Fix: The Exception Unknown Software Exception (0xe0000008)

Muhammad ZubyanPublished on December 8, 2024
Zubyan is a certified PCHP and Google IT Support Professional.

The error message “The exception unknown software exception (0xe0000008)” usually points to issues with system memory, corrupted files, or conflicting software. This error can cause applications like Chrome, Discord, or Teams to crash, leading to unexpected freezes or black screens. It’s often a sign that something in your system is trying to access memory it shouldn’t, or a program is interfering with another process. This is a common issue and can be easily resolved. Let’s explore the methods that will help you solve this problem.

Basic Solutions

Before we jump into more advanced methods, let’s cover some quick fixes that could resolve the issue right away:

  • Sometimes, a simple restart can clear temporary glitches and fix the problems.
  • Ensure your system and the applications you’re using are up-to-date. Doing so can resolve many compatibility issues that might trigger the error.
  • Run a full system scan to ensure your PC isn’t infected by any malicious software that could be causing conflicts.
While malware can certainly cause system instability and errors, it’s not usually the primary cause of the “0xe0000008” exception error. The issue is more commonly related to memory, disk issues, or software conflicts. However, malware can sometimes interfere with system processes, making the situation worse.

1. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

Memory issues are often a hidden reason behind this error. Windows provides a built-in diagnostic tool to check for problems with your system’s RAM, which might be causing the exception error.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
  3. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended). This will restart your PC and begin the memory test.
  4. Wait for the scan to complete. Your PC will automatically reboot, and the result will appear on the screen.
If any memory issues are detected, you may need to re-seat your RAM or consider replacing it. If no issues are found, congrats! Let’s move on to the next step for further investigation.

Re-seating your RAM is a simple process where you physically remove the RAM stick(s) from their slot(s) on the motherboard and reinstall them.

3. Run CHKDSK and System File Checker (SFC)

Disk errors and corrupted system files can often lead to issues like the “0xe0000008” exception error. To fix this, we’ll run both CHKDSK (for checking disk integrity) and SFC (for fixing corrupted system files) in one go.

  1. Press Windows + R and type Command Prompt. Run as (administrator) to open it with administrative rights.
  2. In the Command Prompt Window, type the following command and press Enter.
    chkdsk C: /f
    Replace “C:” with the drive letter you want to scan, if it’s not the main drive where your Windows is installed.
  3. If the drive is in use, you’ll be prompted to schedule a disk check after the next restart. Type Y and press Enter to confirm.
  4. Restart your PC. The system will check your disk for errors and automatically fix any issues it finds.
  5. Once the scan is complete, check the result in Event Viewer to see if there are any additional fixes needed. To do this, press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter. Then go to Windows Logs > Application and filter by Chkdsk to find the log of the scan results.

3.1 Run the System File Checker (SFC)

After running CHKDSK, we’ll proceed with SFC to check and repair any corrupted system files:

  1. In the same Command Prompt window (running as Administrator), type the following command and press Enter.
    sfc /scannow

  2. The tool will scan and attempt to fix any corrupted or missing system files that might be causing the error.
  3. After the scan completes and repairs (if any were made), restart your PC.

These two tools, when run together, should help you address both disk and file issues that might be triggering the “0xe0000008” error.

4. Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

We did all quick and basic methods, but if the issue persists, it’s time to address virtual memory. Virtual memory is a part of your storage (usually your hard drive or SSD) that acts as additional RAM when your system’s physical RAM is full. If your virtual memory settings are incorrect, it could lead to issues like the “0xe0000008” exception error.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > About > Advanced system settings (on the right side).
  3. Under Performance, click on Settings.
  4. Go to the Advanced tab.
    Under Virtual memory, click on Change.
  5. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.

Set Custom Size:

  • Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually the C: drive).
  • Click on Custom size and enter the following values:

Initial Size:

  • Multiply your RAM size by 1024 (since 1024MB = 1GB) and then multiply it by 1.5 (e.g., for 16GB RAM, it’s 16 * 1024 = 16,384MB, then 16,384 * 1.5 = 24,576MB).

Maximum Size:

  • Multiply your RAM size by 1024 and then multiply it by 3 (e.g., for 16GB RAM, it’s 16 * 1024 = 16,384MB, then 16,384 * 3 = 49,152MB).
  1. Click Set and then OK to apply the changes.
  2. Restart your PC to let the changes take effect.

Once the virtual memory settings are adjusted, check if the “0xe0000008” error is resolved. Proper virtual memory settings can help improve system stability and prevent crashes related to memory overload.

5. Reinstall the Affected Application

As we’ve gone through all the troubleshooting steps related to the error, it’s possible the issue lies with the app itself. Sometimes, apps can develop glitches or bugs that aren’t immediately noticeable but can cause unexpected errors like the one we’re facing.

If the error is persistent after trying all the solutions, a clean reinstall can often resolve it.

  • Uninstall the problematic app through Control Panel or Settings > Apps.
  • Visit the official website for the app (such as Chrome, Discord, Teams) and download the latest version.
  • Reinstall the app and check if the error still appears.

Reinstalling ensures that any corrupted or leftover files causing glitches are completely removed, giving the app a fresh start and eliminating potential bugs that could be interfering with its performance.

6. Restore or Reset Your PC

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting methods and the error still persists, it could be time to restore your system or perform a factory reset.

6.1 Use System Restore:

If you’ve set up System Restore Points earlier, you can restore your system to a previous state when everything was working fine. Sometimes, after installing software or a significant Windows update, restore points are automatically generated.

  1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter to open System Restore.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point before the error appeared.
  3. Click Next, then Finish to restore your PC to that point.

7.2 Reset Your PC:

If System Restore isn’t available or doesn’t fix the issue, you can try resetting your PC to restore Windows to its default settings.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
  3. Under Reset this PC, click Get Started.
  4. Choose either Keep my files (this will remove apps but keep personal files) or Remove Everything (This will fully wipe your PC, so ensure you backup important files).
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

After resetting, Reinstall your applications, and check if the error is resolved. And that’s it!

Hopefully, these steps helped you get your system back to running smoothly.

Muhammad ZubyanPublished on December 8, 2024
Zubyan is a certified PCHP and Google IT Support Professional.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Muhammad Zubyan


Muhammad Zubyan is a certified Google IT Support Professional with over 7 years of extensive experience. He has worked on more than 1500 computers, gaining valuable insights that enable him to detect and troubleshoot any complicated root cause of Windows-related issues and errors. In addition to managing Appuals as a Senior Editor, he is currently developing his own Game Optimization program that caters to both gamers and casual users alike.