How to Fix the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION Error on Windows 10 [MiniTool Tips]

What is MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION (MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION)? It is a stop code that often accompanied by Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and in most cases, it is not a one-off.

The MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error can cause multiple serious issues on your computer and can appear in different situations, but you don’t need to worry about it too much because there are several methods mentioned in this post that can fix the error.

Causes of the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION Error

To begin with, you need to know the causes of the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error. Actually, most BSODs appear because of hardware issues. There are also some other reasons, and the detailed causes of the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error are listed below:

  • CPU is overheating because there is too much dust on the CPU heatsink and fan.
  • Hardware is overlocking.
  • Motherboard and memory fail.
  • Drivers are out-of-date.
  • System errors relating to hardware appear.

Then how to fix the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error after knowing the causes of the error? Before you fix the error, there are two things you need to know:

  • If you can boot your computer, then you should boot your computer in Safe Mode to fix the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error in case that other problems appear.
  • However, if you cannot boot your computer, then you should create installation media to boot your computer.

Method 1: Disconnect Your DVD and Additional Hard Drives

If you meet the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error when you try to install Windows 10 using an external device, then you can try to disconnect your DVD and any other additional hard drives that you have installed.

And this is because sometimes the operating system you try to install is not compatible with the drivers of external devices or the Windows cannot find out the driver of the installation hard drive.

Therefore, in order to solve the stop code MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION Windows 10, you’d better remove all the unwanted external devices and only leave the installation hard drive connected.

Then try to install Windows 10 again and then check if this error still appears. And if this method doesn’t fix this error, then you can try the following ones.

Method 2: Check Your Hardware Physically

The culprit of the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error may be the faulty hardware. Therefore, you’d better physically check your hardware such as RAM, motherboard and so on.

You should check if the RAM is put correctly, the CPU heatsink is installed in place, and the GPU is shifted. Besides, you should remove the dust from your fans.

When you confirm that there is no problem with your hardware, then you can reboot your computer to check if the error is fixed.

What’s more, if the error appears after you installed new hardware, then you can try to uninstall it to check if the error still occurs.

If this method doesn’t work, try the following methods.

Method 3: Update Windows

Making your operating system up to date can avoid many problems appearing and also can fix a number of errors. Therefore, you should check if there is any available Windows update for your computer. And if there is, install it.

Now follow the instructions below to install available Windows updates:

Step 1: Press the Win + I keys at the same time to open Settings and then choose Update & Security.

Step 2: Click Windows Update and then choose Check for updates on the right side of the screen.

Step 3: If there are updates available, Windows will start to download them automatically. Then restart your computer to perform the installation process.

Step 4: After your operating system is up-to-date, then reboot your computer to see whether the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error is gone. If not, try the next methods.

Method 4: Update Your Drivers

The outdated driver is the most common cause of many errors, so updating your drivers may help you to fix the Windows 10 MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error. Here is the tutorial:

Step 1: Press the Win + X keys at the same time to choose Device Manager, and then right-click the problematic driver to choose Update driver.

Step 2: Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish updating the driver.

Step 4: Reboot your computer and then check if the error is gone.

Method 5: Run the BSOD Troubleshooter

There is a powerful built-in feature on Windows 10 – Troubleshoot, and you can use this tool to get rid of many kinds of problems, including the BSOD errors. Thus, you can use this tool to fix the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error. Here is a quick guide:

Step 1: Click Start and then choose Settings.

Step 2: Choose Update & Security and then click Troubleshoot.

Step 3: Choose Blue Screen under the Find and fix other problems section to click Run the troubleshooter.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the troubleshooter.

Step 5: Restart your computer and then see if the error is fixed.

Method 6: Run the SFC Scan

As you know, missing system files or corrupted system files can cause a lot of serious errors, including the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error. But luckily, there is a powerful built-in feature that you can use to scan and repair the system files – the System File Checker (SFC).

But before you run this tool, you should run the DISM to make sure that the SFC can work properly. Here is a quick guide:

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box and then right-click Command Prompt to click Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth in the Command Prompt window, then press Enter.

Step 3: Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt window and then press Enter.

Step 4: Wait for your computer to scan whether you have damaged system files. If there are, Windows will fix them automatically.

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Step 5: Restart your computer and then check if the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error still occurs, if it does, try the following methods.

Method 7: Run CHKDSK

You can also run Windows Check Disk to scan and repair any errors with your hard drive that cause BSOD. Here is the tutorial:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator as mentioned above.

Step 2: Type chkdsk /r in the Command Prompt window and then press Enter.

Step 3: Wait for the command to finish and then restart your computer to check if the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error is fixed.

