How to Make Sure that your PC RAM is Healthy?

Lately, my PC has been acting up with sluggish performance, apps keep freezing, and crashing occasionally. At first, I brushed it off, thinking maybe I had too many tabs open in Chrome or needed a Windows update. But even after cleaning things up, the problems stuck around. That’s when I started wondering if something was wrong with the hardware, specifically, the RAM.

RAM (also known as Random Access Memory) plays a big role in how smoothly your computer runs. If it’s faulty, everything slows down or crashes without warning. I realized I had never actually checked my RAM’s health before. So, I decided to figure out how to do it safely without damaging the electrical components.

After some digging, I found that some clear signs and tools can help you check if your RAM is in good shape. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and knowing how to spot issues early can save you a lot of trouble, especially when it comes to performance. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make sure your PC’s RAM is healthy based on my own experience.

How to Find if RAM Memory is in Good Condition on your Computer?

If you’ve also been wondering why your computer system feels slower than usual, or if random crashes are becoming more frequent, it might be a good time to check your RAM’s health. Regularly checking your RAM with the right tools can help you catch problems early and save you from future headaches.

Here is a checklist I have prepared by searching multiple articles, forums, and blog posts over the internet regarding RAM health & its maintenance.

Step 1: Clean RAM Connection Points

• First, make sure to open your U or Laptop back to access the RAM slot area.
• Here, carefully remove the RAM from the slots. These slots are very fragile, so make sure you do not put excessive pressure while removing out RAM chips.
• Clean RAM connecting points (golden colored) using a Q-tip dipped in either Nail polish remover, thinner solution, or isopropyl alcohol solution.

• Once cleaned, dry the RAM chips thoroughly to ensure no moisture remains.
• Now, clean the RAM slot by blowing air into it, and then reinsert the RAM chips in their original position.

Step 2: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic

• Open the Windows Start menu, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic“, and click on the “Run as ” option.
• Click on the “Restart now and check for problems” option. This will restart your computer/laptop and will start scanning RAM for issues. Please note that you won’t be able to use your computer while the test is running.

• Your computer will restart, and a screen for the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will show up. You don’t need to do anything; just let it run the test.

• While the test runs, you’ll see a progress bar and a message showing if any problems are found.

If at any point in time you see any errors, it means there is a hardware fault with your RAM and it needs to be replaced. If you don’t see any errors, then move on to step 3 below.

Step 3: Run MemTest86 Diagnostic

• and launch the MemTest86 Diagnostic software.
• Insert a flash drive into your computer and choose the “Write image to USB drive” option.
• Then select the “Post image verification” option from the left and click on the “Write” button.

• Restart your computer and boot from this newly created media disk.
• MemTest86 will launch on its own and begin testing your computer’s memory. The test may take several hours, depending on how much RAM your computer has.

• Once finished, you will see the faulty RAM stick details, such as vendor & Part number, on the result page as highlighted. You must remove or replace the faulty RAM sticks.

How To Make Sure That Your PC RAM Is Healthy: FAQs

While I was investigating the issue of healthy RAM online, I came across a plethora of questions people had regarding this issue. So I have compiled some of the most asked queries and tried to answer them here.

Que: How do I know if my RAM is failing?

Ans: If you witness frequent system crashes, random reboots, programs freezing, or the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), then it indicates there is some issue with the RAM. Slower performance or errors while installing software can also indicate faulty RAM.

Que: I have two RAM sticks installed on my computer/Laptop, and one of them is faulty. Should I need to change both RAM sticks?

Ans: You only need to change the RAM stick that is faulty. If replacement RAM is not available, you may also run your computer with a single healthy RAM stick.

Que: Can faulty RAM damage my PC?

Ans: A faulty or unhealthy RAM will not damage your computer components, but it may lead to file corruption and system instability.

Que: I ran all the steps mentioned above, and haven’t found any issues with my RAM.

Ans: If you have run all the above steps and find no issues with the RAM, it means that your computer’s RAM is healthy and functional. In such cases, issues might be with your storage device, either HDD or SSD.

Que: How often should I check my RAM’s health?

Ans: Checking it once or twice a year as part of routine maintenance is enough.

Que: Can I fix the faulty RAM, or should I replace it?

Ans: If you find that there are issues with your RAM, you must replace it immediately, as faulty RAM cannot be repaired.

Conclusion

If your RAM isn’t in a healthy state, faulty, or under stress, everything from basic internet browsing, multitasking, and gaming takes a hit. From my own experience, I’ve learned that even small signs like lag or freezing can point to deeper issues. Regularly checking your RAM with the right tools and processes shared above can help you catch problems early.

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