Fix: “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” Error Blue Screen/BSOD Windows 10

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is a BSOD error in the Windows that compels it to restart time and again without prior noticing. The issue represents kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory while the process IRQL was too high. At comparatively higher IRQL levels, kernel blocks attempt to complete the I/O operation meanwhile the request is caused to fail. Continuous failure makes the task difficult to access memory and it has a bug check value 0x000000D1.  On the affected devices, errors messages are kept on striking the desktop while trying to start a program or running it.

DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL BSOD error in Windows 10 mainly occurs when an outdated and defective driver exists. Moreover, malware or virus attacks, deletion of system resources because of conflicts between similar programs, missing DLL files, incorrect allocation of memory may be a reason. The issue also appears just after using an external Hard Disk or having bad areas in primary HDD and if it runs in low space. Hence, necessary measures should be taken immediately to resolve the error. We are presenting a wide range of effective workarounds aiming to fix this annoying Blue Screen error in Windows 10. Following is the list of workarounds –

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen/BSOD Windows 10 Solutions

Here is how to fix DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen/BSOD Windows 10 –

1: Forbid Windows From Restarting Automatically

The most annoying issue that occurs during DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL Error is, Windows prompts to restart repeatedly. As a result, there is no ample time to apply Blue screen resolutions. However, we can block this automatic rebooting in a very simple way like below –

• Go to the desktop area first (Win+D). Before that, save and close any ongoing process or minimize it.
• When in place, perform a right click on This PC icon and select Properties option from the menu there.
• This will open the System window in different page.
• Select Advanced system settings from the left pane.
• Move down in the current tab and reach out to the Startup and Recovery area. Click on Settings.
• Upon opening a new wizard, head to its System failure part and untick the box beside “Automatically restart”.

• Lastly, select the OK button located at the bottom and save the change.

With this, Windows will not attempt to restart without notifying. Thus, there will be enough scope for deploying other resolutions.

2: Boot the Device in Safe Mode to Fix DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error

In all sorts of critical issues like DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL arising in Windows 10, Booting in Safe Mode is considered as a general remedy. In this special Startup method, windows loads only basic programs and that heals the most. The process is as follows –

Step-1: Press Windows key to open up the Start menu.

Step-2: Type msconfig using the keyboard.

Step-3: Select System Configuration loaded in the result to open it in a separate window.

Step-4: In the appearing wizard, shift in the Boot tab and come down to the second half.

Step-5: Transferring into the Boot options section, hit the checkmark on the box before Safe Boot.

Step-6: When the grayed options turn black, select the radio button for Minimal.

Step-7: Moving ahead, choose Apply initially and then hit Ok to implement these changes.

Step-8: Leave the wizard immediately and reboot the device.

Step-9: After completing the cycle of rebooting, when Windows boots up, keep pressing F8 key continuously.

Step-10: Once the next page is visible, select Safe Mode located in the Advanced boot options area.

Step-11: Get the entrance to the Safe Mode in the succeeding movement.

3: Use Windows Device Manager for updating outdated drivers

Every time there is a BSOD error upfront, we find outdated device drivers are the culprit. Updating these will be a lot easier using the default Device Manager as indicated in Yellow accent. To accomplish the tasks, the instructions are as follows –

• Make a joint press of Windows and S keys to open Taskbar Search.
• In the empty text area, type ‘Device Manager” and select it from results.
• In the appearing console next, look for an exclamation mark in a device from the list.
• Once found, expand the same by making a click on it.
• When expanded, make a right click on that and select Update driver option from the appearing menu. Update the same by following upcoming instructions in the display. Do the same for others and update all the defective and out drivers.

4: Install all available update patches

Microsoft schedules the releasing of major patches and cumulative updates at very regular intervals so that you can have them easily. These are packages of brand new features and addressing of bugs and problems. Leaving patches pending is unwise and in the process, the strength of the OS deteriorates. To avoid the fatal consequences of DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen error, let’s install these files using below guidelines –

Note- Try to use a wireless connection or a broadband one for internet. If you have to use the Mobile Hotspot, disable the Metered Connection first and start the proceedings.

• Manage entrance to the Windows Settings app by pressing Win+I keys together.
• From the app home, move ahead to Update & Security followed by making a click on it.
• Once the succeeding page loads fully, choose Windows Update subsection lying in the left wing.
• Move to the corresponding pane and hit on the button entitled with Check for updates.

