The Windows 11 version of 24H2 has been experiencing some issues with certain SSDs from Western Digital and SanDisk, which later resulted in a blue screen of death. The root cause of this blue screen death lies in the host memory buffer, or shortly called HMB on some SSDs that are from these manufacturers.
The host memory buffer is what stores a map of data locations within the SSD’s flash memory chips, and it will constantly be updated as the data is added or deleted. There are two types of SSDs to exist: DRAM-based SSDs and DRAM-less SSDs. The DRAM-based SSDs will store the map in a dedicated DRAM module. And the DRAM-less SSDs store the map along with the PC’s system memory. Fortunately, Western Digital has now released a permanent solution in the form of a firmware update.
It will eliminate the need for registry tweak workarounds whenever a blue screen of death happens. The registry tweak workarounds are a temporary solution for the blue screen of death, and they are used to bypass the Windows 11 and SSD compatibility issue, which only provides a temporary solution.
It involves modifying the window registry to prevent blue screens of death (BSODs) caused by the host memory buffer. So by using this update, without using the registry tweak workarounds, you could solve the issues permanently.
If you are one of the many people who are experiencing this similar issue of a blue screen of death, according to the Windows latest report, the new update is causing many system failures or a blue screen of death. The issues that come up after updating may also be driver-related crashes, undeletable update cache files, or even no internet connection. The signs of a blue screen of death include a screen showing the text “a critical process has died” on it.
If you see that, it means your system has a blue screen of death. So it is essential for you to update your SSD’s firmware. This will ensure you seamless performance with Windows 11 version 24H2. Keep in mind that Microsoft might block the update on PCs if your firmware is outdated.
How do I update the SSD’s firmware? Simple: Visit Western Digital’s support page and download the Western Digital Dashboard app (available for Windows users only). Now launch the app and follow the prompts shown on the screen to update your firmware. Now you have to monitor several factors related to your drive, such as your drive’s health, drive’s temperature, and performance. Once it is updated, you can now safely upgrade to the Windows 11 version 24H2.
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