How To Run Memory Diagnostics ~upd~ May 2026
Running memory diagnostics is a critical troubleshooting step when your computer experiences "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD) errors, random freezes, or spontaneous reboots. Since RAM acts as your computer's short-term workspace, even a single faulty bit can cause system-wide instability. Here is how to run diagnostics on the two most common platforms. 1. Windows Memory Diagnostic (Built-in)
Step 4: Interpret the Results Once the test finishes, your PC will automatically reboot into Windows. Here is where Microsoft fumbles the ball—the results do not pop up automatically. You have to find them: how to run memory diagnostics
Windows has a native tool that is effective and requires no third-party downloads. How to run it: 3.3 macOS: Apple Diagnostics (formerly AHT)
Alternatively, choose Check for problems the next time I start my computer to run it later. 4.2 MemTest86+ (Open Source)
- Pass? Put that stick aside. It's good.
- Fail? You found the bad stick.
4.2 MemTest86+ (Open Source)
- Legacy Focus: Better for older BIOS systems.
- Limitation: Unreliable on UEFI Secure Boot systems without manual signing.
3.3 macOS: Apple Diagnostics (formerly AHT)
- Intel Macs: Shutdown → Power on + hold
Dkey. - Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3): Shutdown → Press and hold power button until "Loading startup options" appears → Press
Cmd + D. - Result: Generates a reference code (e.g., "RAM_DDR4_Device_0_DIMM_0").
Method 3: Running Diagnostics on a Mac (Apple Hardware Test)
Apple computers do not use standard PC RAM in the same way, but they also have built-in diagnostics. The process varies slightly depending on whether you have an Intel-based Mac or an Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Mac.
