Summary: The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a built-in utility for checking RAM modules for memory-related issues. While running the tool, some users have reported encountering a strange ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message. Let’s read more about this error in this blog and look at some possible ways to fix it.
From hardware troubleshooters to command prompt-based utilities, Microsoft provides a bundle of features in Windows OS to fix various issues. One such ingenious tool is the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, which detects various memory-related problems and fixes them.
Out of the long list of memory issues the tool can address, there is a common error message, ‘Hardware problems were detected’ that users encounter sometimes. This error can occur due to a bad RAM module or other problems like corrupted system files, overclocked components, etc. Let’s read further to understand more about this error message.
What is the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool Hardware Problems Were Detected Error Message?
While running the Windows memory diagnostic tool, if a memory-related issue is encountered, your system shows the ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message. The error message usually indicates a bad or damaged memory module. Other reasons behind this error message could be –
- Corrupted drivers
- Corrupted system files
- Overclocking causing overheating
- Failing hardware like PSU or Motherboard
Methods to Fix the ‘Hardware Problems Were Detected’ Error Message
The Windows Memory Diagnostic ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message is an annoying issue that hinders our work and in rare cases, prevents us from accessing our data. In this section, we will look at some methods to resolve it.
Quick Fixes –
Before moving on to the methods to get rid of the Windows Memory Diagnostic ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message, let’s look at some quick fixes.
- Check for hardware connections and damage to cables.
- If you have overclocked any components like CPU or GPU, disable the overclocking and return them to their default settings.
- If there are any pending device drivers or OS updates available, install them.
- Now, restart your computer and re-run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to see if the error is resolved.
Main Methods –
If the quick fixes mentioned above provide no resolution for the ‘hardware problems were detected’ error, proceed with the methods explained below.
Method 1: Run the Hardware Troubleshooter
The built-in Windows hardware troubleshooter is used to scan for any hardware-related issues. If you can boot your computer while still receiving the ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message, then you can run the Hardware troubleshooter via CMD. For this, you will have to open the command prompt with administrator privileges and then execute the command. Simply follow the steps listed below –
- Open a command prompt (administrator) instance and type the following command – msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
- Press Enter to execute the command.
- It will open the hardware and device troubleshooter window. Click on Next.
- The tool will look for any hardware issues and report them back. Follow the instructions as displayed by the wizard.
- After the process, restart your computer to see if the issue is resolved.
Note – If you are unable to boot the computer normally, reboot your computer and press and hold the F8 key to enter WinRE. Once inside, navigate to CMD and execute the above-mentioned command.
Method 2: Check the Memory Modules
If the hardware troubleshooter could not find any issue, an error with the RAM stick/s could be causing the “hardware problems were detected” error message.
In such a scenario, power off your computer and check the RAM sticks for any damaged pins or other damage. Ensure that they are seated properly on the motherboard.
Once these checks are done, power ON the computer and follow the steps below to run the MemTest86 tool. It is a freeware used to test memory modules for errors or failures. Here’s what to do –
- Open your web browser and download MemTest86.
- To run MemTest86, you will first need to create a media creation tool. Follow the instructions to do this.
- Run Memtest86 by following the instructions as per the manual.
Memtest86 will scan the memory modules for any malfunctions or errors and bring them out. You can then take appropriate steps to fix the underlying issue. However, if this tool doesn’t show any errors, there might be missing, damaged, or corrupted system files. To fix that, you will need to do a clean installation of Windows OS. You can learn about it in the next method.
Pro Tip
The Windows Memory Diagnostic ‘Hardware problems were detected’ error message can occur due to corrupted or missing system files. This corruption can cause frequent system crashes, leading to an unbootable computer and an inaccessible hard drive. You can fix such severe issues by performing a clean installation of Windows OS.
However, while performing a clean boot, the wizard removes all the installed apps and stored files to give the computer a fresh start. Hence, doing so might cause data loss. Therefore, before proceeding with this, you will have to recover your data.
To recover your data from an unbootable computer, you can take the help of a professional data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional and save yourself from a difficult data loss scenario. Follow our detailed guide on how to recover data from an unbootable computer.
Method 3: Clean Install Windows OS
As corrupted system files can cause various issues, replacing them with healthy equivalents becomes necessary. Doing a clean install of Windows OS on your computer will remove everything from your PC and install the OS from scratch.
Once you have recovered all your data from the unbootable computer, reinstall Windows OS on your computer.
‘Hardware Problems Were Detected’ Error Message Resolved
While running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, you might run into a strange ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message. This error message is a result of various reasons, such as faulty hardware, corrupted system files and more. If you have encountered this error message recently, run the hardware troubleshooter to get to the bottom of it and quickly resolve any minor issues. Apart from the methods explained above, you can also try resetting CMOS to fix this issue.
FAQs
Q. What to do if the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool shows the ‘hardware problems were detected’ error message?
A. Disabling overclocked components or running the hardware troubleshooter can help you resolve the error message.
Q. How do I fix hardware issues related to RAM?
A. You can try plugging the RAM stick in another slot to see if the hardware issue is resolved. If you still face RAM-related issues, it means your RAM stick is at fault. Replace it with a new one.
Q. How do I know if my RAM is failing?
A. There are various tools like Memtest86 or Windows Memory diagnostic tool to check whether your RAM is failing.
