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June 5th, 2026 13:13

Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250, intermittent BSODs

I am looking for feedback from anyone running a Dell Pro Max 18 Plus (MB18250).

Since March, I have experienced intermittent BSODs that became significantly more frequent in May (approximately 20 crashes). The system was completely reimaged in June using our organization's standard Windows image, but the BSODs have continued.

The system is running Windows 11 with current BIOS, firmware, and Dell drivers. Dell hardware diagnostics have completed successfully with no reported issues.

Has anyone else experienced similar stability issues on the MB18250 platform?

Technical Summary

  • BSODs include:
    • SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (0x3B)
    • REGISTRY_FILTER_DRIVER_EXCEPTION (0x135)
    • REGISTRY_ERROR (0x51)
  • WinDbg analysis frequently showed:
    • Access violations (0xC0000005)
    • Kernel memory-management routines
    • Registry-related operations
  • Several dumps referenced CrowdStrike's csagent.sys, although I am not convinced CrowdStrike is the sole root cause because the failures have occurred under multiple conditions and persisted after removing CrowdStrike .
  • Crashes have occurred during normal use as well as Windows servicing operations such as DISM.
  • No Dell SupportAssist installed.

Any feedback from other MB18250 owners would be appreciated.




This post was created from this comment on different post

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June 5th, 2026 14:07

Check and Unnistall

- SupportAssist OS Recovery Tools 

-Disable on Windows Services => Dell SupportAssist Remediation and unnistall

Reboot and check.

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June 5th, 2026 14:25

Hi  @olatin​ thanks for the suggestion my organization does not deploy SupportAssist OS Recovery Tools. They install their own OS image and include only the Dell Command Update for driver and bios updates. 

thanks
max


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June 6th, 2026 13:04

Hi mmirabito_57512a:

I noticed your 05-Jun-2025 post in Waddo's BSOD - Random Reboots - May 2026 Dell Updates - Dell Support assist probable cause was split off here as a separate topic, so you might have missed my reply <here> in Waddo's topic about a problematic DBUtilDrv2.sys driver bundled with the current Dell Command | Update v5.7.0.  See hduong768's 27-May-2026 topic Dell Command | Update 5.7 DBUtilDrv2.sys getting flagged by SentinelOne Antivirus Driver Blocking Engine for further details.

According to employee Dell-Andrea V's 05-Jun-2025 post <here> in hduong768's topic Microsoft has now whitelisted the SHA-256 hash for the problematic DBUtilDrv2.sys driver in their vulnerable driver blocklist. If your BSODs still persist after a system restart you might want to try uninstalling the entire Dell Command | Update app to see if this solves your problem.

However, the fact that your "Crashes have occurred during normal use as well as Windows servicing operations such as DISM" suggests something other than Dell Command | Update is the root cause of your problem [e.g., a conflict with your Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250 System BIOS v2.7.3 (rel. 27-Apr-2026) with a recent Windows 11 or hardware driver update]. If you haven't already done so you might want to open a support ticket with CrowdStrike or Dell Technical Support.

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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.7291 * Firefox v151.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.26040.7-1.1.26040.8 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.5.7.255-157.0.5633 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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June 6th, 2026 14:20

Hi lmacri,

Thank you for your response, and my apologies for the delayed reply.

Our machines are locked down by IT, so my organization is currently using Dell Update 5.4.1. Should I suggest that they deploy the latest version?


My IT organization thinks this could be a hardware issue, but at this point I am not convinced. Initially, we thought it was CrowdStrike, but the BSODs continued even after the agent was removed.

ChatGPT sent me down quite a few dead ends :-(, so I finally decided to post here to see whether others had experienced a similar issue. My problem appears to be a little different, however, and it is occurring on different hardware.

Alos thank you for the suggestion to open a ticket with Dell Support and see what they suggest. I have kept copies of the stack logs and DumpStack files in case they are willing to take a look at them.

This is very strange. We have been using Dell machines for years, and I think this is the first time I have experienced this many BSODs.

Also, we have a total of three machines in my team with specs 128GB RAM,  4x2TB SSD,  and NVidia  24GB GPU with the same image, 2 of them have never expreinceed an BSOD so far. 

Thanks again, and if you or anyone else has any other suggestions or things I should look into, please let me know.

Max



BTW: To your other question - My IT Organization has a fully customized deployment, they take care of everything. I have never seen an option or access to the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery. I think when they get the machines from Dell, they wipe everything and remove all partitions, so no factory recovery option. 

"You said that Dell SupportAssist v5.x is not installed on your system, but the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250 support page at https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-us/product/dell-pro-max-mb18250-laptop/drivers does list a Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery Plugin v5.5.16.1 (rel. 14 May 2026). Is Dell SupportAssist Remediation v5.5.16.x emergency recovery software installed on your computer, and if so do you use the Dell Command | Update v5.7.0 app (in conjunction with the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery Plugin) to keep Dell SupportAssist Remediation v5.5.16.x up-to-date?  "




 

(edited)

10 Wizard

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June 6th, 2026 15:21

@lmacri​ ,

 

"Crashes have occurred during normal use as well as Windows servicing operations such as DISM" suggests something other than Dell Command | Update is the root cause of your problem

Agreed. That caught my attention as well. I was thinking something is seriously wrong somewhere ... to cause a basic-core program like that to crash.

