BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (a) how to identify the problem device driver from minidump?

Question

Hello Microsoft tech luminaries.

Recently have been getting random BSOD. Sometimes a few mins after boot, other times after an hour or so. Heavy workload does not seem to trigger it, in fact it seems to occur less under load and more when the system is doing little !?

Using WinDbg on the minidumps, I see that most of the causes are IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.

One says PROCESS_NAME: explorer.exe, IMAGE_NAME: ntkrnlmp.exe.

Another says PROCESS_NAME: SearchIndexer, IMAGE_NAME: ntkrnlmp.exe.

Advice says this is usually caused by a dodgy device driver, but I don't know how to determine the failing device driver from the minidumps. Can someone advise how to do this please?

I have updated all the device drivers I can find, and the motherboard BIOS firmware also.

Have also run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /restorehealth and sfc /scannow

Thanx, Pum.

Answer 1

You are always welcome, and I hope it will all be good after the troubleshooting steps above.

Answer 2

Hi, thank you for patiently waiting. As per checking and analyzing the DMP file you have, there is an error in nvlddmkm.sys, which is your Nvidia graphics card driver. To fix the issue, kindly follow the steps below:

 

Let us run a clean installation of the Nvidia driver. This differs from performing DDU or updating the driver, as it will remove all existing entries and replace them with compatible ones. Kindly follow the steps from the link below:

 

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10/~/geforce-experience-driver-installation-failed.-how-do-i-manually-clean-install#:~:text=%20How%20do%20I%20manually%20clean%20install%20the,installation%20process%2C%20close%20any%20programs%20which...%20More%20

 

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

 

Additional note: If the issue persists, I suggest removing the GPU and placing it into another PCIe port available (This is applicable if you are using a Desktop PC or an external GPU), However, if all fails, I suggest contacting a local technician to physically check the device for any hardware-related issues.

Answer 3

Hi, thank you for that information. However, can you further check if you have more Minidump files on the PC? As per checking the Minidump file, it is only displaying general errors. In addition, can you please check the System logs on the PC so I can further examine the root cause of the issue?

To do this, kindly follow the steps from this link:

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2017/12/how-to-share-event-logs-in-case-of/#.ZFfoIRFByUk

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Please upload it by following the steps outlined in the link.

Answer 4

Thanx for taking a look. If the problem is a device driver, I just want to know which one so I can update or remove it.

Minidumps:

https://1drv.ms/u/c/cd37ffb2e28f4696/EV0prqwWLgNOs--s4QWpPJEBAI0UwhC4PGLj9zTU7J18gA?e=71avyE

https://1drv.ms/u/c/cd37ffb2e28f4696/EXB0JFwDoYhNsX_UTXVJC3wBbwrs_yudeOGCfkfn1gt__w?e=KPUS0e

Answer 5

Hi, I'm Bernard, a fellow Windows user. I'm happy to help!

The error ntkrnlmp.exe, is a general error, which means that the issue is probably caused by Damaged power cords, adapters, drivers, or software updates. To further check what is causing the issue. Can you please upload and share all the Minidump files and System logs of the PC so I can further examine the root cause of the issue? To do this, kindly follow the steps below:

 

For Minidump files:

Press Windows key + E (To open File Explorer)

 

Click "This PC" > then follow the file path:

 

C:\Windows\Minidump

 

Copy the Minidump files and save them to another location like Desktop or Documents.

 

Then please upload it to Cloud storage like OneDrive or any cloud storage you are using and please share the shareable link here.

To upload and share the link using OneDrive:

Go to this link: https://onedrive.live.com/,then upload the file

Then provide the shareable link by following the steps from this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-onedrive-files-and-folders-9fcc2f7d-de0c-4cec-93b0-a82024800c07

For System logs:

Kindly follow the steps from this link:

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2017/12/how-to-share-event-logs-in-case-of/#.ZFfoIRFByUk

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Please upload it by following the steps outlined in the link.