How to Fix STOP 0x0000008E Errors

STOP 0x0000008E (abbreviated as 0x8E) is a STOP error that appears on the blue screen of death. The STOP 0x8E error might appear as follows:

• STOP: 0x0000008E
• KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

If Windows is able to start after the STOP 0x8E error, you might see the following message:

Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
BCCode: 8e

Causes of STOP 0x8E Errors

STOP 0x8E errors are usually caused by computer memory failures and, more rarely, by device driver issues, viruses, or hardware failures other than your RAM.

How to Fix STOP 0x8E Errors

If rebooting your computer doesn't fix the problem, try these steps in order until the error is resolved:

1. Remove recently installed hardware. If you just installed new hardware, there's a good chance that the change you made caused the STOP 0x8E error. Try removing and reinstalling the hardware correctly.

2. Install Windows Updates. Some service packs and patches can fix STOP 0x8E issues, so check for and install Windows updates.

   This particular solution is likely to solve your problem if the error occurred while making changes to the hardware acceleration on your graphics card.

3. Roll back your drivers. If the STOP 0x8E error began after updating a particular hardware device, roll back the device drivers to an older version.

   On Windows 7 and earlier, you can start your PC using the last known good configuration to undo related registry and driver changes.

4. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the STOP 0x8E error was caused by recent changes made to an important file or configuration, use Windows System Restore to restore your Windows PC.

5. Run a virus/malware scan. The STOP 0x8E error could be related to a hostile program, so scan your computer for malware to remove any threats.

6. Test and replace your memory. Test your RAM with a free memory testing tool. If the test detects any nonworking memory modules, replace your computer's memory.

7. Verify that the system memory is properly installed. All motherboards have fairly stringent requirements for configuring RAM modules. If you have any doubts about the proper memory configuration for your computer, consult the manuals for your computer and motherboard.

8. Return BIOS settings to their default levels. Overclocked or misconfigured memory settings in the system BIOS have been known to cause STOP 0x8E errors. If you've made several customizations to your BIOS settings and don't want to load the default ones, then at least try returning all BIOS memory timing, caching, and shadowing options to their defaults.

9. Test and replace your hard drive. Use a free hard drive testing program to check for hardware-related problems. If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the hard drive as soon as possible, or take your PC to a professional computer repair service.