Random BSODs when browsing caused by ntoskrnl.exe

Background
I build my system last year and even in the first weeks of my PC I got BSODs. Most of the time I got BSODs when I'm browsing especially when watching videos, however I also got them while idling or gaming.

Here's my system for a quick look:
SSD Drive: Samsung 500 GB 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 SSD
HDD Drive: WD 1TB Blue 64MB 7200 RPM
Graphics Card: Asus GeForce RTX2060 Dual 6G 6GB GDDR6 192 Bit
RAM: Kingston 16GB HyperX Fury Black 3200 mhz CL16 DDR4
Motherboard: Asus B450-Plus Prime 2133 mhz - 3200 mhz (OC) AM4 ATX
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.40 Ghz 19MB AM4 12nm
Windows: Pro, Version 2004, OS Build 19041.388

Because my hardware are relatively new, I thought it maybe related to a software issue and I should wait for more updates that will increase stability. However, it seems like it won't get solved by updates. I didn't collect all minidump files but I always checked what causes it using a software called bluescreenview-x64 . 95% of the time it is caused by ntoskrnl.exe.

I searched for these error codes online and do whatever they say, tried almost everything. Here is the list of things that I tried as many as I remember:

Hardware related
Change RAM slot
Software related
Update BIOS
Update chipset drivers
Update graphics driver
Update LAN, AUDIO drivers
Update Windows
Uninstall anti-virus software
Uninstall OC softwares for CPU or GPU even though it's provided by manufacturer
Run driver verifier (using settings here https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...3-c48669e4c983)
Run Prime95 (No crash during 30 mins tests)
Run graphics benchmarks (No crash during tests)
Run MemTest86 (I run it several times 4 passes each. Once I got a error on Test 5 which is a random test so I think that's why Test 5 was successful later. Except this one, all other 4-passes tests were successful.)
Attachment 289374


Notes

• Drivers that are provided under my motherboard's website and manufacturer's website can be different. Usually motherboard's website has the older version. However I thought maybe it was the stable one, I used them both changing time to time to be sure none of them is solving this issue. (e.g. chipset drivers)
• I've observed that I got more BSODs when I install Ryzen Master or GPU Tweak II. So I am afraid to use them even though my manufacturer provides.
• I was using BitDefender antivirus software but its drivers failed during driver verifying process so I uninstalled it.
• I've read that if someone has IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA together there's a higher chance that this is a RAM related problem rather than a software related one. Is this information correct?
• I've just set "No paging file" under Virtual Memory settings for experimental purposes. No one instructed me to do so. (While I was typing this thread I got another BSOD with code MEMORY_MANAGEMENT. I don't have a minidump file probably because I disabled page file so I enabled it again.)
• I've uploaded my minidump files that is collected over 3 days and log collector results. By the way, sometimes I got no minidump file even though I got a blue screen or I don't see any blue screen but screen freezes and PC reboots itself.
• One of BSODs among I uploaded caused by anti-cheat software of a game called Valorant, however it was the first time I got a BSOD caused by that driver and I installed this game a few weeks ago but I've had BSODs for one year.
• In Valorant sometimes I got an error message saying that my graphics drivers crashed and I should update them even though I use the latest one. And HoI4 I have some freezing problems that forces me restart the game that I resolved that using -opengl parameter.

Final words
Two days ago I had a strange situation that never happened before, when I was browsing, screen froze and PC rebooted and I had this funny screen below. I was using latest graphics driver during this. After I install older driver that is provided by manufacturer (DUAL-RTX2060-O6G Driver & Tools | Graphics Cards | ASUS Global), and reboot, it's gone but it made me suspicious if I also have a problem about my graphics card.
Attachment 289379

I need my PC most of the time during day so that's why I wasn't be able to send my memory stick to service for a test. Before I send it, I want to be sure that it's caused by a software or driver or RAM or GPU or even other hardware, some people even says that it can be caused by CPU, PSU, HDD, SDD and even motherboard itself.

The most frustrating part of my problem is that I got these errors randomly and I can't recreate situations that causes BSOD which makes it too hard to diagnose.

I tried my best here to explain every piece of information that will help you to diagnose the problem. I wish I could provide some useful data for you. Thanks in advance.

Even one error for the memory test is a sign that it is faulty. The crash dumps do seem to be consistent with memory errors.

If you can get a friend to loan you memory for a test this might be the best way forward.

philc43 said:

Even one error for the memory test is a sign that it is faulty. The crash dumps do seem to be consistent with memory errors.

If you can get a friend to loan you memory for a test this might be the best way forward.

Hey, philc43

Do you think other "graphical" issues I mentioned can also be caused by a faulty RAM?

• A game saying "your graphics driver crashed"
• That strange screen problem I had

Even though I loan a RAM, I'm not sure how exactly I can test it. In past I had weeks that I've never got a BSOD. So if you say that it's most probably caused by RAM, I'll send it. I also don't know how will experts will verify that it's faulty because this thing passed MemTest86 several times.

Certainly freezes can be caused by memory issues. Not sure about the weird screens but if something gets corrupted or changed then anything is possible. I'm not sure if you can RMA it - what was the warranty period?

philc43 said:

Certainly freezes can be caused by memory issues. Not sure about the weird screens but if something gets corrupted or changed then anything is possible. I'm not sure if you can RMA it - what was the warranty period?

I understand. I don't know details but I'll get in communication with them and try probably send it tomorrow. I'll update here with my future experience.

I got my new RAMs, GSKILL 16GB (2x8GB) Flare X DDR4 3200MHz CL16 1.35V Dual Kit (F4-3200C16D-16GFX), in 28th July. It's more than a week now and I got no more BSODs. I think it's enough time to be sure that problem is solved. Thank you so much philc43.

By the way before I buy new RAMs, I needed to be sure so I deeply researched which RAM I should buy.
Here are my tips for those who have Ryzen processor and experience similar problems.

• Ryzen processors are a bit "fastidious" about their RAMs which they will work together.
• Either you should choose a RAM that is on QVL of your motherboard,
• Or you can buy a RAM that is qualified by the brand selling RAMs,
• Or you can choose one that you know it's working fine on another system.

Even though both my old RAM and motherboard supported 3200 Mhz frequency, I wasn't able to activate XMP profile on BIOS. It was only working at 2933 Mhz and when I chose built-in 3200 Mhz profile, there was no boot, no signal on monitor, nothing. I had to clear CMOS to reset BIOS to be able to boot system again. It was frustrating because I couldn't use it at highest speed which is important on Ryzen systems.

I bought my new RAMs from GSkill where you can select your mobo and chipset on their RAM Configurator, that makes lives much more easier. It seems like they are verifying their RAMs on various systems if it's working smoothly at the frequencies you desired. I was so stressed thinking I won't be able to activate XMP profile like before. However, there was no problem after I activated. My new RAMs works fine at 3200 Mhz and no more BSODs.

So it's seems like some brands optimizing their memories for Ryzen systems, which is great for people who are in similar situation like me.

I hope information under this thread can help people in the future.
Best regards.