Framework 13 AMD crashing on different OSs

Community Support
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I’ve been dealing with a very similar issue on my Framework 13 AMD and wanted to share my experience so far. I’ve been going in circles with support, and it’s been incredibly frustrating. Here’s a rundown of my specs, symptoms, and only some of the things I’ve tried:

My Setup:

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
  • RAM: 64GB DDR5-5600 (tested with both official Framework RAM and third-party modules)
  • OS: Ubuntu 24.04 (clean stock install, also had the issue with 22.04)

Symptoms:

  • Random Restarts: The laptop will suddenly restart without warning, sometimes under load like video playback and sometimes under minor load like web browsing, with no clear error logs or journalctl entries before the crash. Sometimes these crashes happen after days of normal usage. Sometimes it happens multiple times a day.
  • No Prior Issues on Intel: I previously used an Intel mainboard without any stability problems, so this seems specific to the AMD setup.

What I’ve Tried:

  1. RAM Testing: I’ve done extensive testing with memtest86+, trying multiple configurations:
  • Tested both third-party and official Framework RAM.
  • Swapped RAM sticks between slots, used single sticks, and ran memtest86+ with each configuration. All tests passed without errors.
  1. Firmware, BIOS, and Driver Updates: I’ve made sure everything is up-to-date:
  • Updated to the latest BIOS version recommended for AMD.
  • Installed the latest kernel and AMD-specific drivers for Ubuntu.
  1. USB-C and Dock Testing:
  • Tried multiple USB-C docks and hubs (Anker 555, Dell D6000, Vava, Caldigit TS3 Plus).
  • Tested with and without external monitors attached, and even with no peripherals connected.
  • Crashes still happen randomly, often while docked, but also at times with no external connections.
  1. Testing with Different Chargers:
  • Switched between a 96W MacBook charger and a 61W model to see if charging affected stability, but the crashes continued on both.
  1. Miscellaneous Troubleshooting:
  • I tried running with the bezel removed to rule out display issues.
  • I also tried different USB-C expansion slots, as well as charging from various ports to see if it changed the crash frequency.

Framework Support suggested using a Live USB environment for extended testing to rule out software issues, but since this is my only laptop, it’s not practical to operate from a Live CD for multiple days. This seems like overkill since I’ve already done a fresh install. Given the level of testing I’ve already completed, I’m becoming more convinced this is a hardware or electrical issue with the AMD mainboard.

This issue has caused me to cancel my preorders for the upgraded display and a framework 16. I can no longer recommend getting an AMD framework laptop, this is by far the most unstable laptop I’ve ever had.

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