Tower ECT1250, blue screen error heck code : 0x00000164

Question

Hi Everyone,

My Dell tower desktop ECT1250 has experienced several crashes/unexpected reboots since March 2026. Here is the error I got from Dell SupportAssist: Blue Screen Error Bug check code : 0x00000164.

Google search identified the problem as below:

Based on reports from early 2026, Dell desktop PCs running Windows 11 have been experiencing frequent crashes, blue screens (BSOD), and unexpected reboots due to a combination of Microsoft Windows updates and Dell driver/firmware updates.

Key Reasons for Crashes

March 2026 Update (KB5079473) Conflicts: This update, designed for Windows 11 24H2/25H2, has been linked to ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY errors and general system freezes.
Dell Software/Firmware Updates: A specific bug reported in May 2026 on Dell systems resulted in constant BSODs and reboot loops shortly after new Dell software was installed.
Secure Boot Certificate Refresh: Updates in March and April 2026 (including those for older machines) caused multiple, unexpected reboots due to a refresh of Secure Boot certificates, which can cause instability if the update fails or loops.
Camera Initialization Freezes: Some February and March 2026 updates caused "hard freezes" (requiring a hard reset) on certain Dell systems when the camera was used in apps like Teams or Zoom

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

Uninstall the March Update: If your PC is crashing, try uninstalling the latest quality update. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and remove KB5079473.
Update Dell BIOS/Drivers: Visit the Dell Support website and update your BIOS, Chipset, and Video drivers to the latest versions. Firmware updates can resolve issues with new Windows updates.
Check for "No Boot Drive" Errors: Some reports indicate the March update can cause boot issues. If your PC won't start, you may need to use the Windows Recovery Environment.
Roll Back Drivers: If the crashes are caused by a new Dell driver, open Device Manager, find the suspected driver (e.g., Graphics/Storage), right-click it, and choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.

I installed all Dell bios and driver updates. March 2026 Windows Update (KB5079473) is mandatory, so it cannot be uninstalled. I've tried everything I can, but the problem was still there. My desktop crashed again on May 8, 2026 ‐ Friday.

Will Dell/Microsoft release a new update to solve this issue?

Thanks for your help!

Tesla1856 · Answer

@jc6789 ,

Good detailed post.

I don't have any additional info on the KB5079473 or SecureBoot problems. I have a feeling one or both were just coincidental.

The problems with webcams on Dell laptops and UltraBooks was been reported by other owners. Dell and Intel are working on a fix.

Your 2nd item (Dell Software) might be related to this:

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/xps/xps-15-9530-bsod-criticalprocessdied-caused-by-dellsupportass-supportassist-remediation-55160/6a0010e052786a36cb345dcc

GauravSyst · Answer

Well you can checkout the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6_IjtMOXXA

jc6789 · Answer

Thanks @Tesla1856 and @GauravSyst , I contacted Dell support and installed a few firmware updates. It will take a month to tell whether the problem is solved.

Dell Pro Desktops

Tower ECT1250, blue screen error heck code : 0x00000164

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