Kernel Power Critical Crashes

[fuji1232]

When playing games, my entire computer just locks up and freezes and loops the audio. *IT IS NOT OVERHEATING*

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @fuji1232,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

Thanks for your post and for sharing the screenshot, it’s actually very helpful. From the image, you are viewing Windows Event Viewer → System logs, and the repeated critical errors shown are Kernel‑Power events. This, combined with your symptoms, strongly points to a hardware/driver power or graphics‑subsystem failure, not temperature.
 

Below is the recommended, structured way to diagnose and resolve this.

Step 1: Update BIOS (Critical for Game‑Freeze Issues)

Gaming freezes without a BSOD are commonly resolved by BIOS updates.

1. Go to: Official HP® Support
2. Enter your exact HP notebook model
3. Select Windows 11 / Windows 10 (whichever applies)
4. Download and install the latest BIOS
5. Restart the system when complete

⚠️ Do not interrupt the BIOS update.

Step 2: Clean‑Install the Graphics Driver (Very Important)

Audio looping + freeze is a classic graphics driver failure under load.

Recommended HP method:

1. Download the HP‑provided graphics driver from the same HP drivers page
2. Before installing: 
   • Open Device Manager
   • Expand Display adapters
   • Right‑click the GPU → Uninstall device
   • Check and delete the driver software for this device
3. Restart the computer
4. Install the HP graphics driver
5. Restart again

✅ Do not use Windows Update or third‑party driver tools for testing.

Step 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration (Test Fix)

This isolates GPU instability.

• In-game launchers (Steam, Epic, etc.): disable hardware acceleration
• In browsers or overlays (Discord, Xbox Game Bar): disable hardware acceleration
• Disable in‑game overlays entirely for testing

Step 4: Run HP Hardware Diagnostics (Memory Is Critical)

These freezes often come from RAM errors that only appear under gaming load.

1. Power off the notebook
2. Turn it on and immediately press Esc repeatedly
3. Press F2 to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
4. Run: 
   • Memory Test
   • System Extensive Test

⚠️ If the Memory Test fails, the RAM must be replaced.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @fuji1232,
 

I hope this helps. Please try the steps and keep us posted.

Take care and have an amazing day!