Running a memory diagnostic is a critical troubleshooting step for fixing random crashes, "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD) errors, and system freezes. Both Windows and Mac include built-in tools for this, though advanced users often prefer third-party software for more rigorous testing.
This guide will walk you through every method of running memory diagnostics, from built-in Windows tools to advanced Linux utilities. By the end, you will know exactly how to test, interpret, and fix memory-related problems.
Shift during boot → Select "Memory test (Memtest86+)." Note: This is a bootable environment, not within the OS.memtester (sudo apt install memtester). Test free memory: sudo memtester 1024 5 (Tests 1GB, 5 loops). Limitation: Cannot test kernel-reserved memory.© 2026 Frosted Loop
