Windows 11 24H2 Update Troubles: BSOD Issues with WD SSDs

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If you were eagerly awaiting the latest features and security enhancements in Windows 11, the 24H2 update has unfortunately come with its fair share of trouble for some users. This October, many have voiced their frustrations, citing serious issues including the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) following the installation—particularly for those utilizing Western Digital (WD) SSDs like the Black SN770 and the Blue SN580.

What's Going Wrong?

While installing the latest software update is typically encouraged for a smoother operating experience, it appears that the 24H2 update isn't performing as expected. According to user reports, particularly prevalent on WD’s official forums, the new update has been causing errors such as “stornvme” and “The driver detected a controller error on \Device\RaidPort1 or 2”, which leads to abrupt system crashes.
Imagine trying to update your PC and instead being met with ominous blue screens that hint at a system panic—definitely not the upgrade you were hoping for! This peculiarity has compelled many to find refuge in rolling back to the previous version of Windows 11 (23H2) while they await a solution.

Understanding the Technical Culprit: Host Memory Buffer (HMB)

The trouble seems to be tied to the Host Memory Buffer (HMB) feature in these SSDs. So how does it work? HMB allows SSDs to utilize a portion of the system's DRAM as a cache, theoretically elevating performance. In this case, WD typically allocates 64 MB for HMB. However, the recent update appears to reserve upwards of 200 MB for HMB, which radically shifts the balance and potentially leads to over-utilization of system memory and subsequent crashes.

The Quick Fixes Available

As frustrating as this situation has been, there are a couple of options available for users caught in this painful predicament:
  1. Rollback to 23H2 Update: This is the safest and easiest method to restore your system's stability until Microsoft pushes a fix.
  2. Registry Editor Adjustment: For more tech-savvy users, a temporary fix involves tweaking settings within the Registry Editor. You can manually limit HMB memory to 64 MB, allowing for operation on the newer update despite the conflicting issues with WD SSDs.

What to Do Now

Despite the allure of new features, if you own a machine equipped with a WD Black SN770 or a WD Blue SN580 SSD, you may want to hold off on upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 for now. It's highly likely that Microsoft will issue a patch in the coming days to address this incompatibility.
In the meantime, sticking with the 23H2 version or considering the proposed registry workaround may save you from undue stress and system failures. It's always wise to wait a few days or even weeks post-release, allowing the tide of reports to settle and the bugs to be ironed out.

Final Thoughts

In the fast-paced world of technology, updates can often feel like a double-edged sword. While they bring much-needed features and security enhancements, sometimes they can turn into a source of frustration. This latest Windows 11 update saga reminds us that patience is always a virtue—especially in the digital age.
So, for now, let’s take a collective breath and let those tech teams work their magic. Your PC will thank you later.
As you navigate through these murky waters, share your experiences below! Have you faced issues with the 24H2 update? Did you find any solutions that worked for you? Let’s connect and help each other out!
Source: The Indian Express Why you should wait a few days before installing Windows 11 242H update on your computer
 


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