Windows BSOD WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (0x00000124) — Hardware Failure

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR is a critical BSOD caused by hardware failures including overheating CPU, faulty RAM, or failing storage drives that Windows cannot correct. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Stop code 0x00000124 — Windows Hardware Error Architecture detected an uncorrectable fault. WHEA logs detailed hardware error records in Event Viewer. Most commonly caused by CPU overheating, bad RAM, or SSD/HDD failures. Overclocking is one of the most frequent triggers for this BSOD. Parameter 1 indicates error source: 0=processor, 1=PCI Express, 2=NMI. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: CPU overheating due to dried thermal paste or blocked heatsink. Unstable CPU or RAM overclock settings. Failing RAM modules with uncorrectable bit errors. SSD or HDD with bad sectors or firmware bugs. Power supply delivering unstable voltage to components. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Check CPU temperatures with HWMonitor or Core Temp — sustained temps above 90°C are dangerous. Reset BIOS to default settings to remove any overclocking. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe) and MemTest86 for thorough RAM testing. Check drive health with CrystalDiskInfo — look for reallocated sectors and pending sectors. Reseat RAM sticks and test one at a time to isolate a faulty module. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Windows Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.