Why Is My PC Crashing After Installing RAM? Here Is Why

None of the personal computers can start and work without RAM.

RAM is the abbreviation of Random Access Memory. It is one of the vital components of a computer system. We need to install at least one RAM to make a computer functional. It stores data and apps during their execution. It is the only hardware a computer processor can access and communicate directly.

A PC is useless without RAM installed in it. This article discusses “Why is your PC crashing after installing RAM?” We will highlight as many reasons as possible with some detail. It is up to you to figure out the exact problem so you can solve it easily. Let’s start our topic without any further ado.

Why Is My PC Crashing After Installing RAM?

Outdated UEFI/BIOS, incompatibility issues, and malfunctioning memory modules cause your PC to crash. Similarly, faulty application software can also be the reason behind this issue. Wrongly installed RAM can also be the reason behind this crashing problem you are experiencing.

Each RAM has its compatible UEFI/BIOS, which makes it available for a computer user. But if the UEFI/BIOS fails to detect and initialize the hardware properly, you will experience such crashes. Similarly, each computer motherboard has its limits for installing a particular type of memory module.

The computer motherboards that only support DDR3 RAM will never allow you to install or run DDR4 RAM. You will experience such PC issues if there are compatibility issues. Yes, but backward-compatible motherboards that support DDR5 memory modules have no problem installing DDR4 RAMs.

Memory module that is about to become out of order causes you to see irritating BSODs and experience PC crashes repeatedly. If you have such RAM, you must remove it from your computer motherboard. Iterative restarts and crashes are not good for any computer, especially when they occur frequently.

Incompatibility Issues Among New RAM & Old UEFI/BIOS or Motherboard

There are different types of RAMs, and DDR4 and DDR5 are the most recent memory modules. They have way faster speed than their ancestor hardware. That is why these RAMs require compatible hardware and software to work properly. Each RAM is created keeping a certain computer system in mind.

The first incompatibility issue arises between the RAM and the motherboard. Motherboards are nothing but PCBs (printed circuit boards) with slots for installing RAMs. A motherboard created for DDR3 memory modules will never support DDR4 or later RAM types. This phenomenon is referred to as incompatibility.

Similarly, if the UEFI or BIOS of a motherboard does not know about DDR4 or DDR5 memory modules, it will never initialize it. It is because a motherboard’s UEFI/BIOS is responsible for detecting the hardware installed on the motherboard and initializing it so a user can use it through the operating system.

Malfunctioning Memory Module

The RAM that is about to become out of order causes such problems. Your computer system will start showing you BSODs (Blue Screens of Death) which will restart it again and again annoyingly. All memory modules have memory IC and other control chips for storing data and controlling a RAM’s speed and voltage.

If there is some fault in these IC chips, RAM becomes faulty. It starts crashing after you keep it installed in your computer. If you do not remove such a memory module, eventually, it will burn out completely. As a result, your PC will not turn on, and it will keep showing you an error about your PC memory.

Outdated UEFI/BIOS

An outdated UEFI/BIOS can be a reason behind this issue, especially when you install a certain RAM in your computer’s motherboard. UEFI/BIOS is firmware, meaning a dedicated IC chip with software. It detects and initializes the hardware, such as RAM, CPU, GPU, keyboard, mouse, etc., to make them functional.

But if the latest hardware is installed in a motherboard with an old and outdated UEFI/BIOS, it becomes impossible for it to initialize it properly. You experience your PC crashing repeatedly. Computer manufacturers have solved this problem easily. Now you can update your UEFI/BIOS instead of buying a new PC.

Faulty Application Software or Game

Each app or game is developed keeping certain computer hardware in mind. Not only this, but these are also optimized for certain hardware. Sometimes, such software has problems working properly. Mostly these bugs are a permanent part. You can experience PC crashes if there is some fault in the app or game.

Dusty RAM or Memory Slots

Each memory module is a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) with memory and other IC chips. For connecting to your computer motherboard, it uses prints. A carbon layer develops on these prints of your RAM over time. The RAM slots also become dirty because of the dust in the unfiltered air. It leads to crashes.

How To Fix PC Crashes Caused By RAM?

PC crashes that a faulty RAM causes can only be stopped by detecting and removing such memory modules from your computer. If it significantly decreases your memory size, consider replacing it with a new one. Update your UEFI/BIOS or upgrade your motherboard if necessary. Reinstall the crashing app or game.

Detect & Remove The Faulty RAM

Your priority must be to detect the memory module causing the crashing problems and remove or replace it with a new one. For this, you can run the “Windows Memory Diagnostic” tool. It will restart your computer to discover the malfunctioning hardware and tell you about it on the first startup.

Ensure to remove or replace the exact RAM, as your PC may have two similar memory modules having the same company, size, and speed. Removing and installing all RAMs individually will also help you figure out the bad hardware. Just ensure that you install them back in the right order as necessary.

