Question:

How to troubleshoot frequent BSODs without memory dump files in Windows 11?

I have been experiencing constant Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors on my Windows 11 PC for the last three months. The BSODs are unpredictable and occur at random intervals, sometimes multiple times in a day. I have searched online for possible solutions, but none of them worked for me. The main problem is that my PC does not generate any memory dump files when it crashes, which makes it difficult to diagnose the root cause of the BSODs. I have tried changing the memory dump settings to small, complete, and automatic, but none of them produced any dump files. What could be the reason for this and how can I fix it?

Answer:

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors are one of the most frustrating and common issues that Windows users face. They indicate that something has gone wrong with your system and that it needs to restart. However, sometimes the BSODs are so frequent and random that they make your PC unusable. This is the situation that many Windows 11 users have reported, especially after upgrading from Windows 10.

One of the main challenges of troubleshooting BSODs is finding out what caused them in the first place. Windows usually creates a memory dump file when it crashes, which contains information about the state of the system at the time of the error. This file can be analyzed by using tools such as Windows Debugger (WinDbg) or BlueScreenView to identify the faulty driver, hardware, or software that triggered the BSOD.

However, some Windows 11 users have complained that their PC does not generate any memory dump files when it crashes, even though they have enabled the memory dump settings in the System Properties. This makes it even harder to diagnose and fix the BSODs, as there is no clue about what went wrong.

If you are facing this problem, here are some possible solutions that you can try:

• Check your disk space. One of the reasons why Windows may not create a memory dump file is that there is not enough free space on your system drive (usually C:). You need at least as much free space as the size of your RAM to store a complete memory dump file, or 1 GB for a small memory dump file. You can check your disk space by opening File Explorer and right-clicking on your system drive, then selecting Properties. If you are running low on disk space, you can try to free up some space by deleting unnecessary files, uninstalling unused programs, or using the Disk Cleanup tool.
• Check your page file size. Another reason why Windows may not create a memory dump file is that your page file size is too small or disabled. The page file is a reserved area on your hard disk that acts as an extension of your RAM. Windows uses the page file to store some of the memory contents when it crashes, so it needs to be large enough to accommodate the memory dump file. You can check your page file size by opening System Properties, clicking on the Advanced tab, then clicking on the Settings button under Performance. In the Performance Options window, click on the Advanced tab, then click on the Change button under Virtual memory. Make sure that the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option is checked, or that you have manually set a custom size that is at least as large as your RAM.
• Check your memory dump settings. You also need to make sure that you have selected the correct type and location of the memory dump file in the System Properties. There are three types of memory dump files that you can choose from: Small memory dump (256 KB), Complete memory dump, and Automatic memory dump. The small memory dump file only contains the basic information about the BSOD, such as the stop code, the parameters, and the loaded drivers. The complete memory dump file contains the entire contents of your RAM, which can be very large and take a long time to write. The automatic memory dump file is a compromise between the two, as it contains the most relevant information about the BSOD, such as the kernel memory and the process memory of the crashed application. You can select the type of memory dump file by opening System Properties, clicking on the Advanced tab, then clicking on the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. In the Startup and Recovery window, under System failure, select the option that you prefer from the Write debugging information drop-down menu. You also need to specify the location of the memory dump file, which is usually %SystemRoot%\MEMORY.DMP by default. You can change the location by typing a different path in the Dump file box, or by browsing to a different folder. Make sure that the folder that you choose has enough disk space and write permissions.
• Check your BIOS settings. Sometimes, the BIOS settings of your PC may prevent Windows from creating a memory dump file. For example, some BIOS options may disable the write caching or the write buffer of your hard disk, which can affect the performance and the reliability of your disk. You can check your BIOS settings by restarting your PC and pressing the appropriate key (usually Del, F2, F10, or F12) to enter the BIOS setup. Look for any options that may relate to the disk write caching or the write buffer, and make sure that they are enabled. You may also need to update your BIOS to the latest version, as some older versions may have bugs or compatibility issues with Windows 11.
• Check your hardware and drivers. Finally, if none of the above solutions work, you may have a hardware or driver problem that causes the BSODs and prevents the memory dump files from being created. You can try to update your drivers to the latest versions, as some drivers may be outdated or incompatible with Windows 11. You can update your drivers by using the Device Manager, the Windows Update, or the manufacturer’s website. You can also try to run a hardware diagnostic test, as some hardware components may be faulty or overheating. You can run a hardware diagnostic test by using the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, the Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter, or the manufacturer’s utility.

Hopefully,

these solutions will help you troubleshoot and fix the frequent BSODs without memory dump files in Windows 11. If you still have problems, you can contact the Microsoft support team or visit the Microsoft community forums for more help. Good luck!