These are the most common Windows thermal and hardware sensor error codes — what they mean and how to fix them.
Thermal & Sensor Error Codes & Fixes
| Error Code | What It Means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Trip | CPU or GPU exceeded safe temperature limits and shut down. | Clean cooler, reapply thermal paste, improve airflow. |
| Thermal Throttle | Hardware reduced performance to avoid overheating. | Lower load, improve cooling, check fan speeds. |
| 0x124 – WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR | Often triggered by overheating or VRM thermal failure. | Check CPU/GPU temps, inspect VRM cooling. |
| 0x9C – MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION | CPU detected thermal or sensor instability. | Improve cooling, reseat cooler, check motherboard sensors. |
| CPU Overheat Warning | BIOS or OS detected unsafe CPU temperature. | Clean cooler, check fan curve, replace thermal paste. |
| GPU Overheat Warning | GPU exceeded safe temperature limits. | Clean fans, improve airflow, replace thermal pads. |
| VRM Overheat | Motherboard voltage regulators overheating. | Improve case airflow, remove CPU overclock. |
| Chipset Overheat | Motherboard chipset temperature too high. | Clean dust, improve airflow, check chipset fan. |
| Fan Failure Warning | CPU, GPU, or case fan not spinning or reporting RPM. | Replace fan, check fan header, inspect cables. |
| Sensor Read Error | Temperature sensor not reporting data. | Update BIOS, check motherboard, replace faulty sensor. |
| EC Sensor Failure | Embedded controller cannot read thermal sensors. | Update BIOS/EC firmware, power cycle system. |
| 0xC00000E – STATUS_NO_SUCH_DEVICE | Thermal sensor or fan controller not detected. | Check motherboard headers, replace sensor module. |
| Temperature Spike Detected | Sudden thermal jump indicating cooling failure. | Check cooler mounting, inspect pump (AIO), check airflow. |