• After the searching ends and all the patches show up, perform a click on the Download button under each of them.
• Upon finishing off the downloading process, Windows will install them automatically.
• Keep the desktop manned to reboot Windows whenever required.

5: Use Windows Security for resolving Malware issues

We are well aware that, nowadays malware is enough to cause several damages to the system still we cannot stay safe as they are present everywhere on the web. Whenever we visit a malicious website or make a click in suspicious link, they get entrance to the system. The next step is deleting system resources and causing DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen. Windows Security is a built-in utility that has the capability to resolve them very efficiently. Let’s utilize the app in below method for virus dismissal –

• Roll the cursor to the rightmost side of Taskbar and eventually make a click on the Show hidden icons arrow.
• When the menu shows up, choose the shield icon and launch the Windows Security app.
• Once the app launches in a separate window, select Virus & threat protection from left and passes forward to the adjacent side.
• Perform a click on the link available for Scan options and unroll the detection methods.
• Hit the radio button before Full scan option and in due course, select Scan now button.

• After the detecting ends, results will appear in the display. If any malware is detected, hit the Clean threats options. This will start dismissing the viruses.
• Proceeding ahead to the consequent page, you will have three more options. Do a click on Remove and then Start actions buttons to take necessary measures.
• When all the virus components are dismissed, perform a reboot using the usual method.

6: Run the Windows BSOD Troubleshooter to Resolve DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen is a notorious issue and found to cause serious damages to OS. Microsoft considered the consequences and put forward a handy utility as savior. The Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter is accessible if you are using Fall Creators Update or above version. Here is how to proceed to the tool –

• Move the cursor to Start menu and when reached there, do a click on the cog icon.
• After Windows Settings app being loaded, select Update & Security to open up its additional settings page.
• From the following window, choose Troubleshoot from the left side and jump to the alongside pane.
• Reach out to Blue Screen option here and make a click on it once found.
• Hit Run the Troubleshooter button from elongated pane to activate the tool.

The utility will now start taking actions against BSOD issues. Once the process ends, hopefully, there will be no more DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen Windows 10

7: Remove similar apps from the system to avoid colliding

Whenever there are similar applications present in the same system, they often engage in the collision. The result is missing necessary OS resources and ultimately the BSOD DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error. As a preventive measure, uninstalling them comes in the first place. To uninstall a program, follow the below guidelines –

• Open Windows Settings app using the same guidelines shown in the previous workaround.
• When loaded completely, move the cursor over UI and do a click on Apps tile.
• Moving ahead to the next window, select Apps & features located in the left pane and also jump in the corresponding pane.
• On the right side, you will see a complete list of pf installed programs. Reach out to the applications causing DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen/BSOD in Windows 10.
• Select them one after another and hit the Uninstall button from the expanded pane.
• If UAC asks for permission, provide consent by selecting Yes.
• Follow the on-screen guidelines until the process finishes.
• Once the uninstallation is completed, restart the device to save these changes.
• After returning back to operation, make a check for the existence of DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen/BSOD Windows 10.
• If the issue resolves successfully, you can download and install the apps removed once necessary.

8: Disconnect the External Hard Disk and DVD drive

Many people have experienced the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen error in the system after using an additional HDD or an external DVD drive. The issue resolved easily after disconnecting them only. Therefore, if you have faced similar situations, follow the below instruction and complete a cycle of disconnect – Reconnecting them.

• Disconnect the hardware items including additional HDD and external DVD drive from ports through which they are connected to PC.
• Leave them in a safe location to avoid all sorts of damages.
• Once disconnected, restart Windows 10 PC.
• Windows after performing the rebooting when sign back in, check for the error in the system.
• If nothing found, start connecting them again in the correct order.
• When connected, open up the web browser and also do a visit to the maker’s website for these Hardware accessories.
• Download and install the latest drivers for respective items from there.

