Having encountered the frustrating IRQL Not Less or Equal error on Windows systems, I embarked on a quest to find effective solutions for Windows 10, 11, and XP.
Incompatible Hardware Device Configuration
1. Check for incompatible hardware devices: Start by reviewing the hardware devices connected to your computer. Ensure that all devices are compatible with your operating system and that you have the necessary drivers installed. If you recently installed a new device, try removing it temporarily to see if the error persists.
2. Update device drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can cause the IRQL Not Less or Equal error. To resolve this, update your drivers to the latest version. You can do this by visiting the manufacturer’s website and downloading the appropriate drivers for your hardware.
3. Use Safe Mode: If you’re unable to access your computer normally due to the error, try booting into Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows you to start your computer with only essential system files and drivers, which can help identify and resolve any compatibility issues.
4. Check the Windows Registry: Corrupted or incorrect entries in the Windows Registry can also trigger the IRQL Not Less or Equal error. Use the Registry Editor to scan for any issues and fix them. Be cautious when making changes to the registry, as incorrect modifications can cause further problems.
5. Update your operating system: Keeping your operating system up to date is essential for ensuring compatibility with hardware devices. Check for any available Windows updates and install them to address any known compatibility issues.
6. Use diagnostic tools: Windows provides various diagnostic tools that can help identify and resolve compatibility issues. Tools like the Device Manager and the System File Checker can help pinpoint problematic hardware devices or system files.
7. Consider hardware upgrades: In some cases, the error may persist due to outdated or incompatible hardware. If you’ve exhausted all other options, you may need to consider upgrading certain components, such as your motherboard, graphics card, or RAM, to ensure compatibility with your operating system.
Corrupt System Files
If you’re encountering the IRQL Not Less or Equal error on your Windows 10, 11, or XP system, it could be due to corrupt system files. This error typically results in the dreaded Blue Screen of Death, disrupting your computer usage. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to fix this issue.
Step 1: Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan.
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete, and it will automatically fix any corrupt system files it finds.
Step 2: Perform a Windows Update.
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to “Update & Security” and click on “Windows Update.”
3. Click on “Check for updates” and wait for the process to complete.
4. Install any available updates, including important and optional ones.
Step 3: Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the tool to scan and repair any issues with the system image.
Step 4: Update your device drivers.
1. Press Windows + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the categories and locate any devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
3. Right-click on the device and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
Step 5: Check for hardware issues.
1. Ensure that all hardware components, such as the motherboard, graphics card, and RAM, are properly connected.
2. If you suspect a specific hardware component, try removing and reseating it.
3. If the issue persists, consider running diagnostic tools or seeking professional help.
Incompatible Device Drivers
- Identify the incompatible device driver:
- Open Device Manager by pressing Win+X and selecting Device Manager from the menu.
- Look for any devices marked with a yellow triangle or exclamation mark icon.
- Right-click on the device and select Properties.
- Under the Driver tab, note down the driver details.
- Update or reinstall the device driver:
- Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for the specific device model.
- Open Device Manager again.
- Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers and navigate to the downloaded driver file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update.
- If updating the driver doesn’t work, right-click on the device and select Uninstall device.
- Restart the computer and let Windows automatically reinstall the driver.
- Use the Windows Update feature:
- Press Win+I to open the Settings app.
- Select Update & Security.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If any updates are available, download and install them.
- Restart the computer to apply the updates.
- Perform a clean boot:
- Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type msconfig and press Enter.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
- Check the box for Hide all Microsoft services.
- Click on Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, disable all the startup items.
- Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
- Click on Apply and then OK.
- Restart the computer and see if the IRQL Not Less or Equal error is resolved.
Faulty Hardware Items
To fix this issue, you can try the following steps:
1. Check your RAM: Faulty RAM can cause this error. Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool or third-party software to test your RAM for any errors. If any issues are found, consider replacing the faulty RAM module.
2. Update device drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can also trigger this error. Update your drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s website or using a reliable driver update tool.
3. Check hardware connections: Loose or faulty hardware connections can cause this error. Make sure all your hardware components are properly connected and functioning correctly. If necessary, reseat your RAM, graphics card, and other hardware components.
4. Scan for malware: Malware infections can corrupt system files and cause various errors, including the “IRQL Not Less or Equal” error. Use a reputable antivirus software to scan your system for malware and remove any threats.
5. Update BIOS: Outdated or faulty BIOS settings can also trigger this error. Visit your computer manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS update for your system. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update your BIOS.
6. Check for hardware conflicts: Conflicting hardware devices can cause this error. Open Device Manager and look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark. Right-click on the device and select “Update driver” or “Uninstall device” to resolve any conflicts.
7. Remove recently installed hardware: If you recently installed new hardware, such as a USB device or expansion card, try removing it temporarily to see if the error goes away. If the error disappears, the newly installed hardware may be causing the issue.
Incorrect Software Installation
To fix this error, follow these steps:
1. Boot your computer in Safe Mode by restarting it and pressing the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. From there, select Safe Mode and press Enter.
2. Once in Safe Mode, uninstall any recently installed software that may be causing the error. Go to the Control Panel, select “Programs and Features,” and uninstall the suspicious software.
3. Update your drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s website for your computer or individual components such as the graphics card, network adapter, or sound card. Download and install the latest drivers available.
