Recurring "LiveKernelEvent 1b8" hardware error (Watchdog Timeout)

Question

Recurring "LiveKernelEvent 1b8" hardware error (Watchdog Timeout)

Furkan Aka 20

Hi,

I am experiencing an issue where my system encounters a hardware error, documented in the Reliability Monitor as LiveKernelEvent 1b8 and 141.

Symptoms: Black Screen & Signal Loss: While gaming, after some time, the monitor suddenly goes black and displays a "No Signal" (DPI/DisplayPort No Signal) message. Fan Ramp-up: Immediately after the screen goes black, the GPU fans start spinning at 100% maximum speed (extremely loud). Audio Behavior: Background audio (game sounds or music) continues for a short while, but then eventually cuts off or the system hangs completely. System Power State: The PC remains powered on (lights and fans are active), but it becomes unresponsive, requiring a hard manual reset.

Reliability Monitor Log Analysis: I have checked my Reliability Monitor history and found a recurring pattern of critical events. Every "Hardware Error" (LiveKernelEvent 1b8) is accompanied by the simultaneous crashing of the following processes:

NVIDIA App (Container for GPU drivers)
MicrosoftSecurityApp.exe
cmw_srv.exe

The crashes occur in clusters (e.g., at 23:10, 22:30, and 18:59 on 11.04.2026). This suggests that the GPU driver is failing under load or due to a TDR (Timeout Detection and Recovery) issue, causing dependent system applications to terminate unexpectedly.

Additional System Context:

GPU: NVIDIA RTX3050
Driver Version: VERSİON 595.97 Released: Tue, Mar 24, 2026
SFC Scan Result: Passed (No integrity violations).

Problem Details:

Problem Event Name: LiveKernelEvent
Code: 1b8
Parameter 1: a
OS Version: 10.0.26200.2.0.0.256.48 (Windows 11 Insider Preview)
Related files: WATCHDOG4400-20260411-2229.dmp
WERInternalMetadat.xml
memory.csv
sysinfo.txt
WERInternalRequest.xml

What I have tried so far:

I ran the sfc /scannow command as an administrator. The result was: "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."
I ran the DISM RestoreHealth command as an administrator. The result was: "The component store is repairable. The operation completed successfully."
The system seems to recover itself, but the error log persists in the reliability history.

Could you please help me identify the root cause of this "1b8" error? Is it related to a specific driver (GPU/Network) or a known issue in this Windows build (26200)?

Thank you.

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Answer 1

Ivan B 109.5K Independent Advisor

Hi ,

If it is a laptop or desktop, if possible, could you provide the laptop model or your desktop configuration?

Access the c:\windows\minidump folder, copy the files to your desktop, then upload them to OneDrive or Google Drive and post the link here for analysis.

Thanks

Furkan Aka 20 Reputation points

2026-04-11T22:27:01.04+00:00

Hi,

No, this is a desktop.
Here are the configurations:

CPU: AMD RYZEN 5 3500X 6-Core Processor (3.60 GHz)
RAM: 32,0 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (8 GB)
GIGABYTE B450M GAMING Motherboard
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
PSU: GameTech 700W 80 Plus

Thank you in advance for your help.
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-11T22:29:46.9+00:00

Hi,

Check if there are any minidumps generated from BSODs since there's a log?

Thanks
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-11T22:31:02.46+00:00

Hi,

Do you use any PCIe link adapter to side-by-side the GPU?

Thanks
Furkan Aka 20 Reputation points

2026-04-11T22:33:31.6233333+00:00

No, I don't use any adapters. The GPU is plugged directly into the PCIe slot on the motherboard.
The C:\Windows\Minidump folder is currently empty. The system doesn't trigger a full Blue Screen (BSOD); instead, the screen goes black and the fans spin at 100% speed, requiring a hard reset. However, I found some files in C:\Windows\LiveKernelReports related to the Watchdog events.
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-12T09:08:33.7733333+00:00

Hi,

This could be a hardware issue, but the identified fault points to the GPU. Did you check the temperatures?

Could Watchdogs upload the data and post the link here if possible?

Thanks
Furkan Aka 20 Reputation points

2026-04-12T09:34:49.3666667+00:00

Hi,

Regarding the temperatures, I have been monitoring them with MSI Afterburner and CoreTemp.

The average GPU core temperature seems to be when nothing is open:
MSI Afterburner and CoreTemp:
When I start a game (for example, Age of Empires IV at 60 FPS), the temperature values reach the following levels within just 5 to 10 minutes and it's not normal, I think:
MSI Afterburner and CoreTemp:

This morning, I opened the case and removed the graphics card. I performed a basic cleaning of the GPU fans and then reinstalled the card.

Afterward, I ran a system scan using MSI Afterburner (OC Scanner). Here are the results from that scan:

As requested, I have uploaded the Watchdog dump files and the reliability logs to the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yE_60At2IKXzKWeuKaSX1qFNAMLSPYuI/view?usp=drive_link

Please let me know if you need any further information from the logs.
I have been using this system for several years without any issues. This is the first time I am encountering this problem, and it started happening very recently.

Additionally, I wanted to mention that I am using an MSI 2K (1440p) monitor and my operating system is Windows 11 Insider Build 26200. Nvidia Game Ready Driver is Version 595.97 Released: Tue Mar 24, 2026.
I am not sure if these have a direct impact on the issue, but I wanted to share this context for your analysis.

Thank you!
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-12T09:46:32.2266667+00:00

Hi,

Unfortunately, the problem is with the Nvidia GPU. Since you posted the hardware issue, it could be the VRM or the GPU itself.

Try this: since you cleaned it, is it still at 80 degrees?

Now you can try downclocking and setting the temperature limit to 75 degrees to check if the problem persists. If so, unfortunately, your GPU is defective.

Thanks
Furkan Aka 20 Reputation points

2026-04-12T11:07:44.9966667+00:00

Underclocking & Thermal Limit Test:

• I applied a -100 MHz Core Clock offset and set the Temp Limit to 75°C (90% Power Limit) via MSI Afterburner.

• Test 1 (Age of Empires IV): Played for 20 minutes. The temperature stabilized at 78°C (slightly above the limit), but the system remained stable and did not crash.

• Test 2 (Crusader Kings III): Played for 20 minutes at 1440p. The GPU temperature stayed at a steady 70°C. The system was perfectly stable throughout the session.

The fact that the system is now stable under these limited , I suggest that the GPU's factory clocks or voltage curve have become unstable at higher temperatures or peak power draws after years of use. I have recently noticed some connectivity issues with my USB ports, which might suggest an underlying instability in power delivery from the PSU or the motherboard's power phase. Combined with the USB connectivity issues I mentioned, it appears to be a thermal management or power delivery (VRM/PSU) fatigue issue rather than a catastrophic hardware failure.

As a next step, I will perform a thorough PSU check and look into repasting the GPU and cleaning the cooling assembly. I will continue using these underclocked settings for now. I will share the results with you after the cleaning and maintenance process.

Thank you for your guidance in identifying the root cause.
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-12T11:17:14.1266667+00:00

Hi,

I'm happy to help, however, regarding the PSU and GPU, also check the condition of the VRMs and replace the thermal pads. This is definitely a hardware issue; if you haven't done maintenance after the warranty expires, this is standard. I had the same problem with an old RTX 2060 Super GPU, and it was due to the VRMs, but the pattern of behavior is almost the same.

However, since you reported a motherboard failure, try testing the PSU, GPU, and motherboard separately. Use the undervolt tests to confirm whether it's the GPU or PSU.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable email notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

You can confirm the answer by commenting here so I can still receive notifications and reply to you, keeping me informed.

Thanks
Furkan Aka 20 Reputation points

2026-04-12T11:33:12.79+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience with the RTX 2060 Super. I will make sure to replace both the thermal paste and the thermal pads during maintenance. I will also test the PSU separately to rule out any motherboard/power delivery issues related to the USB connectivity problems I mentioned. I'll post the results here once the maintenance is complete.

Thanks again for the insights!
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-12T11:36:24.7566667+00:00

Hi,

I'm happy to help. You can confirm the answer if you recognize it or not.

