Select your USB drive, choose the MemTest86 image file, and click . Step 3: Boot From the USB Drive Keep the USB drive inserted and restart your PC.

Release the button, then press and hold on your keyboard to launch Apple Diagnostics. For Intel-Based Macs Shut down your Mac completely. Press the Power Button to turn it back on. Immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard.

Files you frequently use or save become unreadable or corrupted.

If you have fancy RGB RAM running at 3200MHz or higher, it likely uses an or DOCP setting in the BIOS. If you are getting memory errors immediately after a crash:

This schedules the test for your next manual system reboot. Step 3: Monitor the Test

If your system boots straight to Windows, enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (via or F2 ) and move the USB drive to the top of the boot priority list. Step 4: Execute the Tests

If the test finds a memory issue, it will provide a reference code (usually starting with PPM ). You can check these codes on Apple’s support site. What to do if errors are found?

RAM issues can look like software bugs or operating system glitches. If you experience any of the following symptoms consistently, it is time to test your memory:

In this guide, you will learn exactly using built-in Windows tools, third-party software like MemTest86, and even macOS utilities.

Once the diagnostic runs, you will fall into one of two camps. Here is what to do next.

The tool is a free, built-in utility that checks your computer’s RAM for errors. It’s the first step if you’re experiencing random crashes, blue screens (BSOD), file corruption, or system freezes.

If no notification appears, open the Event Viewer and navigate to . Filter for MemoryDiagnostics-Results to find the detailed report. Apple Diagnostics (macOS)

Windows includes a built-in tool called Windows Memory Diagnostic. It is reliable, requires no installation, and runs before your operating system loads to ensure accurate testing. Step 1: Open the Tool Press the to open the Run dialog box. Type mdsched.exe into the box and press Enter . Step 2: Choose Your Restart Option A window will pop up offering two distinct options: