DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD: Identify the Faulty Driver from Minidumps

Introduction

The DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen (BSOD) is a Windows stop error that usually appears when a kernel-mode driver tries to access memory it shouldn’t at a high interrupt level. You might see it during boot, gaming, USB/network activity, or after a Windows Update or driver installation. It’s critical to fix because it often signals an unstable driver or hardware/firmware issue that can lead to data loss, system corruption, and more frequent crashes.

This comprehensive guide goes well beyond generic advice. It shows you how to identify the faulty driver from minidumps, analyze the crash using WinDbg or BlueScreenView, and apply step-by-step troubleshooting—from quick fixes to advanced diagnostics—so you can resolve the DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL stop code reliably on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Understanding the Error

The DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL stop code (often displayed as 0x000000D1 or 0xD1) means a driver attempted to access paged or invalid memory while running at an elevated interrupt request level (IRQL). In plain language: a faulty or misbehaving driver did something unsafe at a time when the system can’t safely access that memory.

Common moments this happens:

• During heavy network activity (downloads, VPN, Wi‑Fi changes)
• When interacting with USB devices (plugging/unplugging controllers, webcams, storage)
• Under GPU load (gaming, video editing)
• On resume from sleep/hibernate
• Soon after installing or updating drivers, Windows updates, or BIOS/UEFI changes

The crash may show module names like ndis.sys, tcpip.sys, ntoskrnl.exe, or a third‑party driver name. Note that system modules listed (e.g., ntoskrnl.exe) are often just the victim, not the root cause. The minidump typically reveals the real offending third‑party driver.

Common Causes

Most frequent root causes of the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD:

• Buggy or outdated drivers
  • Network adapters (Wi‑Fi/Ethernet, VPN clients, NDIS filter drivers)
  • Storage (SATA/NVMe/RAID, Intel RST/AMD RAID)
  • Graphics drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel)
  • USB controllers and device class drivers
  • Security/AV filter drivers (real-time protection, antimalware)
• Corrupted driver installations or driver conflicts
• Windows Update pushing a generic driver that clashes with OEM drivers
• Firmware/BIOS bugs or outdated UEFI
• Memory (RAM) errors or unstable XMP/overclocking
• Disk issues (bad sectors, failing SSD/HDD, file system corruption)
• Malware/rootkits hooking into the network or storage stack
• Power instability/overheating
• Virtualization and sandbox drivers (Hyper‑V, VMware, VirtualBox) conflicts
• Core Isolation/Memory Integrity (HVCI) exposing incompatible legacy drivers

Preliminary Checks

Before deep-diving, perform these quick, safe steps.

Boot into Safe Mode

If Windows won’t boot normally, or to reduce interference from third‑party drivers:

• Windows 10/11:
  1. Hold Shift and click Restart (from Start > Power menu).
  2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  3. Press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
• If you can reach the desktop: run msconfig > Boot tab > check Safe boot (Minimal), apply and restart. Remember to undo later.

Safe Mode loads only essential Microsoft drivers, making it easier to uninstall or roll back problematic drivers.

Back Up Important Data

Ensure you have a current backup:

• Copy critical files to OneDrive, an external drive, or a NAS.
• Create a System Restore point: Control Panel > System > System Protection > Create.

Run Basic Health Checks

Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) and run:

• Check disk (online scan):

chkdsk C: /scan

• System file checker:

sfc /scannow

• Restore health with DISM (repairs component store):

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

If CHKDSK reports issues that need a reboot, schedule a full scan:

chkdsk C: /f /r

These commands fix common corruption and often reduce random BSODs.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Follow these steps in order, moving from least invasive to most advanced.

1) Confirm the Bugcheck and Gather Clues

• Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) > Windows Logs > System. Look for BugCheck events around the time of the crash.
• Check the Reliability Monitor (type “Reliability” in Start). Click on red X entries for “Windows stopped working” and view technical details.
• Note the stop code (DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL / 0xD1) and any driver/module name shown on the BSOD screen or in reports.

2) Ensure Minidumps Are Enabled and Locate Them

Minidumps contain critical crash details.

• Press Win+R, run: sysdm.cpl,3
• Under Startup and Recovery click Settings.
• Under Write debugging information, choose Small memory dump (256 KB).
• Ensure the path is %SystemRoot%\Minidump.
• Make sure Automatically restart is unchecked (optional).
• After the next crash, dumps appear in: C:\Windows\Minidump.
• To force immediate dump creation on next crash scenario, ensure page file is enabled on the OS drive.

Make a copy of the latest .dmp file for analysis.

3) Quick Analysis with BlueScreenView (Beginner-Friendly)

• Download BlueScreenView from NirSoft.
• Open it and point to C:\Windows\Minidump if needed.
• It will list BSODs and highlight likely culprits under the Caused By Driver column.
• Note any recurring third‑party driver names (e.g., nvlddmkm.sys, rtwlane.sys, igdkmdnd64.sys, e1d.sys, aswSP.sys, tap0901.sys, etc.).

BlueScreenView is a good starting point, but confirm with WinDbg for accuracy.

