Problems with Samsung 990 Evo Plus SSD on MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi – Blue Screens and USB Failures

Troubleshooting Compatibility Issues Between Samsung 990 Evo Plus SSD and MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi Motherboard

Introduction

Upgrading to a new solid-state drive (SSD) can significantly enhance your PC’s performance. However, sometimes new hardware can introduce unforeseen issues. Recently, users have reported compatibility challenges when integrating the Samsung 990 Evo Plus SSD with the MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard. These problems often manifest as system instability, including blue screen errors and peripheral malfunctions.

Description of the Issue

In particular, users have observed recurring blue screens with stop codes such as CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED and IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL after installing the Samsung 990 Evo Plus SSD. Accompanying these are intermittent USB port failures, which can be disruptive during routine usage. Notably, reverting to an older, smaller SSD—such as a 250GB drive—resolves these issues, indicating that the problem is likely related to the new SSD’s interaction with the system.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken

To diagnose the issue, several standard troubleshooting measures have been implemented:

System and Driver Updates: Ensuring that the motherboard’s BIOS and all device drivers are current.
SSD Reinstallation: Removing and reinstalling the SSD to verify proper connection and detection.
Testing in Different Slots: Using different M.2 slots on the motherboard to rule out physical slot defects.
Minimal Connection Configuration: Connecting only the SSD during boot to eliminate peripheral interference.
Analyzing Minidump Files: Reviewing crash dumps for clues, with relevant files available for further analysis.

Potential Causes

These troubleshooting steps suggest a potential compatibility issue between the Samsung 990 Evo Plus SSD and the MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard. Such issues can stem from:

BIOS/firmware incompatibilities
Power management conflicts
Driver incompatibilities
Firmware bugs in the SSD

Next Steps and Recommendations

For users experiencing similar problems, consider the following:

Update BIOS: Check MSI’s official website for the latest BIOS version tailored for the B650 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard, as manufacturers often release updates to enhance hardware compatibility.
Update SSD Firmware: Visit Samsung’s support page to ensure your SSD has the latest firmware installed.
Check for Windows Updates: Keep your operating system updated to the latest version to ensure optimal hardware support.
Disable Fast Boot and Secure Boot: Sometimes, certain UEFI/BI