How to Fix DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error | 10 Ways on Windows 11/10

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is an error that appears on a blue screen with a stop code of 0x000000D1. This Windows error typically occurs when an inbuilt system driver, especially a network adapter, uses an incorrect memory address while performing a task. Apart from this, the error can also be caused by various other reasons:

• Damaged system files
• Faulty system hardware and software
• Memory issues
• Antivirus software
• Viruses and malware
• Errors and vulnerabilities within the system

So, if you're also getting the 'DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL' error on your Windows system, we're here to help. This tutorial will explain how to fix the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error. Read on and learn how to resolve it.

Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

How to recover data when encountering the error 'DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL'?

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is a severe blue screen error that can lead to data loss. Or, you might encounter other blue screen errors like the Windows Stop Code 0xc000021a. If this issue happens due to this error and you want to recover all your data to a Windows computer, then you can use the Data Recovery Wizard tool for assistance.

Data Recovery Wizard is a tool designed to help you retrieve lost files from Windows 10 or 11 due to accidental deletion, wrongly formatted partitions, sudden system crashes, or malware attacks. Its standout feature is its ability to recover all types of files, such as images, documents, videos, audio files, archives, and emails. Furthermore, it enables you to recover data from unbootable hard drives.

If your pictures and videos get corrupted while fixing this blue screen error, you can easily repair them using the Data Recovery Wizard tool. So, check out the instructions below to learn how to recover lost or deleted files with our utility:

Step 1: Install and run the tool – Data Recovery Wizard

Download and install the recovery software from its official website, and then launch it on your computer or laptop.

Step 2: Scan and select the files you want to recover

Select the hard drive or partition where the deleted files were located, and click “Scan.” After the scan is finished, preview and select the deleted files you wish to recover.

Step 3: Select the location from where you wish to recover the deleted files

Click "Recover," choose a location to save the retrieved files (ideally, another hard drive), and hit "OK." Review the recovered files in the specified folder.

Don't forget to share this page on your social media so you can easily find it again!

How to Fix DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error [10 Ways]

Here are some effective methods to fix the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error in Windows. You can find detailed tutorials for each method:

Method 1: Check Your Computer's Hardware and Software

One of the most common reasons for the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error is issues with your computer's hardware and the programs installed on it. We recommend that you check your system's RAM sticks to ensure they are in perfect condition and properly connected. You can also try gently cleaning the RAM sticks with a dry cloth.

Also try disconnecting all external devices, such as USB drives, hard drives, printers, and so on, and then restart your system to see if one of them was the culprit.

If you started seeing this BSOD error after installing a program on your system, make sure that the program is compatible with your current Windows 11/10 setup. If you're unsure about this, uninstall it.

Method 2: Uninstall the Network Driver Through Device Manager

Since outdated network drivers can also be the reason behind this BSOD error, we recommend that you reinstall them. This will eliminate any issues and glitches with the network driver, thus resolving the error. We've mentioned the steps to uninstall network drivers in Windows 11/10 below:

Step 1: Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the “Run” program on your system.

<Step 2> Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box and press Enter to open Device Manager.

Use "Run" to open Device Manager

Step 3: Double-click “Network adapters” to expand it.

Right-click the network connection in the Network Adapters section.

Step 5: Select “Uninstall device” from the menu to remove it from the system.

Right-click the network adapter you want to uninstall.

Step 6. Press Alt + F4, select Restart in the 'Shut Down Windows' prompt, and hit Enter to restart Windows 11/10 and reinstall the driver.

Method 3: Update, uninstall, or reinstall device drivers

The "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error might also be caused by an issue with a system driver. To check if a system driver is causing this problem, we recommend updating and reinstalling all your system drivers. Please follow these steps to try and resolve the issue:

Update drivers:

Step 1. Open the Device Manager utility on your Windows system using your preferred method.

Step 2: Expand any section in Device Manager, and then right-click on any driver.

Step three: From the drop-down menu, choose “Update Driver,” and then, in the next window, select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

Step 4: Let the system search for any available driver updates, hoping that this will fix the problem.

Update Network Driver

Reinstall the driver:

Step 1: Right-click on the system driver and select “Uninstall device” from the context menu.

Step 2: After the uninstallation, click “Action” from the top menu, and then choose “Scan for hardware changes” from the drop-down menu to reinstall it on your system.

