I recently got an MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK with an i9-14900HX processor and 32GB of RAM, and I'm facing some really annoying issues. My laptop is crashing a lot, especially when I have it plugged in. I'm experiencing browser crashes with STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION errors, occasional STATUS_BREAKPOINT messages, and random reboots. I've also seen some watchdog violations and a couple of other BSODs that I didn't catch. I've checked for RAM issues with MemTest (none found), updated the BIOS, made sure my system is clean with antivirus scans, cleared my browser's cache, and disabled all extensions. Nothing seems to help. The weird part is that all these problems only pop up when the charger is connected; when I'm on battery, everything runs smoothly. I really need some guidance on whether this is likely a power delivery issue with the charger or motherboard, any potential CPU voltage problems, or if anyone else has dealt with similar issues. What troubleshooting steps can I try next?
3 Answers
While a power delivery issue isn't impossible, it's probably not the primary cause of your crashes. The higher power levels might just be making the underlying faults visible. Regarding your CPU, there was a known voltage bug in Intel's recent desktop chips, but laptops weren't supposed to be impacted. I recommend checking if removing one RAM stick helps isolate the problem, as memory testers can sometimes miss bad RAM.
If it's new, I'd suggest returning it. Since it's a relatively recent purchase, that might be your best bet. If returning isn't an option, start by ensuring your BIOS and drivers are all up to date, and then work through each driver one by one. Watchdog violations often signal driver-related issues.
Thanks for the advice! I bought it about 5 months ago, and I did update the BIOS and drivers, but the issues are still happening.
To better analyze those BSODs, you should collect the dump files from your system. Check the C:WindowsMinidump folder to see if any dump files are there. If you find them, zip the folder and upload it to a file sharing site, like catbox.moe or mediafire.com, so we can help further. Multiple dump files would be ideal for a comprehensive look at the issues you're encountering.
Just to clarify, should I take out one of the 16 GB RAM sticks and run the laptop that way? Sorry if that sounds silly, I'm still learning!