How to fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error in Windows 11 step by step

One of the bugs that can be most bothersome for Windows 11 users is the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, which is always accompanied by the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. This error can appear in older versions of the system and is usually related to drivers, memory, or system code attempting to access invalid addresses.

In this guide we address the solutions: What the error means, probable causes, how to diagnose it, and how to fix itFrom quick checks like refreshing your system or disconnecting peripherals, to advanced tools like SFC/DISM, Memory Diagnostics, Driver Verifier, or track-by-track in the Event Viewer and Debugger.

What is IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and why does it appear?

This stop code (bugcheck 0x0000000A) indicates that Windows or a kernel-mode driver has attempted accessing invalid memory with a high IRQL level. In plain English: a process or driver has touched a memory address it shouldn't have while in a priority where such access is not permitted.

The key is that at high IRQL levels, cannot access paged memory or execute pageable code, and any bad pointers, null dereferences, or paging errors can trigger the BSOD. This pattern is common with faulty drivers, problematic hardware, or software installations that disrupt the system.

Common causes of IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

There are a range of factors that can cause failure, and it is worth reviewing them to prioritize the diagnosis:

• Incompatible or corrupt drivers: conflicts after updating a driver or installing new hardware.
• Corrupted system files: corruption following outages, malware, or incomplete installations.
• RAM problems: Faulty modules, misconfiguration, or memory controller instability.
• overclocking: Aggressive frequencies/voltages on the CPU, RAM or GPU that cause errors under load.
• Excessive heat: overtemperature that destabilizes the system and leads to critical failures.
• Problematic updates: patches that clash with certain hardware/drivers.
• Altered record: Installations or removals that leave damaged inputs.
• Fragmented disks and slowness (on HDD): On mechanical drives, fragmentation can aggravate crashes.

A classic to keep in mind: graphics drivers. It is relatively common for GPU drivers (e.g., certain versions of GeForce) untie this bug, and reverting to the previous version usually nips it in the bud.

First of all: update and disconnect peripherals

Start with the basics. Keep Windows up to date: Settings > Update & Security > Windows UpdateClick Check for updates and install any pending updates. Many firmware and driver fixes arrive this way.

Then turn it off and disconnect all non-essential peripherals (printer, scanner, USB drives, webcam). Restart and check if the screen disappears. If it does, connect each device one at a time until you find the problem. reinstall or update your drivers.

Fix system files with SFC and DISM

If the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error is caused by corrupted system files, built-in utilities CFS and DISM They are usually a miracle cure. Open Command Prompt as administrator and runs:

sfc: sfc /scannow

Let it finish, and then repairs the Windows image To ensure the SFC sources are intact, run ScanHealth, CheckHealth, and RestoreHealth in this order:

DISM ScanHealth: dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth

DISM CheckHealth: dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth

DISM RestoreHealth: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

When finished, reboot. If the BSOD persists, the root is probably in third-party drivers or applications.

Delete the latest update if it is the cause

Occasionally, an update introduces a conflict with your hardware. To reverse it: Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates, sort by date and uninstall the most recent related one.

Windows works with thousands of combinations of components and, although they are tested, not all react the sameRemoving that patch may restore stability until a hotfix is ​​released.

Restore the system to a previous point

When an uninstall doesn't clean up all the changes, restoring Windows to a previous point is often the shortcut. Type Recovery in the search engine, open Open restore Sistem, choose a restore point from before the problematic installation and let the wizard do its work.

This process keeps your personal files, but roll back drivers, apps and settings to the state in which the system was stable.

Drivers: Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall

An incompatible driver is a common source of 0xA. Open the Device administrator (right click on Start), locate the affected device, go to Properties and, in the Driver tab, use Revert to the previous controller if available.

If you can't revert, uninstall the device and reboot: Windows will detect it on boot and will attempt to reinstall the driver automaticallyYou can also download the latest or previous driver from the manufacturer and install it manually.

Practical advice: Don't immediately delete old versions of graphics drivers. Keeping the previous one for a couple of weeks keeps a fast track to rollback If the newer one fails, tools like DriverStore Explorer can help clean up duplicate versions later.

