Although in most cases, the 6008 error is rooted in some hardware issue (failing HDD, SSD, or RAM), the problem can also be indirectly caused by a bad windows update, a missing GPU driver dependency, or a scenario where there’s an extra sound driver conflicting with the main driver. This behavior can also occur if you’ve previously disabled the paging file, if you’re still using a grounded VGA monitor or if you’re dealing with system file corruption that makes your OS unstable enough. Here’s a short list of methods that you can use to troubleshoot the 6008 error and prevent any further unexpected shutdowns:
1. Update Windows Version to the latest
If you noticed that the 6008 Event Viewer error started appearing after you installed a pending update (or Windows did so automatically), In this case, start this troubleshooting journey by checking if Microsoft has already released a hotfix for this issue on the WU deployment channels that you’re part of: Here’s a quick guide that will allow you to check for a hotfix and install it on your PC: Note: The instructions below are applicable on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. If the problem is still not fixed, move to the next method below.
2. Revert the latest installed update
In case the issue is still fresh, and Microsoft didn’t get the chance to release a hotfix, you can fix the issue yourself by uninstalling the bad update that caused this issue in the first place. Note: This method will only work if you start getting this error after installing a pending update. You can enforce this fix by going to the Programs and Features screen and selecting the View installed updates tab to start the removal process. We advise doing it straight from the recovery menu because this will let you roll back feature updates and cumulative updates and postpone their installation until Microsoft releases a hotfix. To remove the most recent update from the Recovery menu, follow the instructions below: Note: The steps in the following paragraphs will demonstrate how to enter the Recovery menu forcibly without utilizing appropriate installation discs. If the problem is still unresolved, move to the next method below.
3. Update GPU drivers
It turns out that an outdated GPU driver or a missing physics module can also cause this type of behavior with Windows 10 and Windows 11. This issue is even more likely if you only experience this problem while your PC or laptop performs a resource-demanding task. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the problem by updating your GPU drivers to the latest version. If you haven’t updated your GPU drivers recently, perform the steps below to uninstall your outdated GPU drivers and install the most recent ones in an attempt to fix the 6008 error: Continue to the next step in the procedure below if the same problem is still present or your GPU drivers are already up to date.
4. Roll-back display driver
Suppose the issue started immediately after you updated your GPU version. In that case, there’s a chance this problem is indirectly caused by a bad graphics card driver that’s somehow producing general system instability that triggers the unexpected system shutdown. Many impacted users have claimed that after reverting their dedicated graphics driver to an earlier version, the problem was ultimately fixed. If you have an NVIDIA or AMD GPU, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to fix the problem after rolling back your GPU driver to a previous version. Here is a simple tutorial on reverting your GPU drive to a previous version: Continue to the next solution below if you still get the same error after your Windows computer crashes unexpectedly.
5. Replace the grounded VGA Monitor (if applicable)
Suppose you’re still using a grounded VGA monitor. In that case, this hardware may be causing unexpected system crashes as it produces little shocks due to bad insulation that ends up restarting your PC unexpectedly. Note: This scenario is only possible with grounded legacy VGA monitors produced before 2010. If you’re still using a grounded VGA monitor, connect a different display and normally utilize your PC to see if the same issue repeats. If the same issue is still occurring or this method is not applicable, move down to the next method below.
