voltage control, etc.).
After the reboot, re-run Memtest86+ overnight and ensure that no errors are found before proceeding with step 7 in this tutorial.

Remove duplicate network adapters

If you have multiple network adapters installed on your computer, this could be the cause of the WHEA fatal error. To remove duplicate adapters, follow these steps:

Open Device Manager.
Expand the "Network Adapters" section.
Right-click each adapter and select Remove device.
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Clear up space on your hard drive

Your computer may run out of hard drive space, which can lead to all sorts of problems. Start uninstalling programs you don't use to free up hard drive space.

Then delete any files you don't need such as temporary files, caches and cookies. You can also use a tool like CCleaner to automate the process. Finally, consider upgrading to a larger hard drive if you're still having space issues.

Summary

A fatal WHEA error is a serious problem that can cause your computer to crash. However, there are a few things you can do to try and fix this. First, make sure you have the latest drivers for your hardware. You can try resetting the BIOS or installing a clean Windows if that doesn't work. If all else fails, you may need the support of your manufacturer.