Diagnose RAM with the Windows tool

Faulty or unstable RAM can cause chaos. Windows includes the Memory Diagnostic Tool which checks modules without installing anything else:

1. Save your work and close the apps. Avoid losing changes on reboot.
2. Right click on Start and choose Run. Writes mdsched and click OK.
3. Choose Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
4. During the test, press F1 to change the settings and select Extended for a more thorough examination. Apply with F10.

When finished, Windows will restart and attempt to display a notification with the results. If you don't see it, check the Events viewer: Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > MemoryDiagnostics-Results > Operational/Debug.

Driver Verifier

DriverVerifier Stress and monitor drivers to reveal bad practices in real time. Use with caution, as it can intentionally causing new blue screens to isolate the culprit.

1. Opens CMD as administrator and write verifier.
2. Choose Create standard configurations and tap Next.
3. Select the drivers to check (preferably a few at a time, prioritize non-Microsoft drivers).
4. Terminate and restart to start background verification.

If a new BSOD appears, write down the name of the controller involved on the screen or review the minidump with the debugger to confirm the suspicious module.

Computer hardware and health troubleshooter

Windows can help with basic hardware diagnostics. In Settings > Update and security > Troubleshoot, run Hardware and Devices to detect typical incidents.

Also, monitor the temperature. A team that it gets too hot If your laptop is a candidate for failure, clean the dust, improve airflow, consider a better CPU heatsink or, if appropriate, liquid cooling. On laptops, a cooling pad also helps.

Clean boot to isolate conflicts

A clean boot starts Windows with the minimum of services and startup programs, ideal for rule out conflicting software. Open msconfig (Win+R, type msconfig):

1. In General, brand Selective start and uncheck Load startup items.
2. In Services, brand Hide all Microsoft services and press Disable all.
3. Apply and reboot. Test stability and reactivate by group (or manufacturer) until you find the culprit.

The Reliability Monitor is also your friend: run perfmon /rel to see hardware errors or failed installations aligned in time with the BSOD.

Advanced Debugging: Understanding 0xA Parameters

If you use WinDbg you can go a step further. The 0xA bugcheck includes four parameters that help classify the type of failure:

Parameter	Meaning
1	Virtual address accessed. If less than 0x1000, probable NULL pointer. Useful to query with commands like !pte, !address or !pool.
2	IRQL at the time of failure. Value 2 implies DISPATCH_LEVEL (access to pagination prohibited).
3	Operation bits. Bit 0: 0 read, 1 write. Bit 3: 1 execute. Typical combinations: 0x0 reading, 0x1 write, 0x8 execution.
4	Instruction Pointer (IP) on failure. Useful for identifying the responsible function with ln.

In the debugger, start with !analyze -v, check the stack with k and examine the module involved. Many times you will see the name of the controller directly on the blue screen or in the dump.

Diagnosing with Event Viewer

After each crash, Windows logs useful information. Open the Events viewer and check the system log for critical errors at the same time interval as the BSOD. This helps identify devices or services that collapse.

For Memory Diagnostic results, remember the path: Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > MemoryDiagnostics-Results > Operational/Debug.

When the culprit is a graphics driver

If the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error appeared after upgrading your GPU, try to return to the previous driverDownload the immediately previous version from the manufacturer's website or use the Roll Back option in Device Manager if available. Maintaining two versions for a while gives you some leeway.

Only when the new version has been running stable for a few weeks, delete the old ones. For this late cleanup, specialized utilities allow manage the driver repository Safely.

If all else fails: Reset this PC

If you have exhausted your options and still cannot identify the source, you can use Reset this PC from Settings > Update & security > Recovery. Choose whether or not to keep files and let Windows rebuild your system.

This process takes time, but often restores stability to where the system was left. too affected by changes accumulated, faulty drivers or conflicting software.

It's worth closing with a key idea: to resolve the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, you need to understand what changed just before the first screenshot. Whether it's a Windows update, a recent driver, a new peripheral, or installed software, that's usually where the good track isWith SFC/DISM tests, memory diagnostics, driver checks (and verification), a clean boot, and an Event Viewer review, you have a complete roadmap to get your PC back to normal without losing time or data.