(SOLVED) Why Windows 11 Won’t Boot With New RAM?

Why is my Windows 11 PC not booting up after changing RAM?

The main reason why a Windows 11 PC is not booting after changing RAM is because the system is unable to support the RAM upgrade.

This is true if you have installed a significantly higher GB of RAM than the previous one. Another reason could be a faulty CMOS battery.

 

Other possible reasons for this issue are:

• RAM sticks are inserted in the wrong slots
• Installation of bad RAM sticks
• RAM sticks are not seated in the right position
• A faulty CMOS battery

 

Incompatible RAM

You may have installed a new set of upgraded RAM sticks for optimal performance of your PC. However, if your PC’s motherboard is not compatible with the higher RAM – say 16GB or so – then your PC won’t boot.

 

RAM sticks are inserted in the wrong slots

The computer has four slots for RAM sticks named 1, 2, 3, and 4. The RAM sticks should be inserted in the correct slots to work efficiently.

 

Installation of bad RAM sticks

If you buy corrupted or bad RAM sticks, you will see that your system cannot recognize them. Also, if your motherboard isn’t incompatible with the RAM sticks, the system won’t work. Ensure that you have genuine sticks and that you have installed the recommended brand of RAM.

 

RAM sticks are not seated in the right position

Your computer has four slots. You should insert the RAM sticks in a particular combination of the slots – 1 and 3 or 2 and 4. If you have installed one stick in 3 and the other in 4, the system won’t boot or will have a problem booting as it will run on a single stick.

 

A faulty CMOS battery

A faulty CMOS battery also causes trouble in booting. You should check the battery and see if it’s working fine. Removing the battery and replacing it with a new one will help resolve the issue. However, before replacing the battery, you should reset CMOS to see if the issue is resolved.

 

 

How to fix Windows 11 not booting after changing RAM?

To fix Windows 11 not booting after changing RAM, reset RAM, roll Windows 11 back or reseat RAM sticks.

 

Reset RAM [Method 1]

1. Download the software called RAM Def 2.6 Xtreme.
2. Unzip the file.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software; it will take around 5 minutes.
4. Start the program and let it run.

 

Roll Windows 11 Back [Method 2]

1. Press the Windows + R keys.
2. In the run dialog box, type rstrui
3. Click OK.
4. This step will bring up System Restore.
5. Press Next.
6. Select the check box next to Show more restore point.
7. Select the oldest restore point.
8. Click on Next.
9. Select Finish.

 

Reseat RAM Sticks [Method 3]

1. Power off the computer.
2. Plug out all the peripheral devices.
3. Take off the cover.
4. Locate the RAM sticks.
5. Check if they are seated in the right position.
6. Put the cover back on.
7. Turn on the computer.

 

Power Reset [Method 4]

1. Turn off the system.
2. Remove the CMOS battery.
3. Hold the Power button for 20 seconds.
4. Replace the cell.
5. Reconnect all the components.

Check RAM Capacity [Method 5]

1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Open the Windows Terminal (Admin) app.
3. In the Windows Terminal, enter the code, wmic memphysical get maxcapacity
4. Hit Enter.
5. The number displayed will tell you the maximum RAM capacity in kb.
6. If the installed RAM is more than this, your system will not support it.
7. Install a lower-capacity RAM.
8. Reboot the computer.

 

How to fix an inaccessible boot device after RAM upgrade?

To fix an inaccessible boot device after RAM upgrade, run the system file scan, run the check disc scan or roll Windows back.

 

Run The System File Scan [Method 1]

1. Go to the Windows 11 search tool located in the taskbar.
2. In the search text box, type cmd
3. Choose the Run as administrator option.
4. Open the Command Prompt window.
5. Input the command DISM.exe/Online/Cleanup-image/Restorehealth, and press Enter.
6. Type the SFC command, sfc/scannow, press Enter.
7. Its outcome will be visible once the scan reaches 100 per cent verification.

 

Run The Check Disk Scan [Method 2]

1. Go to the Windows 11 search tool located in the taskbar.
2. In the search text box, type cmd
3. Choose the Run as administrator option.
4. Open the Command Prompt window.
5. Type the command chkdsk/r C:
6. Press Enter.
7. Wait for the scan to finish.
8. Click on the Start menu.
9. Click Restart.

