Copy important files to another drive or cloud storage before anything else. A drive that keeps resetting can stop responding completely. If Windows cannot start, see the startup guide.
Work through these checks
0 of 7 complete01Confirm the resets in Event Viewer
Freezes have many causes. Event ID 129 shows that the storage controller, not a program, is the problem, and how often it happens.
- Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc and press Enter.
- Go to Windows Logs > System and choose Filter Current Log. Type 129 in the event ID box and click OK.
- Check that the events come from stornvme and note when they happen: at startup, after waking from sleep, during games, or while copying large files.
You see the reset warnings and roughly when they occur. Events near the times you noticed freezes confirm this is the cause.
If it does not helpIf the source is storahci or another driver, the affected drive is a SATA drive or another controller. The same steps still apply, except the firmware tool may differ.
02Back up your data
Every following step changes something about the drive. Do it with a fresh backup.
- Copy documents, photos and other irreplaceable files to an external drive or cloud storage.
- If the problem drive holds Windows, consider creating a full system image with your backup software.
Your important files exist on another device.
If it does not helpIf copying causes repeated freezes or errors, copy the most important files first and stop using the drive for anything else.
03Check the drive's health and temperature
A drive that is overheating or wearing out needs different action from one with a settings or firmware problem.
- Install your SSD maker's tool, for example Samsung Magician, WD Dashboard, Crucial Storage Executive or Kingston SSD Manager, or a general tool such as CrystalDiskInfo.
- Check the health status, the media/data integrity errors counter, and the temperature while the drive is busy (for example while copying a large file).
- Compare the temperature with the maximum in the drive's specifications.
The drive reports good health with no media errors and stays below its temperature limit.
If it does not helpIf health is poor or media errors are growing, skip to the last step. If it runs hot, fit the motherboard's M.2 heatsink or an aftermarket one, and make sure the case has airflow.
04Update the SSD firmware
Several SSD models have had firmware bugs that cause timeouts and resets, fixed in later firmware versions.
- In the SSD maker's tool, check for a firmware update for your exact model.
- Close other programs, connect a laptop to its charger and run the update.
- Restart when the tool asks you to.
Do not switch off the PC during a firmware update. Read the release notes: a few updates require a backup because they can erase data.
The drive runs the latest firmware and the tool confirms the update.
If it does not helpWatch Event Viewer for new 129 events over the next few days.
05Turn off PCI Express power saving
Link State Power Management lets the PCIe connection to the drive enter low-power states when idle. Some drive and motherboard combinations do not wake up in time, which causes resets, often after idle periods or sleep.
- Open Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
- Expand PCI Express > Link State Power Management and set it to Off (for both On battery and Plugged in on laptops).
- If the setting is not listed, look in the BIOS for ASPM, Native ASPM or PCIe power management and disable it for the M.2 slot.
- Restart the PC.
The resets that happened after idle time or waking from sleep stop.
If it does not helpThis slightly increases power use. On a laptop, keep the setting only if it fixes the problem.
06Reseat the drive and check the slot settings
A drive that is not fully seated, or a PCIe link running at a speed it cannot hold reliably, produces exactly these timeouts.
- Shut down, unplug the PC and ground yourself by touching a metal part of the case.
- Remove the M.2 drive, check the connector for dust or damage, reinsert it fully and fix it with its screw or latch.
- If the motherboard has several M.2 slots, try another one, preferably one connected directly to the processor (see the motherboard manual).
- In the BIOS, if the slot is set to the newest PCIe generation, try setting it one generation lower (for example Gen4 instead of Gen5) as a test.
Laptops: only open the case if the manufacturer allows it, as it can affect the warranty.
The drive is detected normally and the resets stop.
If it does not helpIf a lower PCIe generation fixes it, check for a BIOS update for your motherboard before keeping the slower setting permanently.
07Replace the drive if resets continue
If the drive keeps resetting with current firmware, power saving off and a good connection, the drive itself is the likely cause.
- Check whether the drive is still under warranty using its serial number on the manufacturer's website.
- Contact the manufacturer with the Event ID 129 details and the health report from the SSD tool.
- Move your data to a new drive as soon as possible.
The manufacturer replaces the drive, or you move to a new one before data is lost.
If it does not helpIf another drive in the same slot shows the same resets, the motherboard slot or BIOS is the more likely cause; contact the motherboard or PC manufacturer.
Possible causes
- PCI Express power saving putting the drive to sleep too aggressively
- A known bug in the SSD's firmware
- The SSD overheating under load
- A loose drive or an unstable M.2 slot or PCIe speed setting
- A failing SSD
Useful Windows tools
These commands open Windows tools. Review changes before applying them.
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