How to Perform a RAM Check in Windows 10?

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RAM, also known as Random Access Memory, is essential to any modern computer, tablet, or smartphone. It stores data that an operating system needs to access quickly to properly run itself and all your games, apps, etc. It is hundreds of times faster than regular hard drives or even the fastest SSDs. No matter how much RAM you have, if it malfunctions, your computer will cause you lots of headaches. Often corrupt computer memory leads to system deadlocks (computer “hangs” and stops responding to any user input), blue screens of death (also known as BSOD), apps crashes, and other severe troubles that make any work with a computer virtually impossible.

Why test your RAM?

If you suspect your computer has some problems with RAM, do not rush to the nearby store to get a pair of new sticks. Begin with performing a memory test in Windows 10 on your installed RAM. To run a memory test in Windows 10 on your physical memory, you need a third-party tool or one built in directly into Windows. Since Windows Vista times, the OS from Microsoft, can run a built-in Windows memory diagnostic tool and discover troubles with RAM.

How do you know your computer needs to check RAM on Windows 10? As described above, the most obvious sign of malfunctioning RAM will be the constant blue screen of death. It will show stop codes such as MEMORY MANAGEMENT or something related to memory and its operation.

In this article, we will show you how to perform a RAM test in Windows 10 getting all the memory details, including RAM speed, check RAM usage, and share some tips to help you confirm your computer needs a new memory kit.

Note. Check our tutorial on how to check RAM timings in Windows.

How to Run Memory Check in Windows 10?

Running a built-in Windows memory check or diagnosing tool is easy and does not require any advanced knowledge. All you need to know is how to execute Windows 10 RAM check CMD command.

Before you start memory check in Windows 10, consider the following:

• Reset your BIOS to default settings. This will wipe any RAM overclocking. This step is particularly important as often users confuse malfunctioning RAM with incorrect overclocking settings;
• If possible, open your computer case and switch RAM modules. If they populate A1-A2 slots on your motherboard, insert them in B1-B2 slots. If you use all four slots or your motherboard has only two, skip this step;
• If possible, leave only one slot populated and check whether your PC performs well. Perhaps only one RAM stick has problems running;
• Make sure you use identical memory sticks. Although memory mismatch nowadays rarely causes any issue, the best performance is achieved when you use identical memory sticks from one kit with identical clock speed, timings, and size.

If problems persist after you have done everything above, time to run Windows 10 memory check.

Note. Learn why some websites not loading on Windows.

Windows 10 RAM test

On your keyboard, press Win + R and enter the following Windows 10 RAM check command: mdsched.

The next thing you will see will be a small windows prompt asking you to immediately reboot your system or wait until the next time you start a PC. Choose whatever suits you better.

Do note that after you execute Windows 10 memory test cmd, the scan will start immediately after your computer restarts. You can leave the default memory check settings or select one of the presets.

Windows offers three different kinds of RAM test:

• Basic Windows Memory test – the fastest option, which runs only three tests to check the RAM: MATS+, INVC, and SCHCKR.
• Standard memory test – the default option. Additional tests include LRAND, SCHCKR3, Stride6, WINVC, and WMATS+.
• Extended Windows 10 RAM check – all the standard Windows memory tests plus CHCKR4, CHCKR8, Stride6, Stride38, WSCHCKR, WCHCKR3WStride-6 and ERAND

Additionally, you can enable or disable the use of cache and select the pass count from 0 to 15. If you have time, select a few passes to ensure RAM withstands the prolonged load. By default, Windows runs the memory test run in two passes. If you specify 0, the RAM test will run until a user manually halts it.

You can navigate the Windows 10 memory test interface using keys described down below the screen.

Depending on the selected test and number of passes, the check will take from a few minutes to several hours. If during the scanning process error appears, a notification will be displayed. All the discovered problems and errors will also be saved in a Windows 10 RAM check log file you can access after the test is finished.

If your PC uses two or more RAM sticks, to achieve the most effective RAM check in Windows 10 depending on how much memory you have, we recommend pulling out all the sticks and leaving only one inserted. Check how much RAM you have. Pull sticks if needed. Run the Windows 10 memory check for each stick separately. This will help you to be 100% sure which memory stick works properly and which is not.

If the memory test discovered no errors with your RAM, a computer will restart automatically. After logging back into your account, you will see a notification in the lower right corner. There you can access the test’s log file.

Windows Memory Diagnostic
No memory errors were detected.

Viewing scan results in Event Viewer

You can also find the scan results in the system events log. To open the Events Viewer, press Win + R and run eventvwr.msc command. Go to the section Event Viewer (Local) – Windows Logs – System. Find and open events from the source MemoryDiagnostics-Results.

