How to fix ntoskrnl.exe and wdf01000.sys IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL windows 11 BSOD

Question

as the title says, i keep having multiple BSODs over the past week.. im at a loss for solutions

Answer 1

Hi JT

To fix the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error caused by the "ntoskrnl.exe" and "wdf01000.sys" files in Windows 11, you can try the following solutions:

1. Update Windows 11: Ensure that your operating system is up to date by installing the latest Windows updates. Microsoft often releases patches and fixes for known issues that can cause BSOD errors.
2. Update Device Drivers: Outdated or incompatible drivers can trigger BSOD errors. Visit the manufacturer's website for each of your hardware components (such as motherboard, graphics card, network adapter) and download the latest drivers compatible with Windows 11. Install them and restart your computer.
3. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic: Faulty RAM modules can lead to BSOD errors. Windows includes a built-in memory diagnostic tool that can help identify and resolve memory-related issues. To access it, follow these steps:
   • Press Win + R, type "mdsched.exe", and hit Enter.
   • Choose the option to restart your computer and run the memory diagnostic tool.
   • Let the tool perform a thorough scan of your RAM for any errors. If it detects any problems, you may need to replace the faulty RAM module.
4. Check for Disk Errors: Corrupted system files or bad sectors on your hard drive can cause BSOD errors. Use the built-in Windows Disk Check utility to scan and fix disk errors. Here's how:
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Type "chkdsk C: /f /r" (replace "C:" with the drive letter where your Windows is installed) and press Enter.
   • You'll be prompted to schedule a disk check on the next system restart. Type "Y" and press Enter.
   • Restart your computer, and the disk check will begin. Allow it to complete.
5. Disable Overclocking: If you have overclocked your CPU, GPU, or RAM, revert the settings to their default values. Overclocking can cause system instability, leading to BSOD errors.
6. Perform a Clean Boot: Sometimes, third-party software or services can conflict with the operating system, resulting in BSOD errors. Perform a clean boot to start your system with minimal drivers and services running. Here's how:
   • Press Win + R, type "msconfig," and hit Enter.
   • In the System Configuration window, go to the "Services" tab and check the "Hide all Microsoft services" box.
   • Click "Disable all" to disable third-party services.
   • Switch to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager."
   • In the Task Manager, disable all startup programs.
   • Close the Task Manager and click "OK" in the System Configuration window.
   • Restart your computer.

clean boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

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Answer 2

Hello,

I see that you're having an issue with the Blue Screen. The "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error in Windows 11 is somehow related to the "ntoskrnl.exe" and "wdf01000.sys" files.

For us to fix this, here are some few steps:

1. Update your drivers to their latest versions, especially focusing on the graphics card, network adapter, and chipset drivers.
2. Check for Windows updates through Settings.
3. Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus or antimalware program to detect and remove any malware present on your system.
4. Check your RAM. To do so, you can use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. Search for "Windows Memory Diagnostic" in the Start menu and follow the instructions to perform a memory test. If any errors are detected, you may need to replace the faulty RAM module.
5. Perform a clean boot.
6. Check hardware components: Hardware issues can also cause the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error.

If all else fails, I recommend performing an in-place upgrade process. This is a repair installation process that will repair your Windows system and at the same time fix all the possible corruptions and complete missing components - that could cause the issue. You may watch this video for the steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAOwN68AInE

Let me know if you had issues with the steps or need further assistance in case the issue persists. Don't forget to mention the results after the steps given above. Thank you!

Regards,