Memory Problems: No Boot, Blue Screens, Speed Not Applied
Most memory issues are slot position or speed settings rather than failure. Start by testing a single stick.
Will not boot
The board's DRAM LED stays lit. Wrong slot position is by far the most common cause.
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- Check the manual for the two-stick slots — usually the second and fourth (A2/B2). Adjacent slots often fail to boot.→ This alone fixes the majority of cases.
- Boot with a single stick in A2. If it boots, add the rest one at a time.
- Confirm full seating: both latches should close at the same height. One side often stays proud.
- Clear CMOS (unplug, then use the jumper/button or remove the battery for a few minutes). Stale settings can block boot.
Random blue screens
Crashes with no consistent trigger and varying stop codes often indicate unstable memory.
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- Disable XMP/EXPO and run at base speed (e.g. 4800MT/s for DDR5) for a few days. Stability points to the profile.→ Try one speed step lower, or a small in-spec voltage increase.
- Run a memory test. MemTest86 detects more than the built-in Windows tool. At least four passes.Tool: A USB stick for MemTest86
- If errors appear, repeat with one stick at a time to identify which.
- With four sticks, retest with two. Four sticks can be both slower and less stable.
Speed or capacity not as expected
Memory running below its rated speed is usually just an unapplied profile.
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- Enable XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) in BIOS. It is off by default and runs at base speed.→ This explains most 'not running at rated speed' reports.
- Check the board and CPU supported speeds. Beyond the supported list, it simply will not run.
- If capacity looks short, check whether integrated graphics has reserved part of it.