Determining an underlying cause for errors that are detected in the data processing system is performed. An occurrence of at least one error in the data processing system is detected, thereby forming a detected error. Responsive to detecting the detected error, a determination is made as to whether there is at least one previously recorded error in an error history data structure that is the underlying cause for the detected error. The at least one previously recorded error is related to the detected error and the at least one previously recorded error is of a different type from the detected error. Responsive to identifying the at least one previously recorded error, the at least one previously recorded error is reported to a user.