4) Deep Analysis with WinDbg to Identify the Faulty Driver

• Install WinDbg (Preview) from the Microsoft Store, or install the Windows SDK and select Debugging Tools.
• Open WinDbg (x64) as administrator.
• Set the symbol path for accurate call stacks:

.symfix
.reload

Alternatively:

.sympath srvC:\Symbolshttps://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
.reload /f

• Open the minidump: File > Open Crash Dump > select the latest from C:\Windows\Minidump.
• Run:

!analyze -v

Key fields to examine:

• BugCheck: Confirms 0xD1 and parameters (addresses and IRQL).
• Probably caused by: Often shows the offending driver.
• STACK_TEXT: Call stack for context (look for third‑party modules near the top).
• Use:

lmvm drivername

to inspect suspect driver details (version, timestamp, provider, path).

Example:

!analyze -v
…
BugCheck D1, {ffffe000123, 2, 0, fffff80123456789}
Probably caused by : rtwlane.sys ( rtwlane+1a2b3 )
…
lmvm rtwlane

If ntoskrnl.exe is listed, it often means the kernel crashed due to a third‑party driver earlier in the stack. Look just beneath the kernel frames or in the “Probably caused by” line for non‑Microsoft modules.

Tip: Use:

kv

to show stack with parameters. For network-related crashes, check for NDIS filter drivers (VPN, firewall). For storage crashes, look for iaStorAC.sys, storport.sys companions, or vendor NVMe drivers.

5) Act on Driver Findings: Update, Roll Back, or Remove

Based on the identified module:

• Update the driver to the latest from the OEM/vendor (not just Windows Update). Sources:
  • Laptop/desktop manufacturer support page (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.).
  • Intel Driver & Support Assistant, AMD Drivers (Chipset + Radeon), NVIDIA GeForce/Studio drivers.
• Roll back if the BSOD began after a recent update:
  • Device Manager > device > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver.
• Uninstall problematic software that adds filter drivers:
  • VPN clients (OpenVPN/TAP, WireGuard, enterprise VPNs)
  • Third‑party antivirus/firewalls
  • USB device suites or virtualization software
• To forcefully remove a driver package:

pnputil /enum-drivers
pnputil /delete-driver oemXX.inf /uninstall /force

Replace oemXX.inf with the ID for the faulty driver.

If the crash implicates a component you don’t use (e.g., an old Bluetooth stack), uninstall or disable that device.

6) Update Critical Platform Drivers

Even if a specific driver is flagged, update the platform stack to eliminate systemic issues:

• Chipset drivers (Intel/AMD)
• Storage drivers (Intel RST/AMD RAID/NVMe vendor drivers)
• Network drivers (Wi‑Fi/Ethernet OEM)
• GPU drivers (Clean install option in NVIDIA/AMD installers)
• USB controller drivers and firmware tools from the OEM

Avoid generic driver updaters; trust OEM sources and Windows Update only when appropriate.

7) Check BIOS/UEFI and Reset Overclocking

• Update your BIOS/UEFI from the PC/motherboard manufacturer. Read release notes for stability fixes.
• Reset overclocks (CPU/GPU) and XMP profiles to defaults while testing.
• Load Optimized Defaults in BIOS, save, and retest.
• If you recently enabled Memory Integrity (Core Isolation), temporarily disable it to test driver compatibility: Windows Security > Device Security > Core isolation > Memory integrity.

8) Test Memory (RAM) Thoroughly

Unstable or faulty RAM often triggers 0xD1 when drivers operate at high IRQL.

• Run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic:
  • Search “Windows Memory Diagnostic” > Restart now and check for problems.
• For deeper testing, use MemTest86 (USB boot) for multiple passes.
• Test one stick at a time and alternate slots to isolate the bad module/slot.
• If errors appear, replace RAM or reduce memory overclocks/XMP.

9) Validate Storage Health and File System

• Check SMART with vendor tools (Samsung Magician, WD Dashboard, Crucial Storage Executive) or a reputable utility.
• Re-run:

chkdsk C: /scan
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

• Update SSD firmware if available.

A failing drive can corrupt drivers and trigger BSODs indirectly.

10) Isolate Devices and Use a Clean Boot

• Disconnect non-essential USB devices (hubs, webcams, controllers) and retest.
• Try different ports (USB 2.0 vs 3.x).
• Perform a Clean Boot to disable third‑party services:
  • Run msconfig > Services tab > check Hide all Microsoft services > click Disable all.
  • Task Manager > Startup tab > disable non-essential startup items.
  • Reboot and test. If stable, re-enable items gradually to find the culprit.

11) System Restore or Rollback Updates

• If the BSOD started recently, use System Restore:
  • Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore > choose a restore point predating the issue.
• Uninstall recent Windows updates if timing aligns:
  • Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.

12) In-Place Upgrade Repair (Repair Install)

If corruption persists and other steps fail, perform an in-place upgrade to repair Windows without losing apps and files:

• Download the Windows 10/11 Media Creation Tool or ISO from Microsoft.
• Run setup.exe from within Windows and choose Keep personal files and apps.
• After repair, reapply driver updates as needed.

