Fix: Power Kernel BSOD (70368744177664),(2)
Some users have been having a critical Power Kernel BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) crash where the system automatically restarts without any warning. Most affected users are reporting that the issue is occurring when they playing a game or doing something that drains a lot of system resources. Upon investigating the issue, some affected users have discovered recurring Critical Kernel-Power error inside the Event Viewer. In most reported cases, the issue is encountered on Windows 10 and Windows 8.
What is causing the Power Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error?
We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies that are commonly used to resolve this particular Event Viewer error. Based on our investigations, there are several common scenarios that are known to trigger the Power Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error:
- Fast startup is enabled – Several users that have been encountering this particular BSOD while the computer was in idle reported that the issue was no longer occurring after they disabled Fast Startup.
- BSOD is caused by failing RAM – As several users have reported, this particular issue can be caused by a failing RAM stick. If this scenario is applicable, you can resolve the issue by investing in a new RAM stick or by underclocking the RAM frequency.
- Automatic fail-safe is triggered – Most motherboard models include a fail safe that will automatically restart or shutdown themselves when certain temperatures are being reached. This is done in order to avoid permanent damage to your components. In this case, using a temperature monitoring program and buying aftermarket cooler (if needed) might resolve the issue.
- BIOS but – As it turns out, this particular issue can also be triggered by a BIOS bug commonly encountered on MSI and ASUS motherboards. The bug was already patched, so you can resolve the issue (if this scenario is applicable) by updating your BIOS to the latest version available.
- Insufficient PSU – If the crash happens during resource-draining tasks, the issue might be caused in those instances where the power supply unit is incapable of providing enough power. In this case, you can either remove some none-essential components or upgrade to a more powerful PSU.
If you’re currently looking for ways to prevent the Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error from ever occurring again, this article will provide you with several troubleshooting steps. Down below, you’ll find a collection of methods that other users in a similar situation have successfully used to either circumvent or resolve this particular error message.
For the best results, follow the potential fixes in the order that they are presented in. One of them is bound to resolve the issue in your particular scenario.
Method 1: Disabling Fast startup
if you’re encountering random Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) system crashes and you’re not doing anything too demanding while this issue occurs (your CPU is Idle), this issue might be caused by Windows 10’s Fast startup feature.
We have found over a dozen of reports with users that we’re no longer encountering the Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) after they disabled Fast Startup from their Power Options menu. This seems to point towards a scenario where the issue is caused by a glitch or bug with the Fast Startup feature.
Until Microsoft decides to patch this problem, you can prevent any further Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) system crashes by disabling the Fast Startup feature from your Power options menu. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
- Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “powercfg.cpl” and hit Enter to open up the Power Options menu.
- Inside the Power Options menu, use the left-hand side menu to click on Choose what the power buttons do.
- Inside the System Settings menu, click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Next, uncheck the box associated with Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click on Save changes (at the bottom of this window).
- Restart your computer and see if the issue is still occurring after the next startup is complete.
If the issue was still not resolved, move down to the next method below.
Method 2: Reducing GPU / CPU overclocking frequencies
Another common reason why other affected users encountered the Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error is an overclocked CPU or GPU that triggers instability. In most cases, the BSOD crash ends up being triggered by component overheating.
A couple of affected users have reported that the issue was no longer occurring after they reduced their overclocking frequencies (CPU and/or GPU). If you’re working with custom frequencies and voltages for your GPU or CPU, try reverting to the default values (even if the system looks stable while in full load).
Note: You might also want to check your fans, re-apply thermal compound on your CPU, dust and airflow just to cross them off your potential culprit list.
Try using the system with the default frequencies and voltages value for a while and see if the Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error returns. If the BSOD crash doesn’t return, gradually raise the values (if you wish to overclock again) until and be careful to avoid stepping outside the stable state.
Method 3: Replacing the PSU
Another popular reason why this error occurs is due to insufficient power that can be provided by your PSU (power supply unit). If you’re working with an underpowered PSU and you notice that your computer is crashing with the Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error when it’s tasked with doing something resource-demanding, one possible reason for this is that your system needs more power than your PSU is capable of supplying.
You can test out this theory by removing any devices that are not essential (optical drive, additional HDD, non-critical peripherals, etc.) It also helps to underclock any frequencies from your GPU, RAM or CPU (if you previously overclocked).
If you noticed that the issue is no longer occurring after you’ve eased the burden of your PSU, you’ll need to invest into a more powerful unit if you want to accommodate all your PC’s components.
Method 4: Updating motherboard BIOS
Some users have reported that the issue was no longer occurring after they updated their motherboard BIOS. This suggests that the issue can also be caused by a BIOS but that ends up crashing the system.
But keep in mind that the steps of updating your BIOS version will be specific to the motherboard model that you’re dealing with. Most manufacturers will have proprietary software that needs to be used to update the BIOS – Asus has E-Z flash, MSI has MFlash, and so on.
In order to update your motherboard BIOS version, you’ll need to look for specific steps related to your particular model. And if you haven’t done this before, we recommend that you outsource this task to an IT technician as this procedure might end up bricking your system.
Method 5: Dealing with failing RAM
As it turns out, this particular issue can also be triggered by a failing RAM stick or by a custom frequency or voltage higher than your RAM stick is capable of maintaining in full load. Several affected users that we’re struggling to resolve the Kernel BSOD (70368744177664) error have reported that the issue was finally fixed after they either replaced their current RAM stick with a new one or reverted the custom voltages & frequencies to the default.
If you’re currently overclocking your RAM voltages & frequencies, try to revert to the default values and see if the issue is still occurring. You should also consider using a program like HWmonitor to keep an eye on your voltages and overall temperatures while your computer is in full load.
If you found that your system stability has improved once you have reverted your RAM to the default voltage & frequency values, you have two choices:
- Stick with the default voltage & frequency.
- Buy superior RAM capable of withstanding higher frequencies & voltages.
