Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal Blue screen error usually means the Installed Device driver is unable to communicate with the specific hardware device or your network driver uses an incorrect memory address. This error also may occur when your Windows 10 system files like mfewfpk.sys, Epfwwfp.sys, ndis.sys, kbdclass.sys, storahci.sys and including the ndistpr64.sys gets corrupted or damaged. You may encounter this blue screen error while the computer attempts to boot or perform a task that involves and invalid driver installation. This article explores the reason behind, driver_irql_not_less_or_equal Error In Windows 10 and solutions to troubleshoot the problem.
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Driver Irql Not Less Or Equal on Windows 10
Windows 10 blue screen errors may occur due to both hardware and software problems. And Outdated or Incompatible Drivers, problems with Windows system files, Malicious problems or Malware infections or buggy Windows updates are some common reasons trigger driver_irql_not_less_or_equal error on Windows 10.
And to fix things you need to update the installed driver and run sfc scan to repair corrupt system files. If the system restarts frequently can start Windows 10 in safe mode to perform troubleshooting steps.
Remove External Devices
Sometimes, external devices like USB drives, printers, or external hard drives can cause conflicts with drivers, leading to the “Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal” error.
Let’s first remove these external devices and restart Windows 10. This will help you determine if one of them is the cause of the issue. If the error stops occurring after removing an external device, you can try connecting the devices one by one to identify the specific problematic device.
Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows that loads the operating system with only essential drivers and services. It disables unnecessary programs and drivers, allowing you to troubleshoot and identify the cause of various system issues, including the “Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal” error. If due to this blue screen error windows 10 restarts frequently, start your PC in safe mode helpful.
Here are different ways to start Windows 10 in safe mode.
Update your Device drivers
Outdated or incompatible drivers are a common cause of this blue screen error. When a driver is not up-to-date or is not compatible with the version of Windows 10 you are using, it can lead to conflicts with other drivers or the operating system, resulting in the “Driver_irql_not_less_or_equal” error on Windows 10.
To prevent the “Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal” blue screen error and maintain the stability of your system, it’s essential to keep your device drivers up to date.
How to update a device driver using Device Manager:
Right-click on the “Start” button and select “Device Manager” from the menu. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + X and then press M
In the Device Manager window, you’ll see a list of hardware categories. Find the category that corresponds to the device you want to update. For example, if you want to update your graphics card driver, look for the “Display adapters” category.
lick the arrow next to the category to expand it and Right-click on the specific device you want to update. From the context menu, select “Update driver.”
- Search automatically for updated driver software: This option allows Windows to search for the latest driver software online and install it automatically.
- Browse my computer for driver software: This option lets you manually browse and select the driver software that you downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
Select the first option and let Windows search for the latest driver online and install it if it finds one. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Also, you can Visit the website of the manufacturer for each hardware component (e.g., graphics card, network adapter) and look for the latest driver updates compatible with your version of Windows.
There are third-party driver update software that can scan your system, detect outdated drivers, and automatically update them.
Check for Windows Updates
Microsoft regularly releases updates and patches to improve system stability, security, and compatibility. These updates often include bug fixes, driver updates, and other enhancements that can address known issues, including driver-related problems that cause the “Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal” BSOD error.
Ensure your Windows 10 is up to date with the latest updates
To check for updates:
- Press the Windows key + X and select “Settings”
- Go to “Update & Security” then “Windows Update” and click on “Check for updates.”
- This will check for available updates, and install them, you only need to reboot your PC to apply the updates.
Check for System File Corruption
When system files are corrupted, it can lead to instability in the operating system, driver conflicts, and other errors that result in the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM restore health tool to scan and repair corrupted files on Windows 10.
Open Command Prompt as administrator by searching “cmd” in the Windows search bar, right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.”
- In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
- The tool will scan and attempt to repair any corrupted files.
- Next, run the DISM command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to check the Windows system image and repair any issues if found.
- Once the scanning process completes 100%, reboot your PC.
By running both the SFC and DISM scans, you increase the chances of resolving the “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error caused by corrupted system files or problems with the Windows system image.
Perform System Restore
If the error started occurring after a recent change or update, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous stable state. System Restore allows you to revert your computer’s state to a previous point in time when it was functioning correctly, effectively undoing any changes that might have caused the error.
- Type “System Restore” in the Windows search bar and open Recovery.
- Click on open system restore and Follow the instructions to choose a restore point from before the error started and proceed with the restoration.
Test Hardware Components
Faulty hardware components, such as RAM or hard drives, can also trigger this error. To check your hardware, follow these steps:
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for memory issues:
- Press “Win + R,” type “mdsched.exe,” and press Enter.
- Select the first option “Restart now and check for problems” and Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the memory test.
Alternatively, you can use third-party memory testing software like MemTest86 to perform a more thorough memory test.
Check for disk errors using the built-in Windows Check Disk utility (CHKDSK).
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type chkdsk C: /f (replace C: with the appropriate drive letter) to scan and repair disk errors.
Also, you can use third-party tools like CrystalDiskInfo to check the health of your hard drives. Replace any faulty hardware if detected.
Disconnect any recently added external devices (e.g., USB devices, printers, etc.) and see if the error persists.
Scan for Malware
Malicious software can interfere with drivers and cause errors like “Driver IRQL Not Less or Equal.” Perform a full system scan using a reliable antivirus or anti-malware software. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date and perform a thorough scan of your entire system.