How to Fix BSOD WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (0x00000124)
What error 0x00000124 means
WHEA stands for Windows Hardware Error Architecture — the channel through which your hardware reports problems to Windows. WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR means the CPU itself reported a machine-check exception: a cache error, bus error, or similar low-level fault that error-correction couldn't fix. Windows halts with a blue screen because continuing to run on hardware that reports itself as faulty risks silent data corruption.
This makes 0x00000124 different from most blue screens: the fault genuinely originates in hardware (or in how the firmware talks to it), not in a Windows driver bug. The usual suspects are an unstable overclock, overheating, failing RAM, an outdated BIOS with buggy CPU microcode, or a dying SSD or power supply. The diagnostic approach is therefore physical first: cool it down, clock it down, test the components.
Common causes
- Overclocked CPU, RAM, or GPU pushed too far: unstable clocks produce exactly the machine-check errors WHEA reports.
- Overheating: dust-clogged fans, failed coolers, or dried thermal paste let temperatures spike under load.
- Failing RAM: defective memory modules trigger uncorrectable hardware errors.
- Outdated BIOS or chipset drivers: old firmware and microcode can misreport or mishandle hardware errors.
- Failing SSD/NVMe drive or weak power supply: storage errors and unstable voltages both surface as WHEA faults.
How to fix error 0x00000124 — step by step
Work through these fixes in order. Step 1 alone fixes every overclock-related case.
- Remove all overclocks and reset BIOS to defaults. Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI setup (Del or F2 during boot). Choose "Load Optimized Defaults," which disables CPU overclocks and XMP memory profiles. Save and exit. If you use GPU overclocking software like MSI Afterburner, reset it to stock settings too, and disable any auto-overclocking utilities.
- Check CPU and GPU temperatures and clean out dust. Install HWiNFO and watch your CPU and GPU temperatures during normal use and under load (a game or stress test). Sustained CPU temps above 90°C or a GPU above 85°C indicate overheating. Shut down, unplug, and clean dust from fans, heatsinks, and dust filters with compressed air. If temperatures stay high on a clean system, the thermal paste may need replacing.
- Test the RAM thoroughly. Press Win + R, type
mdsched.exe, and run the Windows Memory Diagnostic. For a deeper test, boot MemTest86 from a USB drive and let it complete at least two full passes. Any error means a stick needs replacing — memory faults map directly onto this blue screen. - Update the BIOS, chipset, and storage drivers. Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer's support page and download the latest BIOS, chipset, and storage/NVMe drivers for your exact model. Install the chipset and storage drivers first, then flash the BIOS following the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Never interrupt a BIOS update — a failed flash can brick the motherboard.
- Reseat RAM and the graphics card. Power off fully and unplug the PC. Remove each RAM stick and the graphics card, then firmly reseat them until the clips lock. Check that all power connectors (24-pin, CPU 8-pin, PCIe) are fully seated. Then test with a single RAM stick in the primary slot to isolate a faulty module or a bad slot.
- Check drive health and run chkdsk. Install CrystalDiskInfo and check your SSD or hard drive's health status and temperature — anything below "Good" means the drive is suspect. Then run
chkdsk C: /f /rfrom an admin terminal to repair file system damage that can accompany storage faults.
Did this fix it? Quick checklist
- No more 0x00000124 crashes, including under heavy load
- CPU and GPU temperatures stay in safe ranges
- Memory tests pass with zero errors
- BIOS, chipset, and storage drivers are current
If everything passes but crashes continue, open Event Viewer, go to Windows Logs, then System, and filter for source "WHEA-Logger." Those entries often name the exact failing component — processor core, memory bank, or PCIe device — which tells you precisely what to replace. A suspect power supply is worth testing last: unstable voltages cause WHEA errors that no other test will catch.
Frequently asked questions
What does WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR mean?
It means your hardware reported an error to Windows through the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA), and Windows could not correct it. The CPU essentially raised its hand to report a machine-check exception — a cache error, bus error, or similar — and the system halted to prevent data corruption.
Is 0x00000124 always a hardware problem?
Almost always, yes. Unlike most blue screens, this one originates in the hardware itself reporting a fault. Outdated BIOS or drivers can cause false reports, which is why updating them is part of the fix, but genuine overheating, unstable overclocks, or failing components are the usual reality.
Can overclocking cause 0x00000124 even if it was stable before?
Yes. Silicon degrades over time, thermal paste dries out, and dust builds up — an overclock that was stable for a year can become unstable. Summer heat alone is enough to push a marginal overclock over the edge.
Should I update my BIOS to fix 0x00000124?
It is worth doing if your BIOS is old, because updates fix CPU microcode and hardware compatibility bugs that cause false WHEA errors. But follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly and never interrupt a BIOS flash — a failed flash can brick the motherboard.