9: Resolve the Poor areas of Hard Disk using Disk Checking Tool

Hard Disk areas can form poor and defective sectors after using it for a long time. In most cases, such conditions leave a small scope to rectify. Disk Checking utility can fix these areas and limit the risk of causing DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen error. To use the tool, the guidelines are as follows –

• Do a combined pressing of Ctrl+Alt+Del keys and choose Task Manager.
• From the app UI, perform a click on a File and select Run a new task from there.
• Once a dialog flashes, type cmd in the textbox.
• Moving ahead, check the box saying “Create this task with administrative privileges”
• Hit Enter and you will be guided to Elevated Command Prompt window straight away.
• While in the dark window, type following command at the blinking cursor-

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

• Press Enter key now to activate the disk checking tool. Usually the tool powers up by the command “chkdsk” only. Here we have added a few extra characters. They describe-
  • The parameter f directs utility to fix the errors that it will discover on the volume.
  • Notation r instructs CHKDSK to trace out the poor sections in the volume and retrieve the readable data.
  • x represents splitting the volume to dismount before the commencement of the process.
  • C: the drive where we have installed the Operating System. This a variable one. You can replace with D:, E: based on usage.
• This process might take a little longer to finish up. Do not forcibly terminate and let it end normally.
• When the process ends, restart the device and when returning back, check if there is any BSOD error in the system.

10: Delete the Windows Update Files falling into abnormal termination

Windows Update procedure done through the Settings app is an autonomous one and usually doesn’t fall into disruption. If it happens to terminate at the midway while downloading or installation, can cause DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen in Windows 10. In such cases, these files need to be removed immediately from the system. Here are the guidelines you should move on –

Step#1: Move the cursor to the bottom left corner and do a click on the Start menu.

Step#2: Upon opening it, hit a click in Gear icon and launch Windows Settings app eventually.

Step#3: Move ahead to the Update & security area and in due course, make a click on the tile.

Step#4: Once the succeeding page loads completely, select Windows Update located at the left overlay.

Step#5: Jumping ahead to the alternate pane, perform a click on the View update history link.

Step#6: Proceeding to the next page, select Uninstall updates link available here.

Step#7: By default, Installed Updates page will hit on display.

Step#8: Reach out to the last received patch in the list and select it eventually.

Step#9: Hit Uninstall option visible at the top ribbon to start removing.

Step#10: Keep following guidelines shown to delete them completely.

11: Free Up space in System by cleaning unnecessary junks

Junk files are unnecessary and they keep on piling up in the Disk space. When deposited in a large amount can occupy huge disk storage and in due course, it runs in low space. The immediate result is slower operation and BSOD error. Disk Cleanup utility can be deployed to clear up these junks and make some additional space in the disk. Here is how to accomplish the task –

• Do a right click on the Start menu taking pointer near to it.
• Select Run and invoke the dialog in the display.
• In the provided text box, type cleanmgr and choose Ok option beneath.
• Disk Cleanup utility will pass forward a small dialog box asking where to run the Cleanup.
• Choose C: by clicking the dropdown menu and also press Enter key.
• Disk Cleanup will start action initially with calculating recoverable space in the drive and upon finishing show up in the wizard.
• From the next wizard appearing, move down and select Clean up system files option.

• The small popup will float up again asking for a preferable drive. Select the same drive and hit Ok.
• When Disk Cleanup for (C:) show up in wizard after calculating retrievable space in system files, move down straight to Files to delete section.
• Here, mark all the checkboxes leaving Downloads untouched.
• Finally, hit the Ok button located bottom of the current wizard to initiate cleaning up.
• The process will take time, please wait until it finishes completely.
• When ends the process, restart Windows and when sigh back to desktop later, see if the error is resolved.

Note- Before starting the deleting process, check the Recycle Bin for any restorable items to avoid losing it. If there is any, restore in the respective location.

12: Run “Deployment Image Servicing and Management” (DISM) tool and resolve defective Windows Image files

Dreadful Windows Image files cause the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen error very often. DISM tool comes handy to resolve this case. The procedure is as following –

• Get entrance to the Elevated Command Prompt using guidelines provided before.
• When in the dark window, type following command at the base of the blinking cursor-

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

• Hit the Enter key and let the DISM tool to detect the problematic Windows image files. Upon finishing the process, fixing will start immediately.
• When the whole process comes to an end, restart the device.
• Upon coming back to the desktop, check if there is any BSOD error in the system.

