WHEA uncorrectable error on laptop

[NintendoSwitch]

My laptop suddenly BSOD with "WHEA uncorrectable error" three times in a row. First time while watching video. Second time, after it rebooted and I googled and it said do Windows update, so then updated and restarted then I checked Windows update again and it BSOD. Then third time I tried SFC /scannow halfway. Is this something that can be fixed by the tech-illiterate user like me, or is this laptop a gone case? It is a Lenovo E595 Thinkpad that is around 4-6 years old.

 

[86technie]

Reinstall Windows if you know how to.
*Note reinstall Windows is not the same as WIndows reset.
You need to download the Windows installation from Microsoft website than do a fresh install.

 

[NintendoSwitch]

Reinstall Windows if you know how to.
*Note reinstall Windows is not the same as WIndows reset.
You need to download the Windows installation from Microsoft website than do a fresh install.

Is it likely to be a software issue or is the hardware failing?

 

[uselessbum]

WHEA refers to hardware errors.

One possibility is that the thermal paste on your processor has fully pumped out or the internal fan has stopped working. Either case could lead to overheating.

Other possibiities are that your processor/ram/hdd/ssd/battery is damaged.

If it is the processor that is damaged, it's gone case. Other parts would depend on whether you are able to find replacements.

Have a look at the following if you wish to try replacing parts:





For starters, I would suggest opening the back of your laptop and blowing a strong fan directly at it while you are using. This is to test if it is a thermal issue. If the bsod still persists, then the issue likely stems from other parts or that the processor itself is damaged.

Unfortunately, this sort of thing is trial and error so you have to decide if you want to spend that kind of money to figure it out.

 

[NintendoSwitch]

WHEA refers to hardware errors.

One possibility is that the thermal paste on your processor has fully pumped out or the internal fan has stopped working. Either case could lead to overheating.

Other possibiities are that your processor/ram/hdd/ssd/battery is damaged.

If it is the processor that is damaged, it's gone case. Other parts would depend on whether you are able to find replacements.

Have a look at the following if you wish to try replacing parts:





For starters, I would suggest opening the back of your laptop and blowing a strong fan directly at it while you are using. This is to test if it is a thermal issue. If the bsod still persists, then the issue likely stems from other parts or that the processor itself is damaged.

Unfortunately, this sort of thing is trial and error so you have to decide if you want to spend that kind of money to figure it out.

Can processor itself be damaged for a laptop that just sits on a table and is never moved?

 

[uselessbum]

Can processor itself be damaged for a laptop that just sits on a table and is never moved?

Damage need not necessarily be direct physical. Improper voltage regulation could damage the CPU just like the fiasco with intel's 13/14th gen processors.

 

[Phen8210]

i think your processor or memory died

 

[NintendoSwitch]

i think your processor or memory died

More details. I have since used Control Panel to limit the maximum power state to 33% and the BSOD hasn't happened for the 4th time today yet. Does this suggest CPU or RAM issue?

 

[Arandalo]

Previously my Lenovo IdeaPad S540 which I used from 2021 to 2025 also started to reboot on its own immediately after showing the WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR. Similar to yours I used the laptop permanently on an aluminium laptop stand and never moved it.

Then if lucky the laptop will be usable for a while like few minutes to maybe 1 hour then it will spontaneously show the blue screen and reboot again.

I tried many troubleshooting steps by researching online and also watching YouTube videos but eventually gave up. I didn’t manage to find the root cause but likely it is RAM or SSD failure. I suggest you to better backup your files while it’s still possible as most likely it will get worse and not even be able to boot.

 

[uselessbum]

More details. I have since used Control Panel to limit the maximum power state to 33% and the BSOD hasn't happened for the 4th time today yet. Does this suggest CPU or RAM issue?

IMO, it would point towards your laptop battery being on its way out.

 

[NintendoSwitch]

Previously my Lenovo IdeaPad S540 which I used from 2021 to 2025 also started to reboot on its own immediately after showing the WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR. Then if lucky the laptop will be usable for a while like few minutes to maybe 1 hour then it will spontaneously show the blue screen and reboot again.

I didn’t manage to find the root cause but likely it is RAM or SSD failure. I suggest you to better backup your files while it’s still possible as most likely it will get worse and not even be able to boot.

The important files are all in the cloud. Have been that way since the pandemic started. The SSD is just full of the local copy of that data and actually I can't find out what is using up all that space so I can't install the Windows 11 upgrade.

 

[NintendoSwitch]

IMO, it would point towards your laptop battery being on its way out.

Unfortunately, the Thinkpad E595's battery is not easily removable unlike the Thinkpad X270's which is just slide out.

 

[Phen8210]

More details. I have since used Control Panel to limit the maximum power state to 33% and the BSOD hasn't happened for the 4th time today yet. Does this suggest CPU or RAM issue?

yes

most likely cpu issue

check temperature also

 

[yukita]

can see event viewer to check more details. else you can also run reliability monitor to see what might cause it.

 

[JT2008]

Send to Lenovo service centre. They can troubleshoot and provide a quotation. If too expensive, you can choose not to repair.

 

[Rogue]

Which driver version are you using for graphics? Might need to purge it with amd cleanup utility in windows safe mode and install fresh new downloaded drivers, otherwise just install old drivers and never update them after ( https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/sg/en/...ge-laptops/thinkpad-e595-type-20nf/downloads/ ).

 

[86technie]

Is it likely to be a software issue or is the hardware failing?

Try software first after reinstall Windows.
If during Windows this error happens that means the mobile CPU has fried.
If PC have any issues Windows installation will BOSD or halt.

 

[NintendoSwitch]

Try software first after reinstall Windows.
If during Windows this error happens that means the mobile CPU has fried.
If PC have any issues Windows installation will BOSD or halt.

Let me either setup another PC or laptop first before doing that. Need the laptop for work.

 

[Jurchen King]

WHEA error is hardware issue. The last time I kena WHEA error, it was a defective CPU. Check Windows Event Viewer and google the error code.

 

[NintendoSwitch]

WHEA error is hardware issue. The last time I kena WHEA error, it was a defective CPU. Check Windows Event Viewer and google the error code.

Just type "windows event viewer" into the start menu?