IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL: How to Fix This Blue Screen

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is a Windows blue screen that most often points to a bad driver. Network, graphics, storage, and antivirus drivers are common suspects because they work close to the system kernel.

This guide applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.

Does This Affect You?

The error means a driver or system component tried to access memory in a way Windows could not allow at its current interrupt priority. Windows stops the system to prevent worse corruption. In everyday troubleshooting, start with drivers and security software.

Update or Roll Back the Driver Named in the Crash

1. If the blue screen names a .sys file, write it down. For example, NVIDIA graphics, Intel network, or other device drivers often appear this way.
2. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
3. Open the likely category, such as Network adapters, Display adapters, or Sound, video and game controllers.
4. Right-click the device, open Properties, and select the Driver tab.
5. Use Roll Back Driver if the crashes began after a recent update.
6. If rollback is not available, use Update driver or download the newest driver from the device or PC manufacturer.
7. Restart and test.

If no driver name appears, check Settings > Windows Update > Update history for driver updates installed around the time crashes began.

Temporarily Remove Third-Party Antivirus

Security suites install deep file and network drivers, which makes them a frequent trigger for this blue screen.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Uninstall any third-party antivirus or internet security suite. Leave Microsoft Defender alone; it turns on automatically when another antivirus is removed.
3. Restart the PC.
4. Use the computer normally for a day or two.
5. If the crashes stop, install the latest version from the vendor’s website or switch products.

Repair Windows System Files

1. Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
2. Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to finish.
3. Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Keep the PC online while it runs.
4. Restart when both commands finish.
5. If SFC still reports unrepaired files, run sfc /scannow again after DISM.

More IRQL Checks

Test Memory

Faulty RAM can create IRQL crashes that look like driver failures. Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic, choose Restart now and check for problems, and let the test run during startup.

Read Minidumps

Windows stores crash dump files under C:WindowsMinidump. Tools such as WhoCrashed can summarize them and often name the driver involved.

Uninstall a Recent Windows Update

If the crashes began immediately after an update, open Windows Update history and use Uninstall updates to remove the most recent suspect update temporarily.

Reset as a Last Resort

If drivers, antivirus removal, system repair, memory testing, and update rollback do not help, back up your files and use Reset this PC with Keep my files to reinstall Windows while preserving personal data.

Sources

• Microsoft Learn: Bug Check 0xA IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
• Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot blue screen errors
• Microsoft Support: Update drivers manually in Windows

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