(edited)

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June 6th, 2026 18:27

Our machines are locked down by IT, so my organization is currently using Dell Update 5.4.1. Should I suggest that they deploy the latest version? ... I have never seen an option or access to the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery. I think when they get the machines from Dell, they wipe everything and remove all partitions, so no factory recovery option

Hi mmirabito_57512a:

Do you have the current Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250 System BIOS v2.7.3?  To find your BIOS version open a Run dialog box (Windows key + R), enter msinfo32 to open your System Information, and look for the field named "BIOS Date/Version".

Has your IT Department tried uninstalling Dell Command | Update v5.4.1 to see if that stops your BSODs?

There are two different editions of Dell Command | Update v5.7.0 listed on the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250 support page at https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-us/product/dell-pro-max-mb18250-laptop/drivers that were both released on 15-Apr-2026 - the "classic" Win32 standalone Dell Command | Update v5.7.0 (Dell-Command-Update-Application_1RXXF_WIN64_5.7.0_A00.EXE) and the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) / Microsoft Store app called Dell Command | Update for Windows Universal v5.7.0 (Dell-Command-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_913P4_WIN64_5.7.0_A00.EXE).  You would have to enter your unique Service Tag on that support page, choose "Select Drivers",  and click the "This Device" tab to see if only one is compatible with your system components.

Please go to Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features, search for "dell", and post an image showing the name and version number of all your Dell applications so we can see which edition is used by your organization.

NOTE: If you have the UWP edition of Dell Command | Update the word "Universal" should appear in the application name at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features. If Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery is installed on your system it will be listed at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features as "Dell SupportAssist OS Remediation".

I believe Dell Command | Update v5.4.1 (both the "classic" and UWP editions) was released 21-Oct-2024, and that might be what is currently installed on your computer because it was included in the hard drive image your organization used to re-image your system in June 2026.

You would have to ask your IT Department if they want employees to continue using this older (now unsupported) Dell Command | Update v5.4.1.  Just be aware that there was a major change in the design of this app when Dell Command | Update v5.5.0 was released back in April 2025 [see my 05-May-2025 topic Dell Update v5.5.0 (rel. 01-Apr-2025) Installs Unnecessary Bloat] and it's possible that your current Dell Command | Update v5.4.1 isn't automatically updating to the latest v5.7.0 because of this design change.

thank you for the suggestion to open a ticket with Dell Support and see what they suggest. I have kept copies of the stack logs and DumpStack files in case they are willing to take a look at them.

If you are not a member of the IT Department for your organization then your IT Department will have to to open a support ticket with Dell or CrowdStrike.  These companies won't provide tech support to individual employees of an organization that has a corporate service plan.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.7291 * Firefox v151.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.26040.7-1.1.26040.8 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.5.7.255-157.0.5633 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0

(edited)

isGoodTroubleshooting

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June 7th, 2026 13:08

Hi @lmacri,

The BIOS version is 2.7.3, and the only Dell utility installed is Dell Command Update UWP (see screenshots below).

I will speak with our IT organization to see if they want to move to version 5.7.0 as well. I will also open a ticket with Dell first. CrowdStrike is a little more difficult since it is managed by our security organization.

Thank you again for your time.

Thanks,

max


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June 7th, 2026 20:49

The BIOS version is 2.7.3, and the only Dell utility installed is Dell Command Update UWP (see screenshots below).  I will speak with our IT organization to see if they want to move to version 5.7.0 as well.

Hi mmirabito_57512a:

If an update to Dell Command | Update for Windows Universal v5.7.0 (Dell-Command-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_913P4_WIN64_5.7.0_A00.EXE, rel. 15-Apr-2026) doesn't stop your BSODs then your problem might be related to changes Microsoft recently made to their Secure Boot device protection feature and vulnerable driver blocklist.

The release notes for the April 2026 monthly cumulative Quality updates released on 14-Apr-2026 for Win 10 ESU (KB5082200 OS Builds 19045.7184 and 19044.7184) and Win 11 (KB5083769 OS Builds 26200.8246 and 26100.8246) both state in part: 

[Secure Boot]

         ​​​​​​​With this update, Windows quality updates include additional high confidence device targeting data, increasing coverage of devices eligible to automatically receive new Secure Boot certificates. Devices receive the new certificates only after demonstrating sufficient successful update signals, maintaining a controlled and phased rollout.

[Vulnerable driver blocklist]

        This update introduces a security hardening change that adds known vulnerable kernel drivers to the Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist. Backup applications that rely on blocked drivers might experience failures when attempting to mount or manage disk images.

