Intel announced that faulty CPU microcode is the main reason why computers using its processors crash or experience “blue screen of death” (BSOD).

The faulty microcode algorithm caused a series of 13th and 14th generation Intel Core chips to fail. Photo: TechSpot.

According to the announcement on the homepage, Intel said it has found the root cause of the power failure problems that are continuously occurring on its CPUs.

Specifically, according to Intel’s consultant, a faulty CPU microcode is the cause of the continuous instability problem.

This microcode causes the CPU to request higher voltage levels, resulting in the processor operating outside its safe boundaries and affecting an unknown number of the company’s 13th and 14th generation CPUs.

Intel is validating a microcode patch to fix the issue and plans to release an update in mid-August.

This patch will be distributed through BIOS updates from motherboard OEMs and through Windows updates, so the time it takes for end users to receive the upgrade may vary.

The first reports of power down errors on Intel CPUs appeared in December 2022 and peaked in late 2023.

Many users complain of Intel-based computers crashing or experiencing inexplicable “blue screens of death” (BSOD) while playing games and running tasks.

More specifically, this bug causes irreversible degradation of the affected processors. According to Tom’s Hardware, the microcode patch will also not repair processors that are already experiencing problems.

Intel also advises all customers experiencing problems to seek assistance from customer support.