4. If updating drivers didn’t solve the issue, try rolling back to a previous version of the driver. Right-click on the Start button, select “Device Manager,” and locate the device causing the issue. Right-click on it, select “Properties,” go to the “Driver” tab, and click on “Roll Back Driver.”
5. Another potential fix is to run a system file check to repair any corrupted system files. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow.” Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.
6. Check your computer’s RAM for any faults. Open the Start menu, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic,” and select the corresponding result. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your RAM for errors.
7. If the error persists, perform a clean boot to identify any software conflicts. Press the Windows key + R, type “msconfig,” and press Enter. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab, check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box, and click on “Disable all.” Then, go to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager.” Disable all startup programs and restart your computer.
Use Event Viewer to Find Error Cause
To use Event Viewer to find the cause of the “IRQL Not Less or Equal” error in Windows 10, 11, or XP, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “eventvwr.msc” and press Enter to open Event Viewer.
3. In the Event Viewer window, expand the “Windows Logs” category and click on “System.”
4. Look for any entries with a red “Error” icon. These entries indicate potential issues that could be causing the error.
5. Double-click on an error entry to view more details about it.
6. Pay attention to the “General” tab, which provides a brief description of the error. This information can help you identify the cause.
7. If available, switch to the “Details” tab to see additional technical information about the error.
8. Note down any relevant information, such as the error message, event ID, or source.
9. Use this information to search for solutions online. You can try searching for the specific error message or event ID, along with keywords like “IRQL Not Less or Equal” and your operating system version.
10. Look for official support articles, forum threads, or troubleshooting guides that provide solutions for the identified error.
11. Follow the recommended steps to fix the issue. If necessary, consider seeking assistance from a knowledgeable technician or the manufacturer’s support team.
Using Event Viewer can help you pinpoint the cause of the “IRQL Not Less or Equal” error by providing detailed information about system events and errors. By analyzing these events, you can find clues that lead to the appropriate solution for your specific situation.
Update System Software
To update the system software on your Windows 10, 11, or XP computer and fix the “IRQL Not Less or Equal” error, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Update & Security.”
3. Select “Windows Update” from the left-hand menu.
4. Click on “Check for updates” and wait for Windows to search for available updates.
5. If there are any updates available, click on “Install now” to start the installation process.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
7. Once the update is finished, restart your computer.
If updating the system software doesn’t resolve the issue, you can also try the following steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. Expand the “Network adapters” category.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Wait for Windows to search for and install any available driver updates.
6. Restart your computer after the driver update is complete.
If the problem persists, you may need to check for any recently installed programs or drivers that could be causing conflicts. You can use the “Programs and Features” or “Apps & Features” section in the Control Panel or Settings app to uninstall any recently installed programs. For drivers, you can follow a similar process in the Device Manager.
It’s also a good idea to run a full scan with your antivirus software to check for any malware or viruses that could be causing the error. If the scan detects any threats, follow the instructions provided by your antivirus software to remove them.
Additionally, make sure your computer’s hardware components, such as the RAM, hard drive, and graphics card, are properly seated and functioning correctly. If necessary, you can try reseating or replacing these components.
Disable Outside Antivirus Software
To fix the “IRQL Not Less or Equal” error on Windows 10, 11, or XP, you may need to disable any outside antivirus software that is installed on your computer. This can help resolve conflicts and ensure that your system operates smoothly.
Here’s how to disable outside antivirus software:
1. Open the antivirus software on your computer. This can usually be done by clicking on the software’s icon in the system tray or by searching for the software in the Start menu.
2. Look for an option to temporarily disable or turn off the antivirus protection. This option may be located in the settings, preferences, or options menu of the software.
3. Click on the option to disable or turn off the antivirus protection. Confirm any prompts or warnings that may appear.
4. Once the antivirus software is disabled, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.
5. After your computer has restarted, check if the “IRQL Not Less or Equal” error has been resolved. If the error no longer appears, you can consider reinstalling or updating your antivirus software to ensure that your computer remains protected.
Remember to re-enable your antivirus software once you have resolved the error to ensure that your computer remains protected from viruses and other threats.
F.A.Q.
How to fix Driver_irql_not_less_or_equal error in Windows 10?
To fix the Driver_irql_not_less_or_equal error in Windows 10, you can follow these steps:
– Use the chkdsk command to check for any disk errors.
– Check your RAM for any issues.
– Disconnect any peripheral devices connected to your computer.
– Repair your system files using the System File Checker tool.
– Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in Windows to identify and resolve any hardware-related issues.
– Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to check for memory problems.
– If all else fails, you can try resetting Windows to its default settings.
What does Irql_not_less_or_equal mean?
Irql_not_less_or_equal means that there might be an issue with a device driver, device memory, or antivirus software on your Windows 10 device. To address this error, you can try updating your drivers through Windows updates.
Can faulty RAM cause IRQL less or equal?
Faulty RAM can indeed cause the IRQL less or equal error.
How to fix Irql_not_less_or_equal errors?
To fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL errors, you can try the following steps:
1. Uninstall any malware or suspicious software from your computer.
2. Ensure that your computer is properly cooled to prevent overheating issues.
3. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to check for any memory problems.
4. Update your drivers to their latest versions, especially for your hardware.
5. Use the Hardware Troubleshooter to identify and resolve any hardware-related issues.
6. Run the Driver Verifier tool to check for any faulty drivers.
7. Consider resetting your PC if the issue persists or if other troubleshooting steps do not work.