To see if Secure Boot is turned ON open a Run dialog box (Windows key + R), enter msinfo32 to open your System Information, and look for the field named "Secure Boot Status". From my Inspiron 15 5584 laptop, which had Secure Boot turned OFF when it shipped from the factory in 2019:

If your Secure Boot is ON there should be a green / orange / red status icon in your Windows Security app at Device Security | Secure Boot that shows if the new Secure Boot UEFI CA 2023 certificates that Microsoft is rolling out have been installed on your system.  See the Microsoft support article Secure Boot certificate update status in the Windows Security app for more information.

The Dell support article Microsoft 2011 Secure Boot Certificate Expiration states that "All Dell Client BIOSes released after January 01, 2026 will contain the 2023 Secure Boot Certificates".  The "Important Information" section of the details for your Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250 System BIOS v2.7.3 (rel. 27-Apr-2026) states that "This package supports the new 2023 Secure Boot Certificates" so I suspect you already have the new Secure Boot UEFI CA 2023 certificates. 
 

If you have an older or insecure third-party driver that is now being blocked by the new Secure Boot UEFI CA 2023 certificates and/or that third-party driver is on the updated vulnerable driver blocklist this might explain why your system has recently become unstable.  There isn't much you can do if you have an older driver that now appears on Microsoft's updated vulnerable driver blocklist other than to keep your all your software and hardware drivers updated ***, but if your Secure Boot is ON you can temporarily turn Secure Boot OFF in your BIOS settings to see if that stops your BSODs.  The Dell support video How To Enable Secure Boot explains how to enter your BIOS settings and turn Secure Boot OFF or ON.

*** ASIDE: Unfortunately, the psmounterex.sys driver (Paramount Software Image Mounting Driver) bundled with all Macrium Reflect v8.x disk imaging programs was added to Microsoft's updated vulnerable driver blocklist.  I use Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 for disk imaging but Paramount no longer offers a Free edition of this software, so as of April 2026 I can no longer mount my Macrium Reflect disk images and browse individual files and folders in File Explorer.  This has forced me to start looking for another program to replace Macrium Reflect Free.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.7291 * Firefox v151.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.26040.7-1.1.26040.8 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.5.7.255-157.0.5633 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0

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June 8th, 2026 09:12

Hi @lmacri​ 

Regarding your questions and observations, my system is configured with Secure Boot enabled, my organization requires it unless we receive an exemption. All my drivers appear to be in order I think.Please see the attached screenshots.

BTW I was also able to submit a Dell support ticket. The ticket was successfully created, and a representative is supposed to contact me and  I referenced this forum post in the ticket.


Thanks,

max

10 Wizard

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June 8th, 2026 18:05

While it's fairly obvious CloudStrike is having some compatibility problem ...

I noticed your Windows Security is out-dated (as revealed by the wording under SecureBoot section). I'm guessing your IT team is withholding Windows-Updates from your laptop for some reason.

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June 8th, 2026 19:15

Hi @Tesla1856, yes, our machines are fully managed by IT, but I am not sure I follow what you mean by "Windows Security is out-dated" Are you referring to the upcoming CA update?


Thanks

max

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June 8th, 2026 20:46

I'd recommend running the preboot diagnostic to ensure its passing. If you do get any failures, I'd maybe expect it to be memory related. 

  1. Shutdown the unit
  2. Hold down the Fn key and the power button together
  3. The quick test should automatically start
  4. Make note of any error and validation codes if any. Share them with the Dell agent if received 

It may also be worth letting the extended memory test run after completing the quick test. Though, be prepared to let the system run that extended test for 30+ minutes. Alternative hardware testing can consist of trying out a known good hard drive or known good RAM. Though the RAM will be more dependent on your memory configuration. I would not recommend swapping out CAMM memory yourself as those pins are more fragile. If the system shipped with SoDIMMs, then that's an easy swap if spare parts are available. 

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June 9th, 2026 09:04

Hi @DELL-Daniel V​ 


Thanks for the suggestion. I have done it in the past, but I ran it again last night (I ran both the Quick and Exhaustive tests), and everything appears to have come back clean, except the NFC and Video tests. I think those may have failed because I started the diagnostics, left the room, and came back several hours later. I have submitted the results to Dell Support. 

Thanks,

max




10 Wizard

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June 9th, 2026 16:02

@mmirabito_57512a​ ,

 

Hi @Tesla1856, yes, our machines are fully managed by IT, but I am not sure I follow what you mean by "Windows Security is out-dated" Are you referring to the upcoming CA update?

Yes.

AFAIK, it should look like this by now. Most of us have had this updated notification area for a month-or-so now.

https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/04/22/windows-11-april-update-now-reveals-if-secure-boot-2023-certificate-is-applied-to-your-pc/

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July 7th, 2026 15:52

As of today this issue is still unresolved.

  • Third week of June Dell replaced the RAM. Within 20 minutes BSOD returned
  • The longest streak without a BSOD was from 6/25 - 7/5
  • This week (7/6) Dell will be replacing CPU and Mother Board

Will keep you update if the BSODs disappears.

Thanks,

max

(edited)

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