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8 Easy Steps to Fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error
Check for issues with the graphics driver
8 min. read
Updated onMarch 22, 2024
updated onMarch 22, 2024
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Key notes
All Windows users, at some point, have had problems with aBlue Screen of Death(BSOD). Some Windows 10 users have reported encountering the MSDN bugcheckIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror.
These can be caused by incompatible drivers or hardware malfunctions, and Windows 10 users have not seen the end of it.
In this guide, we will try to shed some light on theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror in Windows 10 and the best solutions for it.
What does IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL mean?
The Stop CodeIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALbasically means that a process, application, or installed driver is trying to access a part of the system that it doesn’t have permission.
When a device driver or kernel process tries to access a memory location to which it isn’t authorized to have access, the operating system will issue an error. The same is true if a piece of software is corrupted and tries to access the wrong memory addresses.
Also, it could arise due to conflicts between two drivers when both try to write a memory allocation simultaneously. If any of this happens, the OS crashes with theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALBSOD error.
BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL causes
The error may be caused due to overclocking or software meant to enhance the computer’s performance. Problematic drivers are also a probable underlying cause.
Also, if the system files are damaged or corrupt, the OS may throw this or other BSOD errors. Besides, problems with the RAM or other hardware are just as likely to cause the Blue ScreenIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror.
Here are some of the other cases you encounter the error in Windows:
Let’s now find out how you can fixIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALin Windows 10 and the latest iteration.
How do I fix stop code IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL?
1. Start your computer in Safe Mode
By using this method, you can boot your Windows 10 computer with the bare minimum of features, drivers, and processes. This ensures that you are using a clean environment with no third-party drivers and applications.
This method can have one of two outcomes: either the system will work as intended, which indicates that the problem must lie in one of the installed third-party apps or drivers, or it will once again crash, telling that the problem has a deeper root, maybe within the hardware.
Once you have an answer to this question, you can move on and troubleshoot theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror in Windows 10.
2. Use a dedicated repair tool
The simplest way to go about any system errors is to employ the help ofprofessional repair software. These powerful tools allow you to perform in-depth scans and replace any broken files in just a few minutes.
3. Check your memory and hardware
If it returns an error, then you have your answer. Replace the RAM on your computer, and everything should be working properly. On the other hand, if the scan didn’t return any errors, then the problem resides elsewhere.
The next step is to check the hardware You will need to unplug all non-essential devices from your computer (which basically means everything except your mouse and keyboard) and then disable their drivers.
After a reboot, check to see if all the drivers are still disabled and, one by one, re-enable and reconnect the devices. Do not plug in or enable more than one device at a time!
If the error does not appear, then that device and driver are clear, and you can move on to the next one. Do this until you have either added and enabled all the devices or the BSOD appears.
If the latter happens, this means that the driver enabled last is the underlying cause.Boot your PC into Safe Boot, completely uninstall it, and thenupdate the driver. Also, if the Windows 10 Stop CodeIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALappears after a driver update, tryrolling back the driver.
4. Refresh or restore
A System Restore is a viable option if the error manifests itself after you have installed multiple drivers and third-party software. For this to work, you would need to have created a restore point before installing the software.
5. Repair your registry to fix corrupted files
Wait for the scanning process to complete, and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot. If you prefer to repair your registry automatically, you can use areliable registry cleaner tool.
Now, verify if theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALin Windows 10 VirtualBox is fixed.
6. Check your disk for errors
Speaking ofcorrupted filesand errors, your disk may also trigger theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror. If you already applied the first solution listed in this guide and checked your RAM, try checking your disk as well.
To do that, the Check Disk utility, pre-installed in Windows, comes to your aid. Simply run it, and things should be up and running if it were issues with the disk causing theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror in Windows 10.
7. Run a full system scan
Malware may cause various issues on your computer, including theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALBSOD error. Perform a full system scan to detect any malware running on your computer.
If you need a more advanced antivirus solution, tryone of these third-party tools.
8. Perform a clean Windows install
If everything else fails, and the error still appears even after you have exhausted all alternatives, the only thing left to do is to perform a clean Windows install.
This means you will need a Windows installation disk or USB drive and install a fresh version of Windows 10. But as mentioned, this should be left as a last resort since all the data stored on your computer will be lost.
To reinstall Windows,create a bootable USB drive with Windows 10, boot the drive on startup, and install a fresh copy of the OS.
If that sounds like too much trouble, you can alwaysreset Windows to the factory settingsand eliminate errors.
That’s all there’s to theIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerror in Windows 10, and one of the solutions here must have fixed things for you.
Also, find out how tofix the DriverIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALerroron your computer. If you’re on Windows 11, we also have a guide on how to fixIrql Not Less or Equal in Windows 11, so don’t miss it.
If you have questions or other tested solutions, drop them in the comments section below.
More about the topics:BSoD error codes,BSoD errors,windows 10 fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
