A bug in Intel’s desktop processors seems to be causing system crashes again along with the heatwave.
Intel’s 13th and 14th generation desktop chips, known as Raptor Lake, have long struggled with a code error that leads to instability under high temperatures. Now that temperatures in Europe are above 40 degrees, this problem seems to be reoccurring for users who have not patched their systems.
Crashes Visible in Firefox
A Mozilla engineer found that Firefox crash reports were notably frequent from regions affected by the European heatwave, according to PCWorld. He attributes this to outdated Raptor Lake systems. “We are seeing almost exclusively crashes from affected systems. It’s so severe that we’ve had to shut down our bot,” he writes.
Intel acknowledged last year that the bug can lead to permanent damage to chips once a crash occurs. Therefore, in August 2024, the company extended the warranty on the affected desktop chips from three to five years.
BIOS Update is the Only Solution
The bug only affects desktop variants of Raptor Lake, not the mobile versions in laptops. Intel states that the problem cannot be completely resolved, but it can be mitigated through a BIOS or UEFI update. This update applies stricter voltage and timing rules to prevent crashes.
There is a good chance that users overlooked the patch, especially in European companies where air conditioning is less common than in American ones. Temperatures above 40 degrees and limited cooling are conditions where the problem can occur.
If you haven’t updated the BIOS yet, it’s best to do so as soon as possible. This will prevent damage to your processor.