WHEA, which is short for Windows Hardware Error Architecture uncorrectable error, which is a Windows stop code displayed on a blue screen. Your computer will compile some diagnostic data once this error has occurred and then reset. Your computer will eventually crash again, if the root problem persists, with the same WHEA uncorrectable error message.
It's mostly faulty hardware that becomes the cause of the WHEA uncorrectable error, but they can also be caused by driver conflicts, pending updates and even over-use.
Causes
The WHEA uncorrectable error is usually caused by some type of hardware failure. There are various hardware issues that can result in a WHEA uncorrectable error, like a failing hard drive, improperly seated CPU, defective memory.
This error message can also be the result of driver conflicts and missing Windows updates, in addition to faulty hardware.
There can be a few cases when the error is caused by over-use or over-heating of the computer.
How to Fix a WHEA Uncorrectable Error
Fixing the WHEA Uncorrectable Error usually involves tracking down the problem component and replacing it as most of these errors are caused by hardware failure. But while fixing, the best place you can start from is on the software end of things as it's easier and less expensive.
You should start by checking for Windows and driver updates, after that you can start checking the hard drive and the memory.
1. Update Windows 10
You have to check if Windows 10 is completely updated first as the outdated system files can become the reason for unexpected errors. You could just check for a pending update. That would also help him figure out if that is the cause of the error.
- Open the Settings panel by pressing Windows key + I.
- Move to Update & Security and then check Windows Update for any pending updates.
- If an update is pending, save the important files and press Restart now. The system will now reboot.
2. Physically inspect your computer hardware.
In one of your hardware components, there could be a physical defect or failure. You could start with checking your cooling system and if it is hooked up and functional, if your RAM is securely placed, and everything is securely connected.
Make sure that you do not touch anything inside your computer unless you're using an anti-static bracelet.
3. Update System Drivers
Your system drivers are kept up to date by the Windows Update. As the process is automated, that would likely mean that the device wouldn't fall behind its recommended version, but sometimes it just falls through the gaps. On other occasions, Windows just doesn't use the correct driver version.
You can check your latest automatic driver updates by following the given steps:
- Move to Update & Security, then Windows Update, and then View update history. You will get all the recent driver updates here.
- Then, just type device manager in the Start menu search bar and select the Best match.
- Check for an error symbol in the list and if you find nothing, the status of your driver is probably not the cause for the error.
- Open the section using the dropdown arrow if there is a yellow "alert" symbol. Right-click on the not updated driver and select Update Driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software so that Windows automates the process.
You can also use third-party apps to update all your drivers simultaneously.
4. Use System Restore to undo any recent changes to your computer.
A system restore might fix your problem if you are unable to trace the change that has caused your system to start experiencing WHEA uncorrectable errors.
This utility will allow you to get your computer back to an earlier state, which nullifies all the charges and sets your computer back to its default settings.
5. Check for hard drive issues with the Error Checking utility.
As the faulty hardware can cause the WHEA uncorrectable error, you could run the Error Checking utility to point to the root cause of your problem. It will work almost like chkdsk and let you know if your hard drive has any issues.
You might also use chkdsk. You won't get a graphical interface here but there are a lot of additional options.
6. Disable overclocking in BIOS or UEFI.
If you want to easily access your system BIOS or UEFI so that any overclocking changes that have been made can be undone, just type "Settings" in your taskbar search field, then move to Update &Security, then Recovery, then Advanced startup and finally Restart now.
This will initiate the restart process. Now, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. These options will be slightly different if your computer uses BIOS instead of UEFI.
UEFI or BIOS will be opened automatically as your computer restarts. Then just move to the overclocking section and turn off all overclocking.
7. Last Resort: Reset Windows 10
If none of the above-mentioned solutions works, you can Reset your Windows to refresh your system files.
Your system files will be replaced with a completely fresh set of files by Windows 10 Reset.
- Move to Settings, then Update and Security, and then Recovery, then under Reset this PC select Get started. As soon as you press this button, your system restarts, so just make sure that you back up all the important files before.
- As your system restarts, you can select Keep my files or Remove everything.
If the error remains, you might have to take the help of the professionals and visit your nearest computer shop.
