ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G834JYR) - Extreme & Persistent BSODs

[Janna95]

I am experiencing an extremely frustrating and persistent problem with my ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G834JYR) laptop, and I hope others here have similar experiences or can offer profound insights. Starting from June 2025, I've been suddenly encountering frequent and spontaneous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes, sometimes occurring within 30-60 seconds of booting up. This is particularly puzzling as the laptop functioned perfectly stable for the first 6+ months.

The issues are so stubborn that they persist even after a complete, clean reinstallation of Windows 11 Pro 26100.1 without any network connection or third-party drivers. This virtually rules out any software conflicts or malware.

My Detailed System Configuration:

• Model: ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G834JYR)
• CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX
• RAM: 64GB (2x 32GB) Kingston FURY Impact DDR5-5600 CL40 (Model: KF556S40-32)
  • BIOS offers no options for XMP/EXPO, DRAM voltage, Gear Mode, or timing settings.
  • RAM runs in Gear Mode 2 (according to HWiNFO64), even at supposedly lower speeds.
  • SPD profiles are not readable by tools like Thaiphoon Burner.
• Storage:
  • Primary OS drive: Samsung OEM NVMe SSD
  • Second NVMe SSD: Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
  • Both currently use the Microsoft standard NVMe driver (no OEM driver loaded).
• OS: Windows 11 Pro 26100.1 (clean install)
• BIOS Version: G834JYR.320 (this is the latest official version available for this model on the ASUS website)

Observed Problems and Diagnostics Performed (with results):

The BSODs occur under all circumstances: while idle, during Browse, installing software, scrolling, general system use, and even immediately after boot. 

Most Common BSOD Codes & Their Characteristics:

• SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (0x3B): Very frequent, often linked to FLTMGR.SYS. Dump analyses point to instruction access faults on memory addresses related to I/O handling and the storage layer.
• REFERENCE_BY_POINTER (0x18): Constantly recurring, indicates invalid reference counts. Affected processes in dumps include svchost.exe, TiWorker.exe, and in one instance, opera_browser.dll. This suggests memory confusion or improper release/update of kernel objects.
• Also observed: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xA), UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP (0x7F), and HYPERVISOR_ERROR (0x20001).

Specific Observations:

• Memory Stability:
  • The BIOS-integrated memory test (Quick + Extended) completed without errors.
  • However, MemTest64 crashed during the second loop without an error message, further indicating potential voltage or stability issues in the memory interface.
• Hyper-V: Several dump files show flags that Hyper-V is active, despite it being potentially unintended. The BIOS also lacks an option to disable Hyper-V. (I have attempted to disable it via bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off, but the problem persists).
• No Thermal Issues: No dump points to thermal shutdown or overheating, even though CPU/GPU can reach high temperatures under load.
• No Malware: Malwarebytes scans and dump flags confirm the absence of malware or rootkits.
• BIOS Version G834JYR.320: It's noteworthy that this BIOS version, though official, provides no control over essential memory settings. Furthermore, it's curious that comparable models (like the G834JY) have received newer BIOS updates, but the G834JYR does not.
• General Instability: Various standard Windows tools and functionalities crash on this system, even after a clean installation. This could indicate deeper memory or I/O stack problems.

What I Have Already Tried (and results):

• Full clean Windows reinstallation (multiple times): No solution.
• Testing individual SSDs / swapping (including Samsung 990 Pro): No solution.
• Driver Verifier: Cautiously enabled with aggressive checks, which led to immediate BSODs requiring quick disablement. This confirmed driver-related instability but couldn't isolate a specific culprit without immediate crashes.
• BIOS downgrade to G834JYR.317: Not possible.
• Attempted RAM frequency reduction to 4800 MHz via hidden BIOS toggle / debug tool: Not possible.
• Recreating pagefile.sys: No change.
• Extensive driver updates and checks: No solution.
• Power management settings checked: No solution.
• Analyzed various diagnostic tools and logs: Consistently point towards memory and I/O-related faults.

