0X0000029F

Fix ERROR_PNP_BAD_MPS_TABLE (0x29F) in Windows BIOS

EP
Erropedia Team
📅 August 2, 2026 📅 Updated Aug 2, 2026 👁 1 views Windows Errors Intermediate
Error 0x29F means a device is missing from the BIOS MPS table. Fix it by updating BIOS or toggling MPS settings. Try these steps in order.

Quick answer: Update your BIOS to the latest version and set the MPS (MultiProcessor Specification) table version to 1.4 if available. If that doesn't work, reset CMOS or disable unused onboard devices.

This error shows up when you're installing or booting Windows and the system can't find a device that the BIOS listed in its MPS table. The MPS table is an old handshake between the BIOS and the OS—it tells Windows which interrupt controllers and processors exist. When a device is physically present but missing from that table, Windows throws a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with code 0x29F. I've seen this most often on older Dell and HP workstations (like the OptiPlex 790 or Z420) after a hardware change—swapping a GPU, adding a PCIe card, or even reseating RAM. A BIOS update or a quirky setting change usually fixes it.

Fix Steps

  1. Check your BIOS version and update it. Reboot your PC and press F2 (or Del, Esc, F10—depends on the brand) to enter BIOS setup. Look for the BIOS revision on the main screen. Go to the manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.), find your exact model, and download the latest BIOS file. Follow their instructions—most use a Windows-based updater, but if you're already crashing, use the F12 USB flash method. After updating, the MPS table gets rebuilt. You should see the system boot normally after this.
  2. Change the MPS version to 1.4. In BIOS setup, look for a setting called MultiProcessor Specification Version or MPS Table Version. It's usually under Advanced or Processor settings. Set it to 1.4 (instead of 1.1). Save and exit. On most systems, 1.4 is more compatible with modern OSes. After saving, the system will reboot—you should get past the BSOD if this was the issue.
  3. Toggle APIC mode. Some BIOSes have an option for APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller). Find it under Advanced → ACPI Configuration or CPU Configuration. If it's set to Disabled, enable it. If it's already enabled, try disabling it, boot, then re-enable it. This forces the BIOS to regenerate the MPS table. After each change, save and reboot. Watch for the error to disappear.
  4. Reset CMOS to factory defaults. If the above steps don't help, power off, unplug the PC, and remove the round CR2032 battery on the motherboard. Wait 30 seconds, then put it back. Or use the CLR_CMOS jumper if your motherboard has one. This clears any corrupted BIOS data. When you reboot, you'll see a message like "CMOS checksum error—defaults loaded." Press F1 to enter setup, set the date/time, then exit. The MPS table will be regenerated from scratch.
  5. Disable unused onboard devices. If you recently added a PCIe card, a sound card, or a second GPU, go into BIOS and disable the onboard devices you're not using (onboard audio, LAN, serial ports). Sometimes the BIOS lists a device that's actually disabled, or it fails to list a device that's enabled. In the Integrated Peripherals section, turn off anything you don't need. Save and reboot. This narrows down the conflict.

Alternative Fixes

If the standard steps fail, try these less common but effective methods:

  • Remove and reseat hardware. Power down, unplug, then remove all PCIe cards, RAM sticks, and SATA cables. Clean the contacts with isopropyl alcohol if they look dirty. Reinstall them firmly. This sometimes makes the BIOS recognize a device it was ignoring. I've seen a half-seated graphics card cause exactly this error.
  • Use a different Windows installation media. If you're trying to install Windows, the ISO could be corrupt. Re-download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and create a fresh USB drive. A bad installer can misread the MPS table.
  • Set the OS type in BIOS. Some BIOSes have an OS Type or Operating System setting (often under Boot). Change it from Other to Windows 10 or Windows 11. This adjusts ACPI and MPS behavior. Save and reboot.

Prevention Tip

Before you change any hardware, write down your BIOS settings or take photos with your phone. After you install a new device, update your BIOS first. That avoids the MPS table going stale. Also, keep your BIOS updated—manufacturers patch these tables all the time. On older machines, don't go beyond the supported hardware list; adding unsupported devices can trigger this exact error.

If you're stuck at a BSOD and can't get into Windows, you can still access BIOS—just press the setup key during boot. If that doesn't work, unplug the drive and try a different PC to download the BIOS update.

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EP
Erropedia Team
Tech Support Editors
The Erropedia editorial team researches and documents real-world tech errors from across Windows, Linux, macOS, networking, databases, cloud platforms, and more. Every solution is reviewed for accuracy and updated as software and systems evolve.