Method 8: Reset This PC

If none of the methods above can help you to fix the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error, then you’d better reset your computer. There is a useful built-in tool you can use on Windows 10 – Reset this PC. Follow the instructions below to reset your PC:

Step 1: Click Update & Security on the Settings page.

Step 2: Choose Recovery and click Get Started under the Reset this PC section on the right panel.

Step 3: Choose whether to Keep my files or Remove everything while resetting your PC.

Step 4: Follow the prompts on the screen to finish the process.

Step 5: Restart your computer and then check if the error still appears.

I finally have found the useful methods to fix the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error in this post and I also know the causes of the error.Click to Tweet

Useful Suggestion

When you use your computer, you could encounter a number of unpredictable troubles such as system crash, power failure, BSOD, virus attack and so on that can cause data loss. Therefore, you should back up your files regularly in order to protect your data.

But how to back up data safely and quickly? It is highly recommended that you should use MiniTool ShadowMaker – a piece of professional and wonderful backup and restore software.

There are multiple useful features of MiniTool ShadowMaker and some of them have been listed below:

  • Backup: You can use it to back up files and folders, disks and partitions, and even the operating system. And there are four different backup locations that you can choose: Administrative, Libraries, Computer, and Shared.
  • Restore: You can use it to restore everything you have backed up before.
  • Sync: You can use it to sync files and folders to other locations.
  • Disk Clone: You can use it to create a bootable external hard drive and clone simple volumes in the dynamic disks.

What’s better, you can use MiniTool ShadowMaker for free within 30 days, so just download it and have a try.

Free Download

Here are the detailed instructions about how to use MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up files:

Step 1: Install and launch MiniTool ShadowMaker, then click Keep Trial.

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Step 2: Choose Connect under This Computer to enter the main interface.

Step 3: Go to the Backup page. Click Source and then select Files and folder.

Step 4: Select all the files and folders that you want to back up and then click OK.

Step 5: Click Destination to choose where you want to save the backup image and then click OK. And it is recommended to save the backup image to the external hard drive.

Step 6: After you have confirmed the backup source and destination, then click Back up Now to start backing up files and folders.

After you have finished these steps, then you may have backed up your important files to the external hard drive successfully.

Bottom Line

To sum up, if you encounter the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error, you should find out what causes this error and try these methods mentioned above to fix it. In order to avoid data loss when encountering this error or some other errors, you should back up your data regularly.

If you have any better suggestions to get rid of the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error or have any confusion about the methods, leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].

— Update: 26-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article Machine Check Exception: Fix this Stop Code in 7 Easy Steps from the website windowsreport.com for the keyword machine check exception.

Discover tried-and-true strategies vetted by our team of specialists

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors are one of the most dreaded ones since these crash the OS. And amongst these, the Machine Check Exception error is complicated.

Several underlying causes often make identifying the one with the concerned device challenging.

So, we have come up with the best ways to fix the Machine Check Exception error. But before we walk you through that, let’s first understand a bit about the error.

What causes Machine Check Exception?

The dreaded Machine Check Exception Blue Screen of Death is displayed if your computer’s operating system cannot load or recognize any piece of hardware or software installed. But, of course, it could also be the drivers and corrupt or missing system files to blame.

Some of the situations you can encounter the Machine Check Exception error are:

  • Machine Check Exception overclock – Many users tend to overclock their hardware to get maximum performance. Unfortunately, this often leads to the BSOD error.
  • Machine Check Exception during Windows 10 install – Few users reported this issue as soon as they installed Windows 10. According to them, the problem was caused by incompatible hardware or a bad driver.
  • Machine Check Exception cache hierarchy error – The error is encountered due to overclocking or malfunctioning hardware. Check for both these aspects.
  • Machine Check Exception logging daemon – Those running the CentOS receive this error, usually due to issues with the processor.
  • Machine Check Exception stuck at 0 – Many users reported that the Machine Check Exception blue screen is stuck at 0. Here, you may use the power button to restart the computer.
  • Machine Check Exception bus/interconnect error – Updating the BIOS should do the trick for most users.
  • Machine Check Exception clock watchdog timeout – Use the dedicated Windows restoration tool below to fix this issue.
  • Uncorrectable Machine Check Exception – Update the device drivers as we have shown in our third solution below.
  • Machine Check Exception in Windows 7, 10, 11 on boot – This error is prevalent on all Windows iterations, but the solutions are similar.

Why does the Machine Check Exception appear on Windows 10 after a fresh install?

This is a BSOD error, which appears due to hardware problems, most likely the RAM. So it’s advised to scan and replace the RAM sticks if needed.