Advanced Diagnostics

If the issue remains, use these tools to pinpoint deeper root causes.

Driver Verifier (Use with Caution)

Driver Verifier stresses drivers and will intentionally cause BSODs if a driver breaks rules—helpful to identify the exact offender.

Enable selectively:

1. Open elevated Command Prompt:

verifier /standard /driver <list of suspect .sys drivers>

Or target all non-Microsoft drivers:

verifier /standard /all

2. Reboot and use the system normally. Expect additional BSODs; analyze the new minidumps. They often point to the exact bad driver.

Disable Driver Verifier if you get a boot loop:

• Boot into Safe Mode, then run:

verifier /reset

Tips:

• Don’t run indefinitely; use it to catch the culprit then disable.
• Prefer testing suspect drivers (network/storage/GPU/VPN/security) instead of all drivers if the system is fragile.

Event Viewer Deep Dive

• Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System:
  • Look for DriverFrameworks-UserMode, Service Control Manager, Disk, and WHEA-Logger events around crashes.
• Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs:
  • Check vendor logs (e.g., NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) for driver faults.
• Look for recurring warnings or errors that align with the crash timeframe.

Read the Stack in WinDbg More Precisely

In WinDbg, after !analyze -v:

• Use:

kv

to see parameters in the stack.

• Inspect suspect drivers:

lmvm

• If the crash is network related, inspect NDIS callouts and filters; for storage, watch for class/filter drivers; for antivirus, look for their kernel modules.
• Note: ntoskrnl.exe frequently appears but is rarely the root cause.

Check NDIS/Network Filters and Protocol Bindings

VPNs and security suites add filter drivers that often trigger 0xD1:

• Uninstall VPN/security software completely. If needed, re-add later with latest versions.
• To list network components:

netcfg -s n

Remove legacy adapters or filter drivers via Device Manager or uninstall their software packages.

Hyper-V, Virtualization, and Security Stack

• If you use Hyper‑V, VirtualBox, or VMware, ensure the latest versions and drivers are installed.
• Temporarily disable Core Isolation / Memory Integrity and Credential Guard to test compatibility with older drivers.

Temperature and Power

• Monitor CPU/GPU temps (e.g., using vendor tools).
• If the PSU is unstable, drivers may behave erratically under load. Test with a known-good PSU if possible.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider professional diagnostics or hardware replacement when:

• Minidumps implicate different drivers each time and extensive software fixes didn’t help—often a sign of RAM, motherboard, or PSU problems.
• MemTest86 reports memory errors, even intermittently.
• Storage tools show SMART failures or repeated file system corruption.
• BSODs continue after clean Windows repair and minimal drivers.
• You’re within warranty—contact the OEM for guided support or service.

Prevention Tips

• Keep OEM drivers up to date; prefer vendor downloads over generic or third‑party “driver updater” tools.
• Apply Windows updates consistently, but create restore points before major changes.
• Update BIOS/UEFI and SSD firmware responsibly, following vendor instructions.
• Avoid mixing old hardware drivers with Core Isolation unless fully compatible.
• Maintain stable power and cooling; avoid aggressive overclocks or unstable XMP settings.
• Use quality USB devices and hubs; disconnect when not needed.
• Schedule periodic integrity checks:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

• Keep regular backups and test recovery options.

Conclusion

The DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD usually traces back to a faulty or incompatible driver, occasionally exposing underlying hardware or firmware issues. By enabling and analyzing minidumps with tools like BlueScreenView and WinDbg, you can pinpoint the problematic module and apply targeted fixes—updating, rolling back, or removing drivers; updating BIOS and firmware; verifying memory and storage; and using Driver Verifier to smoke out stubborn offenders.

Follow the steps in order, from basic health checks to advanced diagnostics. With a methodical approach, most DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL errors on Windows 10/11 are fixable without reinstalling Windows—and when a reinstall is required, an in‑place repair usually preserves your apps and data.

FAQ

Can I ignore the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD?

No. A single random crash might be tolerable, but repeated BSODs indicate an unstable driver or hardware issue that can corrupt data. Follow the troubleshooting steps, starting with minidump analysis and driver updates.

Does this error mean my hardware is failing?

Not necessarily. Most 0xD1 crashes are driven by software drivers. However, if minidumps implicate different drivers each time, or you see memory/storage errors, suspect RAM, storage, or motherboard issues and run hardware diagnostics.

Is ntoskrnl.exe the culprit if it appears in the dump?

Usually not. ntoskrnl.exe is Windows’ kernel and often appears in crash dumps as the victim. Look for the “Probably caused by” line or third‑party modules high in the stack. Use WinDbg and check lmvm details for the real offender.

How do I read a minidump without WinDbg?

Use BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed for a quick overview. These tools highlight suspect drivers and are easier for beginners. For deeper accuracy and symbols, use WinDbg with:

.symfix
.reload
!analyze -v

Should I reinstall Windows to fix DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL?

Only after other steps fail. Try driver updates/rollbacks, System Restore, and an in‑place upgrade repair first. A full reinstall is a last resort, especially if hardware or firmware issues remain unresolved.