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MemTest86+
What it is
MemTest86+ is a free, open-source stand-alone memory tester for x86, x86-64, ARM AArch64, and LoongArch64 computers. It runs algorithms such as moving inversions and Modulo-20 to find memory failures and help investigate crashes, freezes, and system instability. It can access almost all computer memory without operating-system memory or UEFI library limits. The tester can start from legacy or UEFI BIOS, use Linux boot protocols, or run from a FAT32 USB flash drive, CD-ROM, or PXE network boot. For PXE, the project documents memtest.bin for BIOS PXE and memtest.efi for UEFI PXE as iPXE or PXELINUX payloads. Testing continues indefinitely, with the pass counter advancing after all selected tests finish. Secure Boot must be temporarily disabled because the binary is not signed by Microsoft. USB support remains a work in progress, and not all USB devices are supported. The software uses the GNU GPL version 2, with no additional restrictions on private or commercial use. Stable and nightly binaries are available, but nightly builds are generated automatically and are untested and unsupported.
For and against
For
- Free for private or commercial use
- Supports multiple computer architectures
- Can boot from USB, CD-ROM, or PXE
- Tests run without operating-system memory limits
Against
- Secure Boot must be temporarily disabled
- Not all USB devices are supported
- Nightly builds are untested and unsupported
The verdict
MemTest86+ provides a bootable way to check memory across several architectures and boot methods. Check Secure Boot and USB compatibility before using it, and note that nightly builds are unsupported.
Who it suits
MemTest86+ suits people troubleshooting suspected memory problems on supported computer architectures. It can boot from USB, disc, or PXE, but Secure Boot must be disabled temporarily.
Plans and prices
Free and open-source
stand-alone memory tester · GPLv2 · private or commercial use
Read 1 Oct 2026 · memtest.org
On the record
- Algorithms
- Its documented algorithms include moving inversions and Modulo-20 testing.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Architectures
- The README says it supports x86, x86-64, ARM AArch64, and LoongArch64 computers.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Boot modes
- It can run directly from legacy or UEFI BIOS or through Linux boot protocols.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Build environment
- The build is tested on Linux and uses the GNU toolchain, including GCC, binutils, and make.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Execution
- Memtest86+ executes indefinitely, and the pass counter increments after all selected tests have run.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- Memtest86+ is released under GNU GPL version 2 with no restrictions beyond the GPL for private or commercial use.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Memory access
- It can access almost all computer memory without being restricted by operating-system memory or UEFI libraries.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Network boot
- For PXE, memtest.bin can be used with BIOS PXE and memtest.efi with UEFI PXE as an iPXE or PXELINUX payload.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Memtest86+ is a free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for IA-32, x86-64, and LoongArch64 systems.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Release support
- Stable and nightly binaries are available, but nightly builds are automatically generated, fully untested, and unsupported.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Secure Boot
- The binary is not signed by Microsoft, so Secure Boot must be temporarily disabled.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Support channel
- The project asks users to submit bug reports on its official GitHub page with hardware and reproduction details.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Supported media
- It can run from a FAT32 USB flash drive, CD-ROM, or network boot using PXE.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Testing purpose
- It uses various algorithms to detect memory failures and troubleshoot crashes, freezes, and system instability.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- USB limitation
- The USB drivers are still work in progress and not all USB devices are supported.memtest.org · read 1 Oct 2026
