Hi Hoang,
Did you run Memory Test?
BSOD and Unexpected Shutdowns with Volmgr Errors 46 & 161: "Dump file creation failed"
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Hoang Lam
20
Reputation points
Hello everyone,
My Windows PC recently experienced a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and unexpected shutdowns. However, I am unable to diagnose the root cause because Windows failed to create a crash dump file.
Here are the exact errors I found in the Event Viewer (System log):
- Event ID 6008 (EventLog): "The previous system shutdown at 3:41:17 PM on 11/4/2026 was unexpected." (Note: There was another unexpected shutdown logged at 4:10:01 PM).
- Event ID 46 (volmgr): "Crash dump initialization failed!"
- Event ID 161 (volmgr): "Dump file creation failed due to error during dump creation."
- My questions are:
- How can I fix the Volmgr error (Event 46 & 161) so that Windows can successfully create a dump file the next time a crash occurs?
- Without a dump file, are there any other logs or methods I can use to find out what caused this BSOD?
Thank you so much for your help!
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures
4 answers
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SD - IA 182.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-11-06T12:41:39.3233333+00:00 -
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Braulio Luna 0 Reputation points2026-11-05T15:16:00.1033333+00:00 Run CMD as Admin
sfc /scannow
chkdsk c: /f /r
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SD - IA 182.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-11-05T15:06:05.8866667+00:00 Hi,
Looks like a Memory test is required.
I suggest you to run a memory test for at least 8 passes, preferably overnight.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/14201-memtest86-test-ram.html
When the test is complete, post the Image (you can use your phone's camera).
Content on the above blog is written by a Windows MVP so it is safe. However, do watch out for the ads.
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SD - IA 182.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-11-04T10:08:06.4033333+00:00 Hi,
If the dump wasn't created, it is probably because memory corruption occurred due to a RAM failure.Are there minidumps in C:/Windows/Minidump folder?
Are those crashes one off or persisting?
Please supply the following Information.
Right-click the Start button and Choose the Run option
Type in msinfo32
Press enter.
Take a screenshot of the System Summary window and post it in the next reply.
I look forward to your response and am eager to collaborate until we find a solution.