Install The Most Compatible Memory Modules

Each motherboard has its limits to support a certain type of RAM, having a certain size and speed. A forcefully installed memory module more than its limits causes crashing problems. Hence, knowing about the most compatible memory module before buying and installing it. You must upgrade your motherboard.

Clean Your RAMs and Memory Slots

For proper communication between your RAM and other computer hardware, your RAM must be clean along with its slots. Otherwise, you can experience PC crashes from time to time. The dust particles make a layer that stops the current flow that carries data and program instructions.

Insufficient voltage levels lie in ambiguous data or commands your RAM cannot understand, store, or act upon. As a result, your computer crashes. You only need to remove your RAMs individually and clean their prints using a pencil eraser to fix this issue. Clean the slots with a soft brush and blower.

Update Your UEFI/BIOS

Your computer crashes when its UEFI/BIOS cannot properly initialize your newly installed RAM. In this case, you cannot update it to use the fast hardware with more data transfer speed. Updating it is risky, especially when your area has unscheduled power cut issues.

For this, you will need a USB flash drive. But first, open the “Start Menu” and type “System Information.” Open the app with the name and note your motherboard’s manufacturer, model, and UEFI/BIOS version. It will help you to reach the official website to download the new and compatible version.

Reinstall The Crashing App or Game

A faulty app or game gives you the feeling of faulty RAM, but there is no problem in your memory modules. Check if it needs to be updated. If yes, then updating it might stop the crashes. Otherwise, uninstall it properly to reinstall it. Ensure to install the SDK or DirectX. It needs to work properly.

Can RAM Cause PCs To Crash?

Yes, it can, especially when you have installed a brand-new memory module. Your RAM is a culprit if the crashes are random. Such a memory module shows you the Blue Screen of Death when using the Windows operating system. It appears on the screen with a sad face and a message about collecting stats.

A malfunctioning RAM can also cause your computer to crash repeatedly. If you have the Windows operating system, then it will show you BSODs. Removing such a memory module from your computer motherboard is crucial. Otherwise, your other computer hardware can become faulty due to crashes.

But if your PC crashes after opening or running a certain app or game, the problem is in the app or game, not your RAM. Ensure to update it to see if the problem is gone. But if the issue is consistent, then reinstall it. Some apps and games require additional SDKs to work properly, such as C++ or DirectX.

What To Do If RAM Crashes?

Remove faulty RAM from your computer motherboard as soon as possible because such hardware causes your computer system to crash. Windows has a perfect tool for detecting such a memory module. For using it, open the “Start Menu” and type “Windows Memory Diagnostic.” Open the app as it appears in the menu.

Select “Restart now and check for problems as the app opens.” It will restart your computer and check each memory module to find the RAM causing the crashes. Once it points out the faulty RAM on startup, you must remove it from your computer. Hopefully, now you will not experience PC crashes.

You can install a new one in its place if removing it will lower the overall RAM size significantly. Sometimes the dust and carbon on RAM’s prints makes it act as faulty hardware. In this case, unplug your PC after shutting it down properly and take out and clean each RAM and slot individually.

Does RAM Help With Crashing?

Installing the required amount of RAM into your computer is crucial to prevent the crashing of apps and games. RAM, known as Random Access Memory, is your computer processor’s only direct communication memory. It holds data and program instructions related to the apps and games that the CPU runs.

If your PC does not have enough memory that your app or game demands, you will experience crashes, especially when your storage is full. Heavy software needs more RAM, but if unavailable, your operating system makes a RAM-like memory on the storage to serve the purpose. It is known as virtual memory.

Each software has certain requirements about the total size of RAM. If you fulfill these requirements, the app or game works properly. Otherwise, it either loses performance because of virtual memory or crashes because of an insignificant amount of RAM. Hence, it is essential to have a sufficient amount.

Conclusion

A faulty RAM shows you BSODs (Blue Screens of Death) and is the main reason behind the PC crashes you are experiencing. It is a valid sign that one of your memory modules is about to become out of order. If you do not detect and replace or remove it, your PC might not turn on if it burnt out.

Sometimes your motherboard has an outdated version of UEFI/BIOS which cannot detect and initialize your new RAM properly. The only way to fix this issue is to update it. You can learn about your motherboard through “System Information” and download the compatible version from its official website.

There are limits on the motherboards to support certain RAMs having a specific type and speed. Put simply, a motherboard that supports only DDR3 memory modules will never allow you to install DDR4 or DDR5 RAMs. Ensure that you are installing the compatible memory modules compatible with your motherboard.

Faulty apps and games give the feeling of a faulty memory module. First, update such software to see if the problem is fixed. If not, then reinstall them by uninstalling them properly. To work properly, most apps and games need additional DLLs, SDK, C++ Visual, or DirectX. Install them to stop the PC crashes.