Windows Update Stability Help

Windows Update Stability Help

What to do if your PC shows a blue screen, stop code, black screen, random crash, or becomes unstable after a Windows update.

Why this can happen

One of the things we are very proud of at Pink Parsnip Computers is that we always try to optimise your system to the very best of our ability before it is released.

Every PC we build is stress tested and benchmarked before dispatch. This includes testing the graphics card, processor, power supply, memory, storage and overall system stability to make sure the PC is running as quickly and as reliably as possible.

However, one of the things that is completely outside of our control is third party software. This includes game launchers, games, graphics card drivers, software updates and Windows Update.

As a business, we could choose to disable Windows updates on every PC we build. However, we make a conscious decision not to do that.

Every Pink Parsnip Computers PC is built to be Windows 11 compliant and activated. We believe Windows updates are important because they can include key security updates that help protect you, your family and your PC.

Unfortunately, even Microsoft can occasionally release updates that do not go smoothly. When that happens, it can cause system instability. You may see things such as random blue screens, black screens, crashes, error messages or stop codes. We completely understand that this can be frustrating and sometimes a little scary.

One common thing to try first

There are many things that can cause Windows crashes or stop codes, but one of the common things to try first is disabling something called XMP or EXPO in the BIOS.

Your PC memory is the DDR4 or DDR5 RAM inside the system. When we build a gaming PC, we will often enable XMP or EXPO where supported. This is a factory memory performance profile that allows the memory to run at its intended faster speed, helping to get the best gaming performance from the system.

It is not unusual for a Windows update, driver change, failed update or restart issue to cause instability with memory training. Disabling XMP or EXPO is a safe first step to see whether the PC becomes stable again.

Please try the guide below first. If this does not resolve the issue, please raise a support ticket and we will contact you to see if we can arrange a remote session or advise on the next steps.

How to disable XMP or EXPO in the BIOS

Please do not worry if you have never used the BIOS before. It is simply a settings screen for the PC before Windows loads.

Step by step guide

  1. Turn the PC fully off.
  2. Turn the PC back on and immediately start pressing the Delete key repeatedly on the keyboard.
  3. Keep pressing Delete until you see the BIOS screen appear. This may look like a settings screen rather than normal Windows.
  4. Look for a setting called one of the following:

    XMP
    EXPO
    A XMP
    D.O.C.P
    Memory Profile
  5. This setting is usually found on the first BIOS screen, or inside a menu called:

    OC
    Tweaker
    Ai Tweaker
    Advanced Memory Settings
  6. Change the setting to Disabled or Auto.
  7. Press F10 on the keyboard.
  8. The PC should ask if you want to save and exit. Choose Yes.
  9. The PC will restart. Please then check whether Windows loads normally.

Important note

Disabling XMP or EXPO may slightly reduce memory speed, but it is a useful troubleshooting step. The aim is to get the PC stable first. Once the system is stable again, memory settings can be reviewed if needed.

If you are unsure what to press or what screen you are looking at, please take a photo of the BIOS screen and send it to us. We can then guide you.

When to contact us

If disabling XMP or EXPO does not resolve the issue, please raise a support ticket using our customer support page.

Please include as much information as possible, including:

  • The stop code shown on the screen, if there is one
  • Whether the issue started after a Windows update
  • Whether the PC gets into Windows or crashes before loading
  • Any photos or videos of the error message
  • What you were doing when the issue happened

You can raise a support request here:
Pink Parsnip Computers Customer Support

We are here to help

Windows errors can look worrying, but many of them can be resolved with the right troubleshooting steps. If the guide above does not fix the problem, please contact us through support and we will help you with the next steps.