13: Perform System Restore to Fix DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Changes in Windows like installing a program or uninstalling another causes registry to be modified. In case something turns out in the wrong way can cause DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen as well. You can skip this issue easily using System Restore and get back to an earlier state. In case of lacking such previously created restore points, you can leave this workaround. If you have one, move with the below proceedings –

• Press “Win logo+R” hotkeys combined to open the Run dialog box.
• When the dialog is upfront, type rstrui in the empty typing area.
• Hit Enter key and let System Restore wizard to hit on display.
• Select the Next button from appearing wizard to proceed forward.
• From consequent page prior to opening, do a click on Show more restore points.
• This will reveal all the previous points you have created before.
• Choose the last one and hit Next again.
• Once the succeeding page loads, select Finish and start the restoring process.

14: Repair the Windows System Components and recover missing DLL files

Defective Windows system elements, as well as missing DLL files, play a major role in causing DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen error. System File Checker is a handy utility that can deal with it the best. To access the tool, use the below guidelines –

• Invoke the Taskbar Search pressing Windows and S keys together.
• Fill the blank text field with “cmd.exe” and let the results to load. When Command Prompt shows up, do a right click on it. Select Run as Administrator option to move ahead.
• Select Yes to give consent when UAC asks for permission.
• After shifting to the Elevated Command Prompt window, type following command at winking cursor. When you hit the Enter key, the System File Checker begins its action. The utility will detect missing DLL file and corrupted system resources eventually fix them automatically.

Sfc /scannow

This process will consume little lengthy time, wait until it gets over normally. Once it ends successfully, reboot the device and upon signing back in, check for DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen in Windows 10

15: Resolve the Memory issues and RAM problems

Windows system with dreadful areas in the RAM as well as memory issues is prone to get affected with DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen easily. To rectify these problems, Windows Memory Diagnostic will be helpful. Here is how to use the utility –

• Launch the Windows Settings app first using any convenient method discussed above.
• When the Search box comes to your view in the app UI, type “memory” in it.
• Select “Diagnose your computer’s memory problems” after being visible in results.
• When the tool shows up, select “Restart now and check for problems (recommended)” from here.

• Windows will reboot with the command and after signing back in, a blue screen will appear in the desktop.
• This will detect and fix memory problems. When the progress hits 100%, Windows will again restart automatically.
• After coming back to operation, you can see the report of diagnosis in the notification area of System Tray.

16: Uninstall Third Party Anti-malware programs

As Windows Security is a default program to deal with malware issues, you don’t really need a third party Anti-malware program in the system. Furthermore, using them can be deadly sometimes as often they cause DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD Windows 10. Uninstalling will be a best-suited option and you can accomplish the task using the following instructions –

• Open the Run dialog and type appwiz.cpl in the empty search box.
• Hit Enter key to open up Programs and Features Window.
• Moving ahead to the new window, reach to third-party Anti-malware programs in the list of installed apps.
• Do a right click on each and select the Uninstall option.
• If UAC prompts for permission, hit Yes to continue.
• Follow the on display instructions until it gets uninstalled completely.

Till now, we have elaborated almost all the effective resolutions hoping to resolve DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error Blue Screen in Windows 10. If you have fixed the issue completely, can work smoothly from now. Some of you might not succeed to resolve in worst cases. In that scenario, you can perform a clean reinstalling of Windows 10. Doing so, there will be no more issues evolving next.

Before proceeding to the Clean Installation of Windows, manage to get connected with a high-speed internet connection. Use Ethernet cable or Wi-Wi for this purpose, this will shorten the time consumption. Secondly, save a backup for all necessary items in a USB or additional hard drive and take them out to avoid loss later on. If you are a beginner, ask help from professionals to accomplish the task. Hope this time you can succeed.

Methods:
1: Forbid Windows From Restarting Automatically
2: Boot the Device in Safe Mode
3: Use Windows Device Manager for updating outdated drivers
4: Install all available update patches
5: Use Windows Security for resolving Malware issues
6: Run the Windows BSOD Troubleshooter
7: Remove similar apps
8: Disconnect the External Hard Disk and DVD drive
9: Resolve the Poor areas of Hard Disk using Disk Checking Tool
10: Delete the Windows Update Files
11: Free Up space in System by cleaning unnecessary junks
12: Run “Deployment Image Servicing and Management” (DISM) tool
13: Perform System Restore
14: Repair the Windows System Components and recover missing DLL files
15: Resolve the Memory issues
16: Uninstall Third Party Anti-malware programs

That’s all!!