But when it appears after a fresh install, it’s most likely an incompatible or corrupt driver to blame. And the easiest solution would be to download the latest version of the problematic driver.

How do I fix Stop Code Machine Check Exception?

In this article

Let’s first try a few things before heading to the slightly complex solutions because of these fixed things for most:

  1. Power shut down the computer and see if the BSOD error reappears. It might have been a one-off thing if it doesn’t, and you are good to go.
  2. Check for overheating. Overheating doesn’t just lead to the Machine Check Exception error but can also damage the sensitive components.
  3. Remove any hardware that was recently connected to the PC.
  4. Check for dust accumulation inside the PC; if you find any, clear it immediately.
  5. If you are getting the Machine Check Exception error while installing Windows, disconnect any external hard drive connected to the PC. This method may work in other situations as well.

If you still see the Machine Check Exception error, the following fixes would do the trick:

1. Use a dedicated Windows restoration tool

The quickest way to attempt a fix for the issue is to run a fully-featured Windows restoration tool that will scan your system.

The program will also correct all issues related to not just corrupted or missing registry files but also to performance triggers and faulty .dll files.

Such a tool will save time and effort in finding the cause of the issue and trying out various other small troubleshooting solutions.

2. Run the Startup repair

1. Enter the Advanced Startup (Restart your computer while holding the Shift key).

2. Next, click on Troubleshoot.

3. Again, choose Advanced options.

4. Now, click on Startup Repair.

5. Select the user account and enter the password for it on the next screen.

6. Click Continue to initiate the Startup repair.

The PC’s built-in Startup Repair tool is likely to solve the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error. You can access it via Advanced Startup.

3. Update the drivers

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc, and click OK to open the Device Manager.
  2. Double-click on the Display adapters entry here.
  3. Now, right-click on the graphics adapter, and select Update driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers.
  5. Similarly, update the other drivers on the computer, especially the ones that haven’t been updated in a while.

For Windows 10 to recognize and use your hardware, the drivers have to be up-to-date, and if that’s not the case, your PC will crash while showing the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error.

Also, you can manually update the driver in case the Device Manager method doesn’t work. But doing it automatically is usually the best course of action.

Update drivers automatically

Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool automatically to do this for you.

Using an automatic driver updater will save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will keep your system updated with the latest drivers.

This app will help you with precisely this job, preventing any further PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions. 

This is yet another extremely user-friendly tool you might have to install in Safe Mode. But, with just two clicks, you can get your system up and running like brand new again.

⇒ Get DriverFix

4. Check for issues with the RAM

RAM or memory is the most critical piece of hardware responsible for Windows’s Machine Check Exception error. Therefore, before running tests on the RAM, we recommend checking if it’s properly seated. The best way is to remove the sticks and then place them back in firmly.

If that doesn’t help, run the Windows Memory Diagnostic, a built-in tool that automatically identifies and eliminates issues with the RAM.

Also, Memtest86+ is a third-party but highly effective advanced tool that finds out even the most intricate problems with RAM. So, if the built-in tool doesn’t work, you can run Memtest86+, which should do the trick in some cases.

5. Run the DISM and SFC scan

  1. Type Command Prompt in the Search bar, and click on Run as administrator.
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Now, paste the following three commands one at a time and hit Enter after each to run the DISM tool: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Once done, execute the following command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow

6. Update your BIOS

According to the users, the MACHINE CHECK EXCEPTION error can be caused by outdated BIOS, and if you want to fix it, you might have to update the BIOS in Windows.

This is one of the solutions known to fix a range of issues causing the BSOD error and improve the device’s functionality. However, remember that you have to be extra cautious during the process and ensure that there are no interruptions whatsoever.

7. Uninstall your graphics card driver

  1. Type Device Manager in the Search bar, and click on the relevant result.
  2. Double-click on Display adapters to expand it.
  3. Right-click on the display card and select Uninstall device.
  4. Tick the checkbox for Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click Uninstall.
  5. Restart your PC, and let Windows install the default GPU driver.

Although it’s recommended to use the latest drivers, sometimes they have specific issues, and it’s recommended to uninstall them and let Windows find and replace them with a compatible version.

If your device uses Nvidia drivers, here’s how you can safely uninstall Nvidia drivers.

That’s all there to fix the Machine Check Exception BSOD error in Windows. However, in error persists, you should consult a professional since the problem likely lies with the hardware.

Also, find out the causes of BSOD errors in Windows.

If you have any other queries or know of a method not listed here, drop a comment below.

Source: https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/machine-check-exception.html

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