Good luck and I look forward to the results.

Thanks
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-14T10:45:27.8866667+00:00

Hi,

I'm happy to help, and it's always good to perform maintenance on your PC after the warranty expires. I wish you a good week and lots of gaming!

If you recognize the answer, you can confirm here or not.

You can always count on the Microsoft community.

Thanks
Furkan Aka 20 Reputation points

2026-04-14T11:09:29.5+00:00

Thank you! Everything is working perfectly now after the maintenance. I'll confirm this as the solution.
Ivan B 109.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-14T11:18:37.38+00:00

Hi,

I'm happy to confirm. Just go up and there's an option to accept the answer in my reply.

Whenever you need anything, you can come back here to the Microsoft Q&A Community and have a good day.

Thanks

Answer 2

Hi Ivan,

I've managed to completely resolve the LiveKernelEvent 1b8 error and the black screen issues I was having during gaming. I wanted to share the steps I took to fix it:

1. Power Flush (Discharging Static Electricity):

To stop the USB port disconnects and general system instability, I unplugged the power cable and held down the power button for about 30 seconds. This successfully discharged the static electricity (ghost charge) in the system. Since doing this, the USB errors and the momentary mouse freezes have completely disappeared.

2. GPU Maintenance (Thermal Paste):

I noticed in OCCT overview that my card was hitting 79°C - 80°C in the game and immediately going into protection mode, cutting the display. I opened up my Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge and saw that the thermal paste had completely dried out. I replaced it with a high-quality thermal paste and put everything back together carefully.

3. Latest Test Results:

• Temperatures: Before, the card was struggling at 80°C even with restricted settings. Now, with no restrictions (83°C limit and 100% power), it stays stable at around 74°C under full load.

• Performance: The GPU clock is now running smoothly between 1987 MHz and 2055 MHz without any fluctuations or stuttering.

• Fans: The fans used to go crazy at 100% speed; now they stay at a quiet and efficient 1800-1850 RPM under full load.

The root causes were dried-out thermal paste leading to overheating and static electricity buildup on the motherboard. The system is now running like clockwork with no black screens or freezes.

Thanks for the support!

Answer 3

The symptoms and the LiveKernelEvent entries with WATCHDOG dump files match a GPU timeout/TDR-type condition under load rather than a general OS corruption issue.

From the context provided, similar watchdog and TDR-related problems are typically caused by:

Faulty or unstable graphics drivers
Graphics stack issues in a specific Windows build
Underlying hardware problems (GPU, VRAM, or power delivery)

For this type of issue, the recommended path is:

Treat it as a graphics/TDR problem
- Bug checks such as VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED (0x117) are explicitly associated with GPU timeouts. The documented guidance is to focus on the graphics driver and stack.
Update or roll back the GPU driver
- If a driver is implicated, disable it or check with the manufacturer for an updated or alternative version. In practice this means:
  - Cleanly reinstalling the NVIDIA driver, or
  - Rolling back to a previous stable driver version if the issue started after a recent update.
Ensure all graphics-related components are current
- Verify that DirectX/OpenGL components and any graphics‑intensive applications (games) are fully patched. Out-of-date graphics software can contribute to TDRs.
Validate hardware and memory
- Run the Windows Memory Diagnostics tool to rule out RAM issues that can surface as watchdog/TDR failures.
- Run any OEM‑supplied hardware diagnostics for the GPU and system to check for hardware faults.
Use Safe Mode for isolation
- Because Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, it can help confirm whether third‑party graphics drivers or services are involved. If the system is stable in Safe Mode under similar conditions, that further points to the display driver or related software.
If blue screens or additional stop codes appear
- Use the stop code information and the associated dump (for example, VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED or other watchdog‑related codes) with tools such as !analyze in the debugger to pinpoint the failing module, as recommended in the watchdog/TDR documentation.

Given the Insider Preview build and the clustering of GPU‑related crashes, the most likely root cause is interaction between the current NVIDIA driver and the graphics stack in this Windows build, but hardware should still be validated using the above diagnostics.

References:

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Recurring "LiveKernelEvent 1b8" hardware error (Watchdog Timeout)

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