Windows 11 24H2 Update: BSOD Issues with Western Digital SSDs

If you've recently updated to Windows 11 24H2 and are experiencing a sudden spate of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes, you're not alone. Following the deployment of this latest update, certain models of Western Digital SSDs have been identified as the culprits behind these critical failures. First reported by Windows Latest, the issue specifically affects users with specific SSDs, leading to a frustrating experience as system failures disrupt normal computing tasks.

What SSDs Are Affected?​

From the voices of users within the Western Digital forums, two main models have emerged as the troublemakers:

• WD SN770
• WD SN580

Users with these SSDs have reported encountering BSODs featuring the ominous error message: "Critical Process Has Died." This issue arises specifically after updating to Windows 11 24H2, indicating a clear association between the update and the malfunctioning drives.

Why Are the Crashes Happening?​

The root cause of these crashes is thought to be linked to faulty memory drivers that struggle to handle the Host Memory Buffer (HMB) requirements inherent in these SSD models. The HMB is designed to enhance performance by allowing the SSD to utilize system memory more efficiently. However, issues with this setup have been noted, particularly in contexts where updates can exacerbate underlying driver deficiencies.
Interestingly, these SSD models previously gave users trouble with a different Windows update (23H2), indicating that their compatibility issues may be a persistent problem for Western Digital products within the Windows ecosystem.

Troubleshooting: Temporary Workaround​

It's worth noting that reinstalling Windows or physically repositioning the drives is unlikely to provide relief from this crashing issue. However, there is a workaround to temporarily alleviate the problem:

Steps to Disable HMB in Windows Registry:​

1. Hit the Start menu and type Registry Editor to locate the app.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
   

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\stornvme\Parameters\Device

3. Look for HMBAllocationPolicy in the right panel. If it’s not present, right-click in an empty space and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it HMBAllocationPolicy.
4. Double-click on HMBAllocationPolicy and set its value to 0.
5. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Caution: Disabling HMB may negatively impact SSD performance, but it serves as a necessary stopgap while a more permanent solution from Microsoft or Western Digital is pending.

The Bigger Picture​

It’s essential for Windows users with impacted hardware to stay vigilant. With Microsoft and Western Digital reportedly aware of the crashes, many are eagerly waiting for an official patch that may resolve these issues more comprehensively.
Additionally, this situation underscores the importance of driver stability, particularly with critical updates. As systems evolve, manufacturers must keep pace with updates to ensure continued compatibility and performance optimization.
In a world where SSDs are becoming the backbone of performance computing, it’s vital to remain informed. This may not be the first hardware-related hiccup with Windows, and it certainly won't be the last. As the ecosystem continues to grow, so too must our understanding and troubleshooting skills in tandem.
As always, keep your systems regularly backed up and be cautious during major updates, especially if the hardware is known to have compatibility issues. If you have additional experiences or tips related to this matter, sharing them can help our community navigate these choppy waters. Happy computing!
Source: PCWorld Some Western Digital SSDs cause Windows 11 to crash after 2024 update