DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

What is 0x000000D1?

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x000000D1) is a critical-severity fault affecting the Windows operating system. A kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high. Caused by corrupt drivers, faulty memory, or antivirus software. It sometimes comes down to corrupted system files. See the troubleshooting steps below for the fix.

Common Causes

• Corrupted system drivers (e.g. network, USB, GPU)
• Unstable RAM or memory timing
• Antivirus software conflicts
• Corrupted system files

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

• 1
  Update network and motherboard drivers

  Update network and motherboard drivers is the first thing worth trying, since it resolves 0x000000D1 for most affected systems.

• 2
  Test memory with MemTest86

  A recurrence usually points to a rarer device drivers instability cause, which is what the following steps are meant to catch.

• 3
  Temporarily disable antivirus software

  This step, "Temporarily disable antivirus software", specifically rules out antivirus software conflicts.

• 4
  Run SFC and DISM tools

  "Run SFC and DISM tools" covers a less common but documented cause of 0x000000D1.

Commands & Diagnostics

Frequently Asked Questions