How to create a bootable Memtest86+ USB Drive using Windows?

Plug a standard FAT32-formatted USB Drive, download and launch the Windows USB Installer and follow the quick steps. Reboot your computer and select the USB Drive in your Boot Menu.

How to create a bootable Memtest86+ USB Drive using Linux?

The ISO image must be written directly ('dumped') to the raw device, either by using the dd command or by using a utility that provides the same functionality like balenaEtcher.

How to create a bootable Memtest86+ USB Drive using MacOS

We recommand balenaEtcher to burn the image to a USB Flash Drive under MacOS. PS: Using the Restore function in Apple's Disk Utility does not work.

Which media are supported?

Memtest86+ can be run from a USB Flash Drive (FAT32 formatted), CDROM drive (by burning the ISO to a blank disk) or Network boot (PXE). If you need a floppy image, use the "make iso" command to generate a 'floppy.img' file

I can't boot because of a "Secure Boot Violation"

The Memtest86+ binary is not signed by Microsoft, so you need to temporarily disable Secure Boot in your BIOS options. We're working on a better solution.

Memtest86+ does not launch.

To boot from a USB Flash Drive instead of your hard drive, you must select it using the Boot Menu. The Boot Menu is usually available by pressing F8, F12 or ESC at early startup. Please check your PC/motherboard manual.

Can I launch Memtet86+ using PXE?

Yes. Just use memtest.bin (for BIOS PXE) or memtest.efi (for UEFI PXE) as payload for iPXE or PXELINUX. Don't forget to disable Secure Boot.

My USB keyboard does not work

Memtest86+ USB drivers are work in progress. Not all USB devices are supported yet, and there may be problems on some hardware. Please submit a bug report with detailed information.

I got errors! What's next?

Once a memory error has been detected, determining the failing module is not a clear-cut procedure. If your computer is overclocked, you should try again at default settings first. Then, if you have more than one memory module, try removing them one at a time to find the faulty one. You can also rotate them. For more informations, look here

I only have some bits wrong. Any solution?

Yes. Both Linux and Windows offer a way to exclude small bad memory areas. An additional Memtest86+ feature is planned to easily generate the required patterns for Windows.

When does it stop?

It doesn't: Memtest86+ is an endless loop. After a successful pass, all your memory has been tested successfully. You can wait longer for even greater confidence, or just press ESC to stop.

Which tests are executed by Memtest86+?

For a more detailed explanation about Memtest86+'s Test Algorithms and induvial Test Descriptions, please check this section of the README page.

How to use the COM/serial output?

On Windows, edit the file syslinux.cfg at the root of the USB Drive and add "APPEND ttyS0" after "KERNEL mt86plus". On Linux, pass the parameter "ttyS0" using GRUB ISO. Alternatively, compile your own version with the switch "enable_tty = true" in "config.c. Default settings are 8N1 115200 bps.

Why is Memtest86+ testing more memory than I have?

It doesn't. The memory on a modern computer is not necessarily mapped in a linear way. E.g.: 16GB of RAM can be virtually mapped from 0-15GB and 16-17GB with a hole between 15GB and 16GB.