Intel has no plans to recall those crashing 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, hasn't halted sales, and the damage to affected chips may be permanent

Intel Core i9 14900K CPU on a box and inside a motherboard socket.
(Image credit: Future)

If you're an Intel chip owner affected by CPU crashing issues, you'll likely have been pleased by the official news from Intel last week that it was going to be delivering a microcode patch to address the root cause of exposure to elevated voltages.

However, The Verge asked Intel if it was planning a recall of chips already affected, and the answer seems pretty definitive. Not only will it not be recalling the affected CPUs, but it has not halted sales and has yet to comment on whether it might extend its warranty.

Not only that but if recent reports are to be believed, the damage to affected CPUs may be permanent. According to Tom's Hardware, while the microcode patch is expected to prevent crashing on processors yet to be affected by the issue, it will not fix chips that are already damaged. 

When asked specifically by The Verge whether affected CPUs were "living on borrowed time", Intel spokesman Paul Hannaford said:

"Intel is confident that the microcode patch will be an effective preventative solution for processors already in service."

Hannaford continued: "It is possible the patch will provide some instability improvements to currently impacted processors; however, customers experiencing instability on their 13th or 14th Generation desktop processor-based systems should contact Intel customer support for further assistance."

The spokesman confirmed that Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors with a 65 W or higher base power could also be affected, including all K/KF/KS and non-K variants.

Intel still recommends that users yet to receive the update adhere to Intel Default Settings on their desktop processors and keep their BIOS up to date and that once the patch has been released to partners, immediately check for relevant BIOS updates. A production microcode updated to Intel's OEM customers is targeted for "mid-August or sooner."

If your chip has already been affected, Hannaford suggests that users continue to reach out to Intel Customer Support for further assistance. However, no answer has yet been given as to what proof customers would need to share to obtain an RMA for a damaged CPU with this issue.

Essentially, if you've been experiencing crashing issues with your Intel 13th or 14th generation chip then it's down to you to contact Intel and raise an RMA request. If you're not sure if your particular CPU has been affected, Intel has been recommending a Robeytech video on Reddit with instructions to potentially help identify problems.

Given the scale of the issue here and the furore around it, it seems like a more definitive recall would be the correct move to keep customers happy, along with warranty extensions and more to help resolve affected users' issues. By the looks of these statements, however, Intel seems to be digging in, and while BIOS updates may be on their way, those with an Intel CPU that's already affected look to be facing a potentially lengthy RMA procedure to replace their damaged chips.

Best CPU for gamingBest gaming motherboardBest graphics cardBest SSD for gaming


Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.
Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.
Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.
Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.

Andy Edser
Hardware Writer

Andy built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 12, when IDE cables were a thing and high resolution wasn't—and he hasn't stopped since. Now working as a hardware writer for PC Gamer, Andy's been jumping around the world attending product launches and trade shows, all the while reviewing every bit of PC hardware he can get his hands on. You name it, if it's interesting hardware he'll write words about it, with opinions and everything.

Read more
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard
Reddit reports of 9800X3D CPUs dying in ASRock motherboards are racking up fast, but a new BIOS update seemingly only addresses boot problems
A photo of an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor next to an Intel logo
Intel reveals the four fails of Arrow Lake in a new blog post, promising more performance fixes in January
Bill Gates speaks onstage for a special conversation during "What’s Next? The Future With Bill Gates"at The Paris Theater on September 26, 2024 in New York City.
Bill Gates laments Pat Gelsinger's failure to save Intel: 'I was hoping for his sake, for the country's sake that he would be successful'
Robert Hallock, VP of CCG at Intel, on stage at CES 2025.
Intel unveils second round of updates intended to bring Arrow Lake desktop chips up to expectations: 'our software for the 200S has reached full performance'
Pipboy holds up an open padlock.
A BIOS update could be all that's stopping you or someone else from jailbreaking your old AMD CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor
AMD accuses Intel's Arrow Lake of being a 'horrible' product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortage
Latest in Processors
Aooster's G-Flip 370 mini PC
This palm-sized PC has removably memory, a flip up screen, and a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor
Texas Instruments MSPM0C1104 tiny chip
World's smallest microcontroller looks like I could easily accidentally inhale it but packs a genuine 32-bit Arm CPU
Intel engineers inspect a lithography machine
Finally some good vibes from Intel as stock jumps 15% on new CEO hire and Arizona fab celebrates 'Eagle has landed' moment for its 18A node
A photo of an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor surrounded by DDR5 memory sticks from Corsair, Kingston, and Lexar
Fresh leak suggests Intel's on-again-off-again Arrow Lake CPU refresh is back on the menu (boys)
 photo shows a factory tool that places lids on data center system-on-chips at an Intel fab in Chandler, Arizona, in December 2023. In February 2024, Intel Corporation launched Intel Foundry as the world’s first systems foundry for the AI era, delivering leadership in technology, resiliency and sustainability.
Return of the gigahertz wars: New Chinese transistor uses bismuth instead of silicon to potentially sock it to Intel and TSMC with 40% more speed
 photo shows a factory tool that places lids on data center system-on-chips at an Intel fab in Chandler, Arizona, in December 2023. In February 2024, Intel Corporation launched Intel Foundry as the world’s first systems foundry for the AI era, delivering leadership in technology, resiliency and sustainability.
So, wait, now TSMC is supposedly pitching a joint venture with Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom to run Intel's ailing chip fabs?
Latest in News
A Steam Deck with SteamOS running in desktop mode.
A new and improved desktop experience just landed on Steam Deck and SteamOS is readying 'support for non-Steam Deck handhelds'
Olivia, a hunter from Monster Hunter Wilds, looks perplexed in an icy blue environment.
Monster Hunter Wilds players wonder if frenzied monsters are a little undercooked, as one slaps a sickly bird into a fine paste in just 25 seconds
Inzoi character studio - A Zoi designed to look like Billie Eilish
Inzoi is giving eager life simmers another free taste of its gorgeous character creator, with a bonus build mode demo for the architecture nerds
A group of adventurers plans out their strategy on a table of maps and documents.
This Pathfinder Humble Bundle lets you level up your TTRPG library and donate to charity at the same time starting at just $5
Sans, from the hit 2015 RPG undertale, folds his arms in a dashing suit as stonks rise in the background.
You can grab Undertale for less than $1, as the genre-defining indie RPG beats its all-time player peak for the first time in 10 years
Key art for the new Age of Empires 2 expansion showing an angry Viking and Japanese warlod.
Age of Empires 2 team continues to cook while delivering 'legendarily long' 8,000-word patch notes about 'the biggest updates' the 26 year-old game has ever had