Double fault exception (0x00000008)

What is DOUBLE-FAULT?

DOUBLE_FAULT shows up as a critical-severity system memory (RAM) fault. DOUBLE_FAULT (Stop Code 0x00000008) occurs when the processor generates an exception while already handling an exception, or when the exception handler itself raises an exception. This is a catastrophic kernel state typically caused by severe memory corruption, a corrupted stack, or a defective memory module that corrupted critical kernel data structures. The steps below are ordered to resolve this efficiently.

Common Causes

• Severely defective RAM module
• Stack overflow in kernel mode
• Corrupted kernel page tables

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

• 1
  Replace RAM immediately

  Hardware RAM failure is the most frequent cause of DOUBLE_FAULT. Replace or test individual sticks to isolate the defective module.

• 2
  Run MemTest86 multiple passes

  A complete Windows reinstall may be required after replacing bad RAM to repair corrupted system files.

• 3
  Check for BIOS memory settings

  Still seeing DOUBLE-FAULT after that? "Check for BIOS memory settings" is the next thing to check.

Commands & Diagnostics

Frequently Asked Questions