Fixing DPC Watchdog Violation Errors in Windows 10

Hey there! Today, I want to talk about something that can be quite frustrating if you’ve experienced it: DPC Watchdog Violation errors in Windows 10. If this error has popped up on your screen, don’t worry! I’m here to help you understand what it is and how to fix it.

So, what exactly is a DPC Watchdog Violation error? Well, it’s a type of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error that can occur when your computer encounters a problem with its drivers. This error is often caused by outdated or incompatible hardware drivers, faulty system services, or issues with your computer’s memory.

Now that we know what the error is, let’s get to the good part: fixing it! The first thing you can try is updating your drivers. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of problems, including DPC Watchdog Violation errors. To update your drivers, you can visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your hardware. Alternatively, you can use a driver update tool to automatically update your drivers for you.

Another thing you can do is check for and install any Windows updates that are available. Sometimes, Microsoft releases updates that fix bugs and issues like the DPC Watchdog Violation error. To check for updates, simply go to Settings, then click on Update & Security, and finally, click on Windows Update.

If neither of these steps solve the problem, you can try disabling or removing any recently installed hardware or software. Sometimes, newly installed hardware or software can clash with your system, causing the DPC Watchdog Violation error. By removing or disabling them, you may be able to resolve the issue.

Lastly, if none of the previous steps work, you can try running a memory diagnostic test. This test will check your computer’s memory for any errors. To run the test, you can search for “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the Start menu and follow the instructions.

Well, there you have it! Hopefully, these steps have helped you fix the DPC Watchdog Violation error. Remember, if you’re ever unsure or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional or look for more resources online. Happy troubleshooting!

Hey there! I used to see DPC watchdog violation errors pop up a lot in Windows 10. They don’t happen as often now, but they still occur. Usually, they happen because of incompatible drivers, incompatible hardware, or file corruption within Windows. It’s usually related to drivers. If you’re also seeing these errors, don’t worry! I’ll show you how to fix it.

So, what does DPC mean? It stands for Deferred Procedure Call. It’s a system in Windows that lets high-priority tasks interrupt the task queue. In simple terms, it allows important stuff to go ahead of other less important tasks until it’s done. And what about the Watchdog? Well, it’s a software tool that hunts for bugs and errors in Windows.

When the Watchdog detects that it’s been waiting too long for a response from the operating system, it gets a bit protective. To keep your system safe, it forces a blue screen error and shuts down Windows. That’s what a violation error means.

Now, let’s fix those DPC watchdog violation errors in Windows 10!

Those DPC errors can be annoying with their blue screens, right? But no worries! Just reboot your computer into Windows and try the following steps. Your computer should load normally, even if just for a minute or two.

If you recently added new hardware:

First, try removing that hardware and then test if the error goes away. If it’s a replacement component, put back the old one if you still have it. If the error disappears, check if the hardware is compatible with Windows 10. And if you’re adding a new driver, make sure to remove the driver for the old component before adding the new one.

Now, what if you updated your drivers?

Identify which drivers you updated and roll them back. Start with minor components like audio, printers, mouse, and keyboard, and then move on to graphics and motherboard drivers. Roll back one driver at a time and test if Windows works again. The last driver you removed is probably the culprit.

To roll back a driver, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Select the device you updated, right-click, and select Properties.
3. Select the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.

Now, if you recently performed a Windows Update:

1. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Update & Security and then choose View Update History.
3. Check what Windows updates were installed around the time the errors started.
4. Select the update that you suspect may be causing the issue. It will take you to the Windows website with more information about it.
5. If you’re confident the update is causing the problem, click Uninstall updates to remove it.

What about those SSD drives and DPC watchdog violation errors?

One common cause of DPC watchdog violation errors in Windows 10 is related to SSD drives. If you’ve recently added a new drive, it might not have the proper driver installed. This issue was mostly fixed shortly after Windows 10 was released, but it still pops up sometimes.

1. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Select the SSD you installed and right-click on it.
3. Select Update Driver Software and then click Browse.
4. Choose Let me pick from a list of devices.
5. Select ‘Standard SATA AHCI Controller’ from the list and install it.

If none of those steps worked, there might be a file corruption or damage within the Windows operating system. Let’s take a look at that.

First, we should run a drive check to make sure it isn’t a drive error causing the DPC issue.

1. Type ‘cmd’ into the Search Windows box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Open as Administrator.
2. Type ‘CHKDSK C: /F /R’ and hit Enter.
3. Let the process complete.

CHKDSK is a built-in disk checking app in Windows that scans your C: drive for errors. If you have multiple drives, repeat this process for all of them, replacing C: with D:, E:, and so on. It might take a while, but it’s a useful tool for checking drive health anyway.

Are Windows 10 errors causing those DPC watchdog violation errors?

It’s rare, but it can happen. Luckily, Windows has tools that can check if your files are intact.

1. Type ‘cmd’ into the Search Windows box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Open as Administrator.
2. Type ‘sfc /scannow’ and hit Enter.
3. Allow the process to complete.

This process might take a bit, but there’s a progress counter within the window. The System File Checker (SFC) will check and verify your Windows 10 files. If any of them are damaged, missing, or corrupted, SFC will replace them. So, if there are any issues with your installation, this should fix it up.