My thorough investigation and troubleshooting strongly point to a deep-seated hardware or firmware compatibility issue. The consistency of the BSODs, the involvement of FLTMGR.SYS and memory-related errors, combined with the inability to adjust memory settings in the BIOS, are the biggest concerns.

1. Has anyone else with an ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G834JYR) and Kingston FURY Impact DDR5-5600 RAM (KF556S40-32 or similar kits from that line) experienced similar instability, especially with BIOS v320 and lacking XMP/EXPO settings?
2. Are there any known solutions, hidden BIOS settings, or workarounds for this, beyond standard troubleshooting?
3. Are there users successfully running a stable 64GB DDR5-5600MHz (or higher) RAM kit on the G834JYR with BIOS v320? If so, which kit is it and are there any specific requirements?
4. Suggestions for further diagnostic steps I can perform, or advice on effectively escalating this issue with ASUS Support, would be greatly appreciated.

Any help or shared experience is incredibly valuable..

[ElectroStingz]

Hello,

1) Is the system stable under a very high load like prime95 small FFTs? or Cinebench R23 multicore test?

2) But unstable under light loads or instances when the CPU is able to boost the cores quite high? (general use would be doing this)

3) Is the system stable when the CPU is not able to boost? (use software or registry setting to enable power plan boost option and set it to disabled) or running on battery mode should also prevent boost,  Registry setting shown here (https://www.electrostingz.com/2025/06/how-to-check-laptop-cooler-performance-intel/)

4) Memory, did you consider going back to the original kit to see what happens? If not possible just using 1 memory stick at a time?

And what is the laptop generally used for?

1,2,3, depending on your answers could indicate an issue with the CPU.

I have a G16, 14900HX with 2x16GB Kingston IF, 5600MT/s CL40 PNP, no problems atm.

[Silent_Scone]

Hi @Janna95 @ElectroStingz 

I would not recommend using Prime with small FFT as this can consume considerable current. I see no mention of change of memory kit in the original post, but if the memory kit has been changed at any point - I'd recommend the same as @ElectroStingz suggestion.

If the crashing is persisting, I would contact service for your region.

[mifernandez]

I recently encountered the exact same thing, instability during any intense process, gaming, Ai renders, video editing, benchmarking. I changed drivers, monitored temps, uninstalled recent programs, nothing fixed it. I ended up opening up the computer, removing the CPU cooler to assess the liquid metal coverage, and that was the culprit. I reapplied the exiting liquid metal carefully, it had pooled around the small capture area around the processor, i did the same for the cooler, sealed it back up and all of my instability was gone. Read up on liquid metal, its pros and cons, even how you store your laptop should be considered. Its advantages are numerous, but i am now cautious that when i run my system hard, i do not immediately store it vertically in a travel back. Alternatively, check your windows error logs, it could also be a faulty power supply not providing the system with enough power. 

[Abnerpenla]

I am currently losing my mind with my G834JYR. I bought it at Best Buy and it started freezing randomly all the time about 10 days after purchase. I’d have to do hard resets and it would work for an hour or so then freeze. I did a fresh install of Windows and it worked a couple of days then freeze again. I did about 11 fresh Windows installations until I said f it and installed Kubuntu.

It worked great for about a week and then back to crashing. Did memtest and that came back fine. I bought a new Samsung 990 ssd hoping that would work but same. Now it freezes every time during installation of Windows or Linux distros and I’ve tried every suggestion I’ve seen on forums to no avail so I think I’m giving up and gonna have to drive a few hours to Best Buy since I paid for their total care thing plus it’s under warranty I imagine since I purchased it not that long ago. Unless someone here has a magical fix. 

[mifernandez]

Check to see if your model has liquid metal, mines was purchased in 2023 and required a re-application in 2025.  It alleviated everything you're describing. If you have BestBuy total coverage I would just return it, but the re-application of liquid metal was not difficult, it was more annoying to determine what was causing the crashes.