During the last couple of months there has been an unsettling amount of reports that Skylake NUCs have stopped working properly. Intel even pulled one BIOS update, the BIOS version 33 is not available any more. Typically, you will see WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR if you are running Windows or MCE errors if you run Linux. It seems that if your NUC exhibits these problems (frequent crashes with WHEA errors) it has already reached the point of no return. In that case you need to return the NUC to Intel for repair.

Quite a lot of people have been frustrated by the lack of response in the Intel forums. Initially Intel released a FAQ for the Skylake issues, but that hasn’t received updates in the last weeks.

EDIT: Few minutes after posting this article, the FAQ was also updated with the information below.

EDIT 2: It seems that Intel has found the solution and BIOS version 42 should correct the problems. It’s highly recommended to update to BIOS version 42 if your system does not exhibit any WHEA issues yet. If it does, you’ll need to get the unit replaced by Intel.

It finally seems that someone has picked up the ball, as user cvare has posted an update including a date when the next piece of information will come out the latest. The message was:

Hi all, Intel is actively investigating the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” issue reported on the Intel® NUC Kit NUC6I3SYH, Intel® NUC Kit NUC6I3SYK, Intel® NUC Kit NUC6I5SYH, and Intel® NUC Kit NUC6I5SYK products. We have replicated the issue with BIOS 0039. We do not currently have a workaround for this issue. Customers who see this error repeatedly on this product are encouraged to contact Intel Customer Support. We will provide an additional update by Friday, April 8, or sooner if relevant information becomes available.

Update on April 8th (thanks for the heads up SebasF1):

Intel continues to actively investigate the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” issue reported by end users on the Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i3SYH, NUC Kit NUC6i3SYK, NUC Kit NUC6i5SYH, and NUC KitNUC6i5SYK products. Intel has an internal task force diligently working to resolve this issue as soon as possible and deliver a robust solution for affected users. Intel does not currently have a workaround for this issue. Intel confirms the issue currently being investigated is not corrected by any current BIOS, limiting C-states, updating the operating system software, or replacing peripheral components. Intel appreciates the patience exhibited by affected users while we work to resolve this difficult issue. Users who see this error repeatedly on this product are encouraged to contact Intel Customer Support for assistance. Intel will provide another update by Friday April 15th, or sooner if relevant information becomes available.

Update on April 12th, Intel recommends upgrading the BIOS to the recently released version 42 that includes improved “electrical overstress protection”:

Intel is continuing to investigate the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” issue reported by end users on the Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i3SYH, Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i3SYK, Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i5SYH, and Intel® NUC KitNUC6i5SYK products. Intel will continue to provide updates on this ongoing investigation of the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR”. We will provide an additional update by Friday, April 22, or sooner if relevant information becomes available. Intel has released BIOS version 0042 that improves the electrical overstress protection in the voltage regulator circuitry on the Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i3SYH, Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i3SYK, Intel® NUC Kit NUC6i5SYH, and Intel® NUC KitNUC6i5SYK products. While the root cause investigation continues, Intel recommends customers update the Intel NUC to BIOS version 0042.

Final update on April 22nd:

Intel has characterized the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” issue on the Intel® NUC Kits that have been returned to Intel. Intel has released BIOS 0042 which correctly initializes the voltage regulator and eliminates the electrical over-voltage which has been proven to cause the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” issue. Customers who continue to experience the “WHEA UNCORRECTABLE ERROR” issue are encouraged to contact Intel Customer Support. Intel recommends customers update the Intel NUC to BIOS version 0042. Systems with a product number of SAxxxxxx-503 or later, or systems with a blue dot label added to the Intel NUC and the outer box, have already been updated to BIOS version 0042.

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