I've been experiencing frequent crashes with my Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 (15ARH05), especially when it's plugged in. It seems like playing games like 'People Playground' helps, but I'm starting to get worried since the crashes have become more severe after I recently cleaned the thermals. Here are some details: Intermittent crashes often happen without a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), but when they do, there are various error codes showing up. The crashes happen more when the laptop is connected to AC power, and one of my USB ports fried after a crash, but the system is more stable on battery. I've tried numerous fixes like reseating the RAM, formatting drives, reinstalling Windows 11, and even testing with another charger, but nothing has worked completely. I suspect there might be some power delivery issues with the motherboard or charger rail. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Have you checked the dump files from your crashes? They can provide crucial information about what's causing the BSODs. If you can access the C:WindowsMinidump folder, zip that up and upload it somewhere safe. The more dump files you have, the better we can analyze the issues. If you're not sure how to access them, there are guides online to help you set it up and configure for better dumps in the future!
Based on what you've described, it sounds like a potential issue with your CPU's memory controller. This could also explain why you’re seeing memory-related errors. Have you ever tried running your laptop with just one stick of RAM at a time? If one stick causes crashes while the other doesn't, you've likely found the faulty one. If that's not it, we might be looking at CPU problems, especially if it's been getting hot or overclocked. It could also be worth contacting Lenovo support; there might be a goodwill repair option even if your warranty has expired.
I haven't contacted Lenovo support yet, but I plan to try soon. With finals coming up, I really need the laptop, even if it's acting up. Thanks for the suggestion on the RAM testing!