6. Disable or Uninstall the extra sound driver (if applicable)
If you have two or more sound drivers installed on your PC, this is likely the conflict producing the 6008 error, as both drivers run simultaneously. If this scenario is applicable, you can fix the issue by disabling or uninstalling the extra sound drivers that are not needed. For example, if you have both the Nvidia High Definition Audio Driver and the Realtek HD Audio driver, disable or uninstall one or the other to fix the issue. Start by disabling the secondary audio driver and resort to uninstalling only if the first method doesn’t work. Follow the sub-guides below for complete instructions on how to do this:
6.1. Disable the Extra Sound Driver
To disable the extra sound driver, you need to access the Sound, video, and game controllers tab in Device Manager and disable one of the audio drivers that are currently installed. Here’s how to do this:
6.2. Uninstall the Extra Sound Driver
If disabling the secondary driver didn’t make a difference, your only option is to uninstall one of the two sound drivers that can be potentially conflicting. To do this, use Device Manager and eliminate the unnecessary driver. Here’s a quick guide that will show you how to do this:
7. Disable the Paging file
The final thing you can do if you’ve tried the steps above and still get the same 6008 error as your system is experiencing unexpected shutdowns is to turn off the Windows Paging file. Although this might make some native Windows apps malfunction, many Windows users experiencing this problem on low-end PC settings have reported that this workaround eventually allowed them to stabilize their PC. If you decide to use this strategy, disable the Windows Paging file by following the steps listed below: Note: The instructions will work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
8. Use System Restore
If you’ve followed every method above and come up empty-handed, you should look into a potential 3rd party interference causing the unexpected system shutdowns with the 6008 error. Since the list of potential culprits is virtually endless, a quick way to eliminate a conflicting 3rd party process, service, or startup item from your culprit list is to use System Restore. This built-in tool will allow you to restore your machine to a timestamp when this conflict was not present (a new driver installation, a driver swap, the installation of new software, etc.). IMPORTANT: System Restoration is configured to create and save new restore snapshots when a significant system event occurs. If you don’t alter this default behavior, you should have many restoration pictures to choose from. Follow this article for specific instructions on deploying a System restore operation and reverting your PC to a healthy state where the issue was not present. If the problem is still not resolved, switch to the method below.
9. Perform Memtest and replace RAM (if applicable)
Defective RAM may also factor in this 6008 Event Id error, as it can cause memory leaks and serious system crashes. If you frequently experience severe system crashes, try to run a Memtest to check the integrity of your RAM stick(s). Note: If you have dual-channel RAM installed, you can try removing just one stick at a time to see if the issue is still present. In addition, you should test the integrity of your RAM stick using a program like Memtest. Important: If your RAM has ever been overclocked, we advise reversing any voltage overclocked frequency and monitoring your temperatures while running a stress test using a program like HWMonitor. Your only choice is to look for a replacement if the Memtest tool on your RAM has revealed a memory problem. If this method fails to identify a simple RAM problem, move on to the next potential solution below and eliminate this potential offender from your list.
10. Deploy the CHKDSK scan
Some Windows 10 and Windows 11 users using conventional HDDs claim that this issue might also arise from defective sectors on your HDD, which may be causing general system instability. Your system might generate 6008 event id errors each time the integrity of your drive is tested for faulty sector data. The good news is that we discovered user reports indicating that performing a CHKDSK scan completely resolved their problem. To run a CHKDSK scan on your Windows 11 PC, follow these steps: If it is, move down to the next method below.
11. Check HDD or SDD health
If you’ve come this far without a viable fix, it’s about time you consider a potentially failing drive (especially if you’re using a conventional HDD). Your disk may start to fail if it occasionally maintains 100% utilization, and it tends to trigger a system crash during tasks involving data transfer. Fortunately, there is this free third-party tool called Speccy that you can use to determine whether your HDD or SSD is failing. Use this tool to receive a summary of roughly 30 SMART points that gauge the condition of your drive. Note: Your drive is not malfunctioning if all the measurements are within the normal range. The steps listed below will help you install and use Speccy to determine whether a failing drive is causing the 6008 error: The only option at this point, if your examination has revealed that you are dealing with a failing disk, is to look for a replacement and back up your current data while you can still boot normally. If you’ve just determined that the issue is unrelated to a failing drive, continue to the next possible solution below.
12. Clean install or repair install
You might be dealing with a systemic issue if none of the above solutions have been able to help you fix the issue. The last resort is to reset every Windows component to fix the system file corruption causing the 6008 event ID error. You have two choices when it comes to resetting every system component of your Windows installation:
Repair install – The repair install option is the best for fixing any corruption on Windows 10 or 11. Although you’ll need appropriate installation CDs, the main advantage is that all of the games, apps and personal files currently on the OS disk can be kept.Clean install – Because you don’t need to use any installation CDs, this is the easiest procedure (you can initiate this procedure directly from the GUI menu). The main drawback is that unless you back up your C: disk beforehand, you will lose all of your media, games, apps, and user preferences.
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