Oxidation of the gold contacts of the memory module

What is PIN-OXIDATION?

Oxidation of the gold contacts of the memory module (PIN-OXIDATION) is a critical-severity fault affecting the system memory (RAM). Contact with the socket is broken due to dirt or oxidation on the pin. The usual suspects are different modules in one board, poor quality CPU controller, frequency too high and dust in slot. Follow the steps below to fix it.

Common Causes

• Different modules in one board
• Poor quality CPU controller
• Frequency too high
• Dust in slot

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

• 1
  Disable XMP profile in BIOS

  Start with Disable XMP profile in BIOS — it clears the most frequent root cause behind PIN-OXIDATION in the majority of cases we've seen.

• 2
  Clean the RAM contacts with a school eraser

  If the fault persists, continue with the next steps, which account for less common ram instability causes.

• 3
  Update BIOS for better compatibility

  For lingering PIN-OXIDATION cases, "Update BIOS for better compatibility" is worth running through.

Commands & Diagnostics

Frequently Asked Questions