I've been dealing with some frustrating BSODs that only happen when my computer is idling or in sleep mode. I can use it for hours without any issues, even while gaming, but the moment I step away, it crashes with a BSOD. This has been happening for a while now, and I'm not sure what's causing it. I replaced a faulty 14900KF processor and updated the BIOS, and for a time, things seemed okay. However, the BSODs came back again. I even replaced the RAM but it hasn't solved the problem. The crashes only point to ntoskrnl.exe, which isn't very helpful. I've even struggled to do a fresh install of Windows 11 due to frequent BSODs with the "irql_not_less_or_equal" message. Sometimes the installation will succeed after several attempts. I have a brand new 14900KF processor I might consider swapping in, but I'm wondering if anyone has other insights into what's happening here. Thanks for any help!
3 Answers
From what you're describing, it looks like you may be facing some serious hardware issues, particularly with the CPU. The NMI errors suggest that something unexpected is happening with your CPU. It's rare, but it could be worth testing the new 14900KF to see if that resolves the issue. You might also want to ensure that your system isn't overheating or having power supply problems—both can lead to these kinds of crashes.
Have you made any changes to your BIOS settings, like undervolting or overclocking? That's a key area to investigate first. You might also want to look at the Windows Event Viewer; it can reveal a lot of details about crashes. If you see WHEA errors, those could point you toward hardware issues that need attention.
It's good that you've ruled out some hardware already, but if this is pointing to ntoskrnl.exe frequently, it might also be worth checking for driver updates. Sometimes, outdated drivers can cause BSODs, especially when your system is idle. Make sure everything is up to date, from your GPU to peripherals.
I haven't changed any BIOS settings, but I'll definitely check the Event Viewer for more clues.