Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal

What is Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal?

"Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal" is a Blue Screen of Death error that usually occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory address.

How can you fix Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal?

Some of the solutions to this error include uninstalling the corrupt driver, fixing the registry, testing the hardware for defects and reinstalling Windows.

Please see our in-depth walk-through solutions below.

• Uninstall corrupt driver
• Fix registry
• Test Hardware
• Reinstall Windows

1. Uninstall corrupt driver

"Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal" may be caused by a newly installed driver, which may also be corrupted or incompatible with the Windows version. To solve this error, try booting Windows into Safe Mode and uninstalling the driver.

Option 1. Access Safe Mode using Desktop

1. Hold Shift and Press restart.
2. Or click Windows button and Letter I at the same time, to direct you to Windows Setting and follow the image below.
3. Click Troubleshoot ==> Advance Option ==>Start up Setting ==> Restart.
4. Select Safe mode.
5. Now go to the Control Panel and select Uninstall program.
6. Look for the newly installed driver that caused the BSOD and uninstall it.
7. Restart your computer.

Option 2. Access Safe Mode using Installation CD/DVD or USB

1. Insert the Windows 10 installation CD/DVD or USB.
2. A message will appear “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD”, press any key to boot from the Windows installation CD/DVD or USB.
3. Select your language, time and keyboard, and click next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click Troubleshoot ==> Advance Option ==>Start up Setting ==> Restart.
6. Select Safe mode.
7. Now go to the Control Panel and select Uninstall program.
8. Look for the newly installed driver that caused the BSOD and uninstall it.
9. Restart your computer.

NOTE: Due to BSOD restart, your Windows 10 will direct you to Automatic repair window, to accessAdvance option, therefore you may skip steps 1 to 4. You could also hard press the power button on the computer until you access Automatic repair. (Note that this is not advisable because it could damage your hardware.)

2. Fix registry

"Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal" may also be caused by a damaged or missing registry. Recovering the backup and fixing the registry may fix the error.

1. Insert the Windows 10 installation CD/DVD or USB.

2. A message will appear “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD”, press any key to boot from the Windows installation CD/DVD or USB.

3. Select your language, time and keyboard, and click next.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. To access Advance option, please see solution

6. Click Troubleshoot ==> Advance Option ==> Command prompt.

7. Type "C:" press enter key ==> "dir"press enter key ==> "cd \windows\system32/config" press enter key ==> "mb backup" press enter key ==> "copy . backup"press enter key ==> "CD" regback" press enter key ==> "dir" press enter key ==> "Copy . .." press enter key ==> "A" (note: must be) Capital A press enter key.

8. Then close Command prompt and click continue.

NOTE: Due to BSOD restart, your Windows 10 will direct you to Automatic repair window, to access Advance option. Therefore, you may skip steps 1 to 4. You may want to do a repetitive power button hard press until you access Automatic repair. (Note that this is not advisable because it could damage your hardware.)

3. Test Hardware

"Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal" may also be caused by a defective hardware. You may want to reconnect and test your hardware to fix the error.

1. Turn off and unplug your computer.
2. Then open the case.
3. Remove all RAM/memory stick and, clean the RAM gold pin using an eraser and connect it again. Make sure that you push it down enough that the retention lever or the RAM slot lock snaps.
4. Detach graphics card and other components such as a printer and network adaptor.
5. Reconnect hard drive. If you have multiple hard drives, do not connect the secondary hard drives only the hard drive with installed Windows on it.
6. Reset your Motherboard Bios by removing the CMOS battery and reconnect it after two minutes.
7. Clean your CPU fan from dust and make sure the CPU fan cable is connected to the motherboard properly.
8. Test the PC, turn it on. Check if the CPU fan is working if not buy a new one. If good, proceed.
9. If it proceeds to Windows Desktop turn it off again.
10. Reconnect graphics card, secondary hard drive, and the other components. If the error occurs, your graphics card or add-on component might be the source of the BSOD. Reconnect it one by one and until you determine which one is causing the problem.
11. If the error persists, please proceed with the hardware test below,

Hard disk drive (HDD) test using Check Disk

To access Command Prompt:

1. Insert the Windows 10 installation CD/DVD or USB.
2. A message will appear “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD”, press any key to boot from the Windows installation CD/DVD or USB.
3. Select your language, time and keyboard, and click next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click Troubleshoot ==> Advance Option ==> Command prompt.
6. In the Command prompt, type in chckdisk /r, then press Enter and wait until the process is finished.
7. If you encounter any error report, such as the image above, consider replacing your HDD.
8. If the HDD is in good condition, please see test your RAM.

RAM/Memory test

Using Memtest86

This solution is applicable even if you could not access Windows desktop. However, you are required a working PC to create a bootable Memtest86. If you do not have any spare PC to use, please skip Memtest86.

Test RAM using Memtest86. Please see below for the instruction.

1. Download Memtest86. Please see link http://www.memtest86.com/
2. Create a bootable USB using the ISO image of MemTest86 or burn to a CD or DVD. A bundled software is included to create a bootable CD or USB.
3. After you have created a bootable Memtest86, restart your computer and boot it to the USB or Disc drive.
4. The Memtest86 will automatically test your RAM. If an error occurs, it will be in a red font. If memory is defective, consider it for a warranty claim or replacement.

Unit with one RAM stick

Move the RAM stick to another RAM slot on your motherboard.

If the error occurred only on a specific RAM slot, the motherboard RAM slot is defective. If your motherboard still has a warranty, please claim it. If the warranty is null, please use working RAM slot.

If the error follows the RAM using other RAM slots, the RAM is defective. If your RAM still has a warranty, please claim it. If the warranty is null, please buy a new one.

Unit with multiple RAM stick

If you have installed a new RAM stick and you encountered the error, it might be the source of the error.

If you have a multiple RAM, try to determine which one is causing the problem by using the RAM one by one and using only one motherboard RAM slot. If one of the RAM enables you to access Windows Desktop please create a bootable Memtest86 or use Windows Memory Diagnostic to test your RAM. If the RAM passes the test please test another one. If one of the RAM encounters an error while the other pass, please claim warranty. If the warranty is null, please buy a new one or only use the working RAM.

If all of them fail using a same motherboard RAM slot, it is possible that the RAM slot is defective. If all of them pass the using Memtest86 or Windows Memory Diagnostic by using the same RAM slot, it is possible that one of the RAM slots is defective. Use the other RAM slots to confirm.

If the error persists, please install new Windows.

4. Reinstall Windows

If all the components are in good condition or you had replaced a bad HDD please reinstall a new Windows 10. It is possible that "Windows 10 error driver_irql_not_less_or_equal" may be caused by a damage Windows component.

1. Insert the Windows installation DVD or USB.
2. A message will appear “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD”, press any key to boot from the Windows installation CD/DVD or USB.
3. Select your language, time and keyboard, and click Next.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Click I accept the terms of the license, and then click Next.
6. Click Custom (Advanced).
7. Select the partition, and click Delete.
   NOTE: Delete all partition.
8. Select the Unallocated space and click Next. NOTE: If you want to define the size, click new, set the size and then click Apply.
9. Click ok to confirm.
10. Wait until the installation process is finished.