Intel AI Boost Code 43 if memory speed exceeds DDR5-6400

GhostMotley · ‎07-26-2025

I recently built a system with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF and MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI, I have noticed if you enable 200S Boost, or enable XMP, if the speed exceeds DDR5-6400, the driver for the NPU (Intel AI Boost) will not load, you will get Error 43 in device manager, nor does it appear in Task Manager.

If you disable 200S Boost or XMP, or manually set the memory speed to DDR5-6400 (or below), the NPU driver loads fine.

This persists whether I use the NPU driver from MSI's website, or whether I download the latest Intel NPU driver from Intel.

This appears to be impacting multiple LGA1851 motherboards, as I can find threads for both MSI and ASUS boards

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-800-series/intel-ai-boost-error/td-p/1055620

https://www.overclock.net/threads/apex-z890-core-ultra-9-intel-ai-boost-device-wont-load-driver-is-installed.1813412/

https://community.intel.com/t5/Mobile-and-Desktop-Processors/Problem-with-Intel-AI-Boost-Driver-code43-Intel-Core-Ultra-7/m-p/1701823

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/npu-error-43.411152/#post-2346171

I'm not sure if this is a BIOS bug that Intel will need to address with OEMs, or a driver issue.

My full system specifications are:

Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 265KF
MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI with latest 7E32v1A80 BIOS
G.Skill 48GB Trident Z5 CK RGB DDR5-8200 (F5-8200C4052G24GX2-TZ5CRK)
Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Nitro+
SanDisk WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB
be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1200W

VonM_Intel · ‎07-28-2025

Hi GhostMotley,
Thank you for posting in our Community and detailed report regarding the Intel AI Boost (NPU) driver issue when using memory speeds above DDR5-6400. I appreciate the time you've taken to document the behavior and share relevant community threads. This information is incredibly helpful.

Based on your description and the consistency of the issue across different LGA1851 motherboards, this does appear to be a repeatable compatibility or configuration-related issue that could involve BIOS-level behavior or driver-level limitations.

To further investigate and escalate this matter appropriately, may I kindly ask the following:

Which version and build of Windows are you currently running?
Could you confirm the exact version number of the Intel AI Boost (NPU) driver you’ve tested (both from MSI and Intel)?
Aside from the NPU not appearing/working, have you observed any other system instability or crashes at memory speeds above DDR5-6400?
Are there any additional CPU or platform-related tuning options (like CPU power limits, VDDQ/VDD memory voltages, SA/IMC voltages) that were adjusted when testing above DDR5-6400?
Are there any additional error messages in the Windows Event Viewer that correspond to the Code 43 error when the issue occurs?

Have a nice day!

Best regards,
Von M.
Intel Customer Support Technician

GhostMotley · ‎07-28-2025

Hello Von,

I am using Windows 11 24H2, OS Build 26100.4770
I am currently using the latest MSI supplied version with the Z890 TOMAHAWK, which is 32.0.100.3717. I have also tried 32.0.100.4181 and 32.0.100.4023 directly from the Intel website, including with the 'Execute clean installation' checkbox ticked.
No, the system hasn't had any crashes or WHEA errors, I have also stress tested the memory at DDR5-8200 in both MemTest86 and Karhu for hours without any errors.
All other BIOS settings are at the stock values.
If I check in Device Manager and remove/re-add the device, these events occur:

Device PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_AD1D&SUBSYS_7E321462&REV_01\3&11583659&0&58 was configured.

Driver Name: oem33.inf
Driver Package ID: npu.inf_amd64_b5234cb0f8a3327c
Class GUID: {f01a9d53-3ff6-48d2-9f97-c8a7004be10c}
Driver Date: 02/06/2025
Driver Version: 32.0.100.3717
Driver Provider: Intel Corporation
Driver Section: NPU2_7_w11_26040_DS
Driver Rank: 0xFF2001
Matching Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_AD1D
Outranked Drivers:
Device Updated: false
Parent Device: ACPI\PNP0A08\0

Followed by:

Device PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_AD1D&SUBSYS_7E321462&REV_01\3&11583659&0&58 had a problem starting.

Driver Name: oem33.inf
Class GUID: {f01a9d53-3ff6-48d2-9f97-c8a7004be10c}
Service: npu
Lower Filters:
Upper Filters:
Problem: 0x26
Problem Status: 0xC000038E

Regards

VonM_Intel · ‎07-30-2025

Hello GhostMotley,

Thank you for the detailed information. I see that you're running Windows 11 24H2 (Build 26100.4770) and using the MSI Z890 TOMAHAWK motherboard with various versions of the graphics driver, including clean installations of 32.0.100.4181 and 32.0.100.4023. It's also good to know that your system is otherwise stable, with no WHEA errors or crashes, and that your memory has passed extensive stress testing at DDR5-8200. Based on the Device Manager events and error codes, specifically, Problem Status: 0xC000038E. This typically indicates a driver initialization failure or compatibility issue, possibly related to the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) or a mismatch between the OS version and driver package expectations, especially given the early adoption of Windows 11 24H2, which may not yet be fully validated across all driver stacks

Just to confirm, have you already performed a re-installation of your Windows OS?

Best regards,
Von M.
Intel Customer Support Technician

GhostMotley · ‎07-31-2025

Hello Vom,

Reinstalled Windows 11 24H2 many times.

I am happy to report that MSI have provided me with a currently unpublished BIOS for the MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI that resolves this issue.

XMP profile is set, DDR5-8200, with the NGU and D2D at 3.2GHz (same as the 200S Boost values) and the NPU driver now loads & installs fine.

Regards,

Charlie

VonM_Intel · ‎07-31-2025

Hello GhostMotley,

Thank you for the update, and I’m truly glad to hear that everything is now working as expected. It’s great to know that MSI was able to provide an unpublished BIOS for your MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard that successfully resolved the issue. Your detailed feedback, especially regarding the XMP profile, DDR5 configuration, and NPU driver installation, is much appreciated. Since the resolution involved a BIOS provided directly by MSI, we kindly recommend reaching out to them for similar issues in the future, as they will have the most up-to-date support and firmware-specific solutions. Hopefully, it may help other community members experiencing similar behavior. Since the thread is now solved, I will proceed to close it. Please keep in mind that this thread will no longer be monitored by Intel.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Von M.

Intel Customer Support Technician