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How to Test Your RAM for Faults using MemTest86

Dave Ayling | Digital Director
  • Updated

If your PC is freezing, crashing, or throwing random blue screens, faulty RAM could be the cause. You can test for hardware issues using a free tool from PassMark called MemTest86.

What You Need:

  • A spare USB drive (at least 512MB).

  • Warning: This process will completely wipe the USB drive. Back up any files on it before you start.

Step 1: Download MemTest86

Go to the official download page and grab the free version: https://www.memtest86.com/download.htm

Step 2: Create the Bootable USB

  1. Plug your USB drive into the PC.

  2. Extract the downloaded folder and open imageUSB.

  3. Select your USB drive from the list at the top.

  4. Click Write to copy the testing tool to the drive. (Remember, this wipes the drive).

Once finished, your USB is ready to boot from.

Step 3: Run the Test

  1. Keep the USB drive plugged in and restart your PC.

  2. As soon as the screen goes black and turns back on, repeatedly tap your motherboard's boot menu key. This is usually F11, F12, F9, or Esc depending on your system.

  3. Select your USB drive from the menu that appears.

  4. MemTest86 will launch automatically. Let it run until it finishes the passes—it will flag any errors in red.

Need Help?

If you get stuck or see red error blocks on the screen, take a photo and open a support ticket with us. We'll take a look and let you know if the memory needs replacing.

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