 

Roll Windows 11 Back [Method 3]

1. Press the Windows + R keys.
2. In the run dialog box, type rstrui
3. Click OK.
4. This step will bring up System Restore.
5. Press Next.
6. Select the check box next to Show more restore point.
7. Select the oldest restore point.
8. Click on Next.
9. Select Finish.

 

Why does BIOS recognize RAM but Windows 11 won’t boot?

The reason why your Windows 11 won’t boot even when the BIOS recognizes it is because of a faulty RAM stick. To fix the issue, check for the faulty sticks through the trial-and-error method.

 

You can also try resetting the CMOS battery.

 

To do this, you will have to follow these steps:

 

1. Turn off the peripheral devices.
2. Disconnect the computer from the power source.
3. Remove the computer case.
4. Find the battery – the coin-shaped round battery.
5. Take it out.
6. Wait for at least 5 minutes.
7. Reconnect the battery.
8. Put back the cover.
9. Start the computer.

 

What to do after installing new RAM Windows 11?

After installing new RAM Windows 11, you should always turn off your computer and start it again so no disruptions come in the way.

 

When Installing the RAM

 

On Desktop Computers

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Remove all the cables.
3. Open the cover plate of the PC.
4. Search for the RAM slots.
5. Carefully remove each stick.
6. Reinstall the sticks. Ensure that they are seated in their slots firmly.
7. Reassemble all the components.
8. Turn on the CPU.
9. The system will boot without any disruptions.

 

For Laptop

1. Turn off Windows.
2. Remove the power cord — if the laptop is plugged in.
3. Open the laptop’s back cover; you may need a screwdriver to unscrew the screws.
4. Locate the RAM chip and take it out.
5. Align the chip’s ridge and notch carefully.
6. Place it back carefully.
7. You will hear a click sound, which will indicate that the chip has been placed properly.
8. Reassemble the computer.
9. Power it on.

 

Check If The New RAM Is Detected

1. Press the Windows + I keys.
2. Launch the Settings app.
3. Click on the System option.
4. Choose About.
5. Find Installed RAM under Device Specifications to check RAM capacity.
6. If it is the same as the old one, the system is incompatible with RAM.

 

How do I fix usable RAM in Windows 11?

To fix usable RAM in Windows 11, run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, check page file or modify the usable RAM.

Run The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool [Method 1]

1. Press the Windows + S keys.
2. In the Search menu, enter Windows Memory Diagnostic.
3. Click on the Windows Memory Diagnostic app.
4. Select the Restart now and check for problems (recommended) option.

 

Check Page File [Method 2]

1. Press the Windows + S keys.
2. Type View advanced system settings.
3. Select the relevant app.
4. Go to the Advanced tab.
5. Find Settings under the Performance option.
6. Now go to the Performance Options tab and scroll to Advanced.
7. Under Virtual Memory, select Change.
8. Untick the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives checkbox.
9. Check the No paging file option.
10. Tap Set.
11. Click Yes.
12. Repeat the process for all drives.
13. Click OK.
14. Save the changes

 

Modify The Usable RAM [Method 3]

1. Press the Windows + S keys.
2. Search System Configuration.
3. Choose the relevant search result.
4. Go to Boot.
5. Select Advanced options.
6. Choose Maximum memory.
7. Enter the installed RAM.
8. Click OK.
9. In the next window, click OK to save the changes made.
10. Restart the computer.
11. If it doesn’t work, uncheck the Maximum memory box.
12. Save the changes.

 

How to fix Windows 11 stop code memory management error?

To fix Windows 11 stop code memory management error, Press the Windows + R keys,in the Run dialog box, type MdSched, hit Enter, click OK.

 

1. When the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool starts, click the Restart now and check for problems option.
2. As the computer restarts, the tool will start a diagnostic scan.
3. It may take several steps to finish.

 

How do I fix memory errors in Windows 11?

To fix memory errors in Windows 11, press the Windows + R keys, type resmon in the Run window, press Enter.

 

1. Resource Monitor will open now.
2. Go to the Memory tab.
3. Look at the Standby memory.
4. Close all the apps.
5. Ideally, the Standby memory should be low. If it is still high, you are having a memory leak issue.

 

Close File Explorer To Fix The Issue [Method 2]

1. Close all the windows of File Explorer.
2. Right-click on File Explorer in the taskbar.
3. Click on Close all windows.
4. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys and open the Task Manager.
5. In the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab.
6. Search for Windows Explorer.
7. Right-click on it and choose Restart.
8. It will restart Files Explorer and free up some RAM space.