In our case, an event description contains the following text:

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tested the computer’s memory and detected no errors

Here is a small tip. If Windows runs memory check every time you turn on a PC, you need to disable automatic Windows RAM check. Run Command Prompt as Administrator and execute the following command:

bcdedit /bootsequence {memdiag} /remove

Another way to run RAM check in Windows 10

More advanced users may refer to a third-party tool called memtest 86. You can download it from the official website. Memtest runs memory check just like the built-in utility but you need a flash drive to run it. Also, it is not particularly useful in case your PC cannot operate normally.

What to do after you finish Windows 10 RAM check

Your next steps will depend on what memory test log file shows. Look for the solution of discovered errors and, if needed, replace your RAM. If there are no errors discovered but problems persist, try the following:

• Update your BIOS / UEFI. You will be amazed at how a simple BIOS update can improve RAM performance, especially on AMD Ryzen-based computers.
• Reinstall Windows. Yes, we know how stereotyped this tip is and how people are sick of every website telling them to reinstall Windows. But the sad reality is that often a fresh copy of Windows 10 miraculously solves all the mysterious bugs. Thank Microsoft for that.
• Troubleshoot other components or try using your RAM in another computer to check whether it misbehaves. If possible, plug in different RAM sticks and check how your PC works. This is particularly important, since a bad motherboard may be another reason why your computers went crazy.

That’s it. We hope this little guide helped you to run the RAM test in Windows 10 and make sure it works properly.

Key points around RAM Management in Windows 10

What does ‘RAM check in Windows 10’ mean and why is it important?

RAM, short for Random Access Memory, acts as your computer’s immediate data storage. It keeps data your system is actively using, providing quicker access than retrieving from the hard disk or solid-state drive. Having more RAM or using RAM effectively lets your computer deal with more tasks at once, enhancing the overall performance.

How can I monitor my computer’s RAM usage in real time?

There are several ways to check the RAM installed on your Windows 10 machine. You can use the “System” area in the Settings app or see the “Device Specifications” in the Control Panel. Both these sections give a detailed snapshot of your system specifications, encompassing the installed memory.

What is the difference between Static Random Access Memory and Dynamic Random Access Memory?

Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM) are types of RAM that hold data differently. SRAM stores a bit of data on each memory cell as long as power is supplied, offering faster access times but at a higher cost and larger size. DRAM, on the other hand, needs to be refreshed periodically to maintain the data, which makes it slower but less expensive and more compact compared to SRAM. Most computers use DRAM for main memory.

How do I determine if my system has enough RAM?

If your PC appears sluggish often or is serving up frequent ‘Low Memory’ warnings, these are hints that your device might be in need of additional RAM. Monitoring your RAM’s current usage and free capacity is a simple task when using the Task Manager (‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’). Navigate to the ‘Performance’ tab within. It’s entirely normal for a portion of your memory to remain free, but if your system is consistently pushing the RAM to its maximum capacity, you might consider enhancing your memory.

How can I find out all the memory details of my Windows 10 computer?

There are a couple of ways to find out your memory details in Windows 10. The ‘System’ section in the ‘Settings’ app provides an overview, showing installed RAM along with other device specifications. For a detailed system report, you can use the ‘System Information’ tool which shows everything from installed memory to the form factor and RAM speed. Alternatively, the ‘Performance’ tab in Task Manager provides real-time data on memory usage.

What should I do if I’m experiencing computer problems even after performing a RAM check?

If you’re still experiencing computer problems after a RAM check, it might be due to other components of your system. You might consider updating your BIOS/UEFI, reinstalling Windows, or contacting technical support. It could also be worthwhile to check your hard disk or solid-state drive for errors, as these components can also cause system instability.

Wrapping up

Knowing how your computer’s RAM works in Windows 10 and 11 is key for the best system performance and a long-lasting device. Issues with RAM can cause big problems like system freezing, blue screens of death, and software suddenly stopping. By learning how to do a RAM check, keep track of RAM usage, and understand memory details, you can spot and fix potential system memory problems more effectively.

In this article, we’ve guided you on performing a RAM check in Windows 10 using built-in Windows tools and third-party software like Memtest 86. We’ve also highlighted the importance of RAM management and addressed some of the most common questions around this topic.

However, if you continue to experience system issues despite a successful RAM check, another underlying reason may exist. Other components may be at fault, and it may be necessary to take further troubleshooting steps, such as updating your BIOS/UEFI, checking your hard drive for errors, or even reinstalling Windows.