Method 4: Repair Drivers with the Scannow Command

It could be that some critical system files in your Windows are corrupted, leading to this blue screen error. In such a case, we recommend running the SFC Scannow command to repair Windows 11 and any damaged system files. You can follow these steps to proceed:

Step one: Hit the Windows key, type Command Prompt, and press Enter.

Step 2. From the search results, choose “Run as administrator” to open it with administrative privileges.

3. Type the command sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt to start the SFC scan.

Step 4. Wait for the SFC scan to finish. Afterward, restart your system and check the status of the issue. You can learn more about fixing drive errors in the following paragraphs:

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

 

Solving: 'Restart to Repair Drive Error' on Windows 10

Have you encountered the 'Restart to Repair Drive Error' on Windows 10 or Windows 11? Read More >>

Method 5: Repair Driver Issues with the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

The "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error can also be caused by system RAM or memory issues. In this case, we recommend using the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to fix any RAM errors and see if that resolves the problem.

Please run the Memory Diagnostics tool on your Windows computer by following the instructions listed below:

Step 1: Press Windows + S to open the Windows Search, then type in Memory Diagnostic.

Step 2: Select “Windows Memory Diagnostic” from the “Best match” section of the search results to open it.

Step 3: Click “Restart now and check for problems” in the Windows Memory Diagnostic window.

Step 4: Your system will then restart, and run two scans to try to fix any RAM issues it finds.

Method 6: Remove Computer Viruses and Malware

Another effective way to fix this BSOD error is by running a quick virus scan on your Windows PC. This is because malware and viruses on the system can also cause this BSOD error. You can try the following steps to run a quick virus scan on your Windows PC:

Step 1: Open the Windows search box, type Virus & threat protection, and select it from the search results.

Step 2: In the next window, click on the Quick Scan button to start the antivirus scan for malicious files.

Click "Quick Scan."

Step 3. After the scan is complete, check if any suspicious files were found. If there are, remove them from your system as instructed on the screen. To learn more about how to remove viruses without antivirus software, read the article below:

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

 

How to Remove and Get Rid of a Virus Without Antivirus Software

This tutorial shows how to delete a virus from a laptop without using antivirus software. Learn More >>

Method 7: Update the Windows operating system

Microsoft advises users to update their Windows 11/10 PCs or laptops to avoid these blue screen errors. Therefore, we recommend checking if your system is up to date. If not, update it to fix any bugs in the system. By the way, you should back up important data first. If you lose data without a backup, you can use the Data Recovery Wizard tool to recover lost files after a Windows 11 update.

Please try these steps and see if they have the same effect:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your system, and then select Windows Update from the left pane.

Step 2: Click the “Check for updates” button at the top to search for the latest updates for your current OS build.

If any updates are available, click the Download and Install All Updates button to install them.

Step 4: When you're done, click “Advanced options” under “More options.”

Step 5: Click on “Optional updates” in the “Other options” area to view optional updates.

Step 6: Check the box next to any driver updates under the Driver Updates section.

Step 7: Click “Download and install” to download and install all optional updates.

After that, restart your system and check if the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error is gone. Feel free to share this page with more users to help them fix the issue as well.

Method 8: Use the Windows “Get Help” Utility

Windows includes a built-in "Get Help" app that can assist you in finding solutions to Windows issues. If the problem persists, we recommend using your device's built-in "Get Help" app to fix the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" issue. Follow these steps to learn how to address the problem using the "Get Help" app on your system:

Step 1. On your Windows system, open the Get Help app using the Windows search box.

2. Type fix blue screen errors in the Search the web and Windows box, and press Enter.

Step 3: You will now be asked some questions to help us resolve this error.

Method 9: Use System Restore

If the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error persists, try to restore your computer to an earlier date. If you have created a System Restore Point, follow the steps below to return to that point and fix the issue:

Step 1: Open the Windows search bar, type "Create a restore point," and click on the corresponding option in the search results.

Step 2: Under System Restore, click the Restore my computer to an earlier time button and then click Next >.

Step 3: Choose the restore point you want to revert to, and click "Next >."

Step 4: Click "Finish" to restore your computer to the selected system restore point.

