What is DRIVER-IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL?
This critical-severity issue affects the system driver. The driver accessed memory at the wrong IRQL level. The most common type of BSOD. It sometimes comes down to corrupted INF file. Follow the steps below to fix it.
Common Causes
- Incompatible driver
- Corrupted INF file
- Network or GPU driver
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
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1
Identify the faulty driver (.sys file) from the BSOD or minidump
Identifying the driver helps you target the correct device to update or uninstall.
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2
Update or reinstall the corresponding hardware driver
Resetting the driver verifier prevents boot loops in Windows.
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3
Disable Driver Verifier if it was enabled
If earlier steps didn't help, "Disable Driver Verifier if it was enabled" directly addresses incompatible driver.
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4
Run MemTest86 to verify memory stability
For lingering DRIVER-IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL cases, "Run MemTest86 to verify memory stability" is worth running through.
Commands & Diagnostics
verifier /reset
sfc /scannow
Frequently Asked Questions
Incompatible driver accounts for the majority of DRIVER-IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL reports; corrupted INF file and network or GPU driver come up less often but are documented.
Most DRIVER-IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL reports resolve after "Identify the faulty driver (.sys file) from the BSOD or minidump". The rest of the guide above is there for the cases that don't.
Yes — DRIVER-IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL is a critical-severity error and can lead to data loss or hardware damage if it's ignored. Don't put off the fix steps above.
You shouldn't need to. Work through the guide above first — a reinstall is only worth considering if none of those steps help.
Sometimes. Microsoft regularly releases patches that fix known BSOD triggers including DRIVER-IRQL-NOT-LESS-OR-EQUAL. Make sure Windows is fully up to date via Settings → Windows Update before attempting more advanced fixes.
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