How to fix Machine Check Exception in Windows 11
- Several users after upgrading to Windows 11 have reported encountering the Machine Check Exception BSOD error.
- The possible fixes are, disconnecting all non-critical peripherals, updating the drivers, performing the SFC and Check Disk scan, running Startup Repair, amongst other fixes listed below.
- All find out all there's about BSOD errors and the ways to prevent them.
We are all aware of the BSOD or Blue Screen of Death errors, and how they cause the OS to crash. These have been a part of the Windows ecosystem for years now, and indicate a major issue with the hardware or software.
In this article, we will be taking up the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11.
When dealing with the BSOD errors, or any other for that matter, it’s imperative that you first identify the underlying cause. But, that’s the tricky part since the stop code accompanying the error doesn’t divulge much about it.
Therefore in the following sections, we will begin with the causes and then walk you through the most effective methods to eliminate the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11.
What are the causes for Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11?
There are a bunch of issues that cause the Machine Check Exception BSOD error in Windows 11, and these have to do both with the hardware and software aspects of the PC. We have listed them below.
- Corrupt system files
- Malfunctioning or outdated drivers
- Propblems with the hardware
- Issues with the RAM
- Overclocking
If you can identify the underlying cause from the above list, head to the relevant method and execute it. Nevertheless, you can execute them in the listed sequence for quick troubleshooting, in case you are unable to pinpoint a single issue.
How can I fix Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11?
1. Disconnect non-critical peripherals
Your primary approach when dealing with the Machine Check Exception error is to disconnect the non-critical peripherals. Many of these devices are known to conflict with the functioning of the OS and cause a bunch of errors.
Hence, start disconnecting the non-critical peripherals such as the printer, speakers, amongst other similar devices. Once done, restart the PC and check if the error is eliminated.
2. Update drivers
- Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.
- Next, double-click on the Display adapters entry to view the devices under it.
- Right-click on the graphics adapter and then select Update driver from the context menu.
- Now, select Search automatically for drivers from the two options in the Update Drivers window to scan for the best available driver on the system.
Outdated drivers are one of the prime causes of most BSOD errors along with other intricate issues. Updating the driver not only eliminates these errors but also enhances the performance of the device. Hence, it’s recommended that you update the driver to the latest version.
The Device Manager method listed above looks for the updated version of the driver only on the system, basically acting as an offline update. So, there’s a good chance of the driver not being updated via this method, in case you haven’t downloaded one earlier.
In that case, you can look for the updated version in Windows Update or manually download and install it from the manufacturer’s website.
Similarly, you can update the drivers for other devices to fix the Windows Check Exception error in Windows 11.
If that sounds like too much trouble, you can use a third-party tool. We recommend using DriverFix, a dedicated utility that scans all available sources for the latest version and keeps the installed drivers up-to-date.
3. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
- Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Memory Diagnostic in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result.
- Next, select Restart now and check for problems (recommended) from two options.
Make sure to save any open work before running the memory diagnostic tool to avoid data loss. After the system restarts, check if the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11 is fixed. If not, head to the next method.
4. Perform SFC and Check Disk scan
- Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
- Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
- Next, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and then select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch the Command Prompt tab in Windows Terminal.
- Now, type/paste the following command and hit Enter to run the SFC scan.
sfc /scannow - Once it’s complete, execute the following command to run the Check Disk utility.
chkdsk /r - Now, restart the computer.
The SFC (System File Checker) scan locates the corrupt system files on the system, and if any are found, replaces them with their cached copy stored on the system. If running this scan doesn’t help, Check Disk should come to your rescue.
The Check Disk is a built-in utility to identify and automatically fix any problems with the hard drive including bad sectors and corrupt files. It scans the whole drive instead of just the Windows system files, as was the case with the SFC scan. This is a handy utility known to fix most errors pertaining to the storage drive.
After running both the scans, check if the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11 is eliminated
5. Run Startup Repair
- Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and then click on Recovery on the right in the System tab.
- Next, click on the Restart now button next to Advanced startup.
- Wait for the computer to restart and enter Windows RE (Recovery Environment), and then select Troubleshoot.
- Next, select Advanced options.
- Finally, click on Startup Repair to fix issues with the OS that are causing the BSOD errors.
The Startup repair is known to diagnose and eliminate issues with the OS and any other corruptions. Though it will take some time to complete, the process is known to fix a lot of errors. Once the system restarts, check if the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11 is resolved.
6. Remove overclocking
Overclocking is getting more juice out of the hardware by making advanced modifications. You are required to increase the voltage input along with several other changes to get productivity higher than that certified by the manufacturer. There is a bunch of software that help in overclocking the CPU.
But on the flip side, overclocking is known to cause several issues with the functioning of the PC. So, if the other methods listed here don’t work and you have overclocked the system, it’s recommended that you revert the changes.
After you remove overclocking, check if the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11 is eliminated.
7. Check system hardware
If none of the fixes mentioned above have helped fix the error, the problem likely lies with the hardware itself. In which case, you will be required to check the various system components, verify if they are properly connected and functioning effectively.
In case you are not acquainted with the hardware, it’s best that seek professional help. A small lapse while dealing with the hardware can damage it and the connected equipment, thereby effectively ruining your system.
How can I prevent BSOD error in Windows?
Preventing BSOD errors makes much more sense than troubleshooting them once they occur. This is because they are known to cause loss of unsaved data due to the sudden crash, along with affecting the functioning of the Windows.
To do this, make sure that you have the latest drivers installed and that none are corrupt, the connected hardware and peripherals are all compatible, there is no problem with the memory or storage drive, and no conflicting applications are installed.
If you manage to get these aspects right, the chances of encountering the Machine Check Exception error, along with the other BSOD errors in Windows 11 will be reduced by a great extent.
That’s all there’s about the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 11 along with the most relevant fixes for it. If the fixes listed above don’t work, perform a system restore or reset Windows 11 to its factory settings.
Also, if you encounter the error in the previous iteration, learn how to fix the Machine Check Exception error in Windows 10.
Tell us which fix worked along with your experience of Windows 11 thus far in the comments section below.
