stop code irql_not_less_or_equal error (10 Solutions) 2024

This error usually occurs when a kernel-mode process or driver attempts to access a memory address with a higher Interrupt Request Level (IRQL) than permitted.

Windows blue screen errors can be caused by both hardware and software issues. You may experience system crashes with Driver irql not less or equal error after Windows 10 update or add a new hardware device. This error irql_not_less_or_equal on Windows PC usually arises due to issues with the drivers, but in some cases, the problematic memory also triggers it. Corrupt System Files, Faulty Hardware Items or Incompatible Device Drivers are common reasons for this. In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of irql not less or equal error with practical solutions to fix it on Windows PC.

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What is IRQL not less or equal error?

The Stop code IRQL” stands for Interrupt Request Level, which refers to the priority level of hardware interrupts. “NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” indicates that something tried to access a memory address while the system expected it to be less than or equal to another value. In short this error indicates that a kernel-mode process or driver attempted to access a memory address that it did not have permission to access or that is invalid.

There are several potential reasons behind this irql_not_less_or_equal on Windows 10 Outdated or incompatible drivers, hardware conflicts, faulty RAM modules, or even system file corruption are common.

  • Issues with RAM, hard drives, or other hardware components can lead to memory access errors.
  • Drivers that are incompatible with the operating system version or other installed drivers can cause conflicts and lead to this error.
  • Overclocking hardware, such as CPU or RAM, beyond its recommended limits can lead to instability and trigger this error.
  • Corruption in Windows system files due to malware, improper shutdowns, or other reasons can also cause this error.
  • Conflicts between different software applications or services running on the system can lead to memory access violations.

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Disconnect external devices and Restart Windows

Whenever you encounter blue screen error, the first thing we recommend is disconnecting external devices such as USB flash drives, external HDD, printer etc and reboot Windows. External devices can sometimes introduce conflicts with system processes or drivers, leading to the “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error. Disconnecting these devices eliminates potential sources of conflict and allows the system to boot without interference, helping to identify if any external device is causing the error.

  • Turn off your computer completely.
  • Disconnect any external devices such as USB drives, printers, or external hard drives from your computer.
  • Once all external devices are disconnected, restart your computer and check if this help fix the blue screen error.

Start Windows 10 safe mode boot

Safe Mode allows your system to boot with only essential drivers and services, which can help isolate and identify any problematic drivers causing the error. If due to this blue screen error computer restarts frequently starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode can be a helpful step in troubleshooting and fixing the “DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error.

Safe mode boots the Windows operating system without unnecessary and faulty drivers and software. So Once you have entered safe mode you are on the correct platform to fix Driver irql_less_or_not_equal Windows 10.

To start your Windows 10 computer in Safe Mode:

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  • Click on the Windows key and the power icon, Now hold the Shift key on keyboard the and select Restart.
  • Next on the “Choose an option” screen, Select “Troubleshoot.”

Choose troubleshoot option

  • In the Troubleshoot menu, select “Advanced options” and then choose “Startup Settings.”
  • Now Click on the “Restart” button. This will restart your computer and present you with various startup options.

Press F4 to start your computer in safe mode, the F5 option to enable internet access on safe mode.

windows 10 safe mode types

Run the Memory Diagnostic tool

Memory issues, such as faulty RAM or memory corruption, can trigger variety of errors, including the irql_not_less_or_equal” BSOD. Windows 10 includes a built-in tool called Windows Memory Diagnostic that can help you identify and fix memory-related issues. Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a built-in feature in Windows 10 to check your computer’s RAM for potential issues.

Resolving memory issues can eliminate one of the common triggers for the error.

  • Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe and click ok
  • Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will promptly appear on the desktop
  • Select the first one “Restart now and check for problems” and allow your computer to reboot.

Memory Diagnostic Tool

  • As the PC restarts, it will thoroughly check the RAM and show you the real-time status.

It scans the memory modules and detects any errors or problems that may be causing system instability, including the occurrence of the “DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error.

Run memory diagnostic test

This process may take some time, depending on the size of your RAM. Once the scan is complete, your computer will restart again, and you’ll see the results of the memory test.

If Memory Diagnostic returns with an error it indicates that the issue resides in your RAM and you need to change it.

Update Device Drivers on Windows 10

Outdated or incompatible drivers are the primary cause of the “DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error as they can conflict with the operating system and other hardware components. Updating device drivers ensures compatibility with the latest Windows updates and resolves known issues or bugs that could be triggering the error.

  • Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
  • This will list all devices and peripherals connected to your computer.
  • Expand the categories to find the devices you want to update drivers for (e.g., Display adapters for graphics cards, Network adapters for network cards).
  • Right-click on the device (for example Graphics driver) and select “Update driver” from the context menu.

search automatically for updated driver software

  • Select the option to search automatically for updated driver software, this will scan your computer and the internet for the latest drivers.
  • If any updates are found, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

In the same way, you can update the Display Driver, Audio driver and driver for the Network adapter.

Also, you can visit the Device manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver versions compatible with your Windows 10 version and install.

Alternatively, you can use dedicated driver update software that automates the process, such as Driver Booster or Driver Easy. These tools scan your system, identify outdated drivers, and provide one-click solutions to update them.

By ensuring all drivers are up to date, you minimize the risk of driver-related conflicts and improve system stability.

Rollback when the issue occurs after updating driver

Many times, getting the update of a device driver becomes a root factor for this Blue screen issue. In case, this is also a situation with you then roll back the driver to uninstall the update.

rollback camera app driver

Reinstall IRST or Intel Rapid Storage Technology Drivers

Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) is responsible for managing storage devices, including hard drives and solid state drives, and reinstalling its drivers can address any driver-related issues that might be causing the “DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error.

  • Press Windows + R keyboard shortcut, type devmgmt.msc and click ok
  • This will open the Device Manager for you.
  • Now, click on the entry labeled as IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and expand it.
  • Then, right-click on all the driver entries labeled appropriately and click on the Uninstall device.
  • Restart your computer to check if the issue is fixed or not.

Also, visit the official Intel website or your computer manufacturer’s support website to download and install the latest IRST drivers for your specific hardware model and Windows 10 version.

Disable Write Caching Policy on the Device

Write caching is a feature that allows the operating system to store data temporarily in the cache before writing it to the disk, which can enhance performance. However, conflicts or compatibility issues with the write caching policy can sometimes lead  irql_not_less_or_equal error. So you must disable it to fix the issue.

  • Open the device manager and locate Disk drives
  • Double-click on Disk drives to expand it.
  • Right-click on the driver under disk drives and select “Properties” from the context menu.
  • Navigate to the “Policies” tab, uncheck the option Enable write caching on the device and lastly click OK.

Disable Write Caching Policy

Repair corrupted system files

If for some reason essential system files become corrupted or damaged, it can lead to various issues, including DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” on Windows 10. If the above solutions didn’t fix the problem, you need to check and repair corrupted system files using the System File Checker (SFC) tool.

  • Press Windows key + S and type cmd, right-click on the command prompt select run as administrator,
  • Now type the command sfc /scannow and press enter key

System file checker windows 10

  • The SFC tool will start scanning your system for corrupted files and attempt to repair them. This process may take some time to complete.
  • Once the scan is finished, Restart your computer and check if this help fix the windows 10 blue screen error.

Update Windows 10

Windows updates often include patches and bug fixes for known issues, including those that could be causing the “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error. Installing the latest Windows updates ensures your system is running the most stable and secure version of the operating system, reducing the likelihood of encountering the error due to unresolved issues or vulnerabilities.

  • Right-click on the start menu then select settings,
  • Go to Update & Security then Windows Update,
  • Now click the Check for updates button to allow download and install Windows updates from the Microsoft server.
  • Once done restart your PC to apply the updates.
  • Hopefully, your PC will start normally.

Check for updates

Check disk drive for Errors

Disk errors, such as bad sectors or file system corruption, can disrupt the normal operation of the operating system and trigger the “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error. Running the chkdsk utility helps identify and repair disk errors, restoring the integrity of the disk and preventing further errors caused by disk-related issues.

  • Press the Windows key and type “cmd” in the search bar, Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
  • Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter, If your system drive is in use, you’ll be prompted to schedule the disk check for the next time you restart your computer. Type “Y” and press Enter.
  • Restart your computer, and the disk check will start automatically before the operating system loads.
  • Allow the chkdsk utility to scan and fix any disk errors. This process may take some time.

check disk errors

 

System Restore

If either of the above solutions is ineffective then System Restore is the best option for you. System Restore will help you send your computer to an earlier date and time when it was running perfectly. All you need to choose a correct restore point (date and time) before starting the process.

  • Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe and click ok,
  • This will open the system restore wizard click next,
  • Select a suitable date and time from the window and again select Next.
  • Note that you can Scan for affected programs which will provide you extra restore points.
  • Finally, click on Finish to start restoring and leave your PC for few minutes. It will restart with a fresh Windows 10 screen.

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