Please check the following paragraph for resolving issues with initializing System Restore on Windows:

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

 

6 Ways to Fix System Restore Initializing Issue in Windows 11/10

Sometimes, when you try to restore your computer, System Restore might get stuck and display "System Restore is initializing" on the screen. Read More >>

Method 10: Reset Your Windows Operating System

You can also fix the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error by resetting your system, which will revert your settings to default.

Furthermore, you need to wipe all data from the system to ensure that there's nothing within it that could be causing this issue. Please follow these steps to reset your computer:

Step 1: On your Windows 11 PC, open the Settings app and go to the Recovery section.

2. In the Recovery window, under Recovery Options, click the Reset this PC button.

The sentence for translation into American English is: "".

Step 3: In the “Choose an option” window, select “Erase all content and settings,” then tap “Download from cloud.”

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your system.

If you're looking to recover lost files after resetting your Windows to factory settings, you can refer to this page:

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

 

How to Recover Files After a Windows 10/11 Factory Reset

How to recover files after a Windows 10 factory reset? You can restore files after a factory reset on Windows 10 or Windows 11. Read More>>

Abstract

You're peacefully using your operating system when, out of the blue, it crashes, and you're greeted with the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error. We understand how frustrating it can be to encounter this error while working. In this troubleshooting guide, we share several viable solutions to fix this issue.

Hopefully, this guide will help you fix the error without losing any data. If some stored data got lost in the process, consider using Data Recovery Wizard to get it back.

Frequently Asked Questions about "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" 1. What is the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error? "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" is a blue screen error reported by the Windows operating system, typically indicating that a driver has performed an illegal operation at an incorrect Interrupt Request Level (IRQL). 2. What causes this error? This error usually occurs when a device driver encounters issues while handling memory, such as attempting to access freed memory or running in the wrong thread context. It can also be due to a conflict between the driver and the system or another driver. 3. How do I identify the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error? The error will appear as a blue screen with the error code 0x000000D1, and it might also provide the name of the driver that caused the error. 4. How can I fix this problem? - Update drivers: Start by checking and updating the device drivers that might be causing the issue, especially recently installed or updated ones. - System Restore: If the problem appeared after installing specific software or updates, try performing a system restore to a point before the issue occurred. - Check hardware: Sometimes faulty or incompatible hardware can cause this error; ensure all hardware is functioning correctly and is compatible with your system. - Scan for viruses: Malware or viruses can affect drivers, so run a full virus scan. - Install Windows updates: Keep your system and drivers up-to-date to fix potential security vulnerabilities. - If none of these methods work, you may need professional assistance for further diagnosis and repair. 5. Can I prevent "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" errors? Regularly updating your operating system, drivers, and antivirus software, avoiding installing software from untrusted sources, and maintaining good hardware maintenance can help prevent such errors.

There are many questions surrounding the “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error on Windows. Therefore, we have answered some common queries about this error in this section. Read through the mentioned questions to get a detailed understanding of this Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) issue:

How do I fix a Kernel Mode Heap Corruption error?

A simple fix for a kernel mode heap corruption error is to repair damaged system files by running an SFC scan from the Command Prompt. You can also try to eliminate all errors and glitches by updating all your system drivers to their latest versions.

"DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" is a blue screen error code in the Windows operating system, indicating that a driver attempted to access a memory resource with an incorrect Interrupt Request Level (IRQL) during execution. Specifically, it means the driver tried to call a function or operation at an IRQL that's too high, which violates Windows' rules for thread scheduling and interrupt handling. This error is typically associated with issues in hardware drivers and might require updating, rolling back, or uninstalling the problematic driver to resolve the issue.

"DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" indicates that there is an issue with one of your system drivers, particularly related to your network adapter, RAM failure, hardware problems, or antivirus application. Fortunately, this issue can often be resolved through troubleshooting, updating, or reinstalling network drivers, among other methods.

How do I fix the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error on Windows 11?

One effective way to address the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL issue on Windows 11 is to reinstall and update the network adapter on your system. You can also try running an SFC (System File Checker) scan on your Windows PC, as corrupted system files can lead to this error.

4. Can data be recovered from a blue-screened computer?

You can use third-party data recovery tools to retrieve data from a Windows computer affected by a blue screen. There are numerous excellent data recovery tools available to accomplish this. With utilities like Data Recovery Wizard, you can recover various types of files, such as images, videos, documents, audio files, archives, and others.