[The Best Solution] Fixing DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Errors in Windows 10

When you encounter a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, your computer will likely display a Blue Screen of Death and automatically restart. It’s frustrating because you won’t be able to use your computer until the root cause of this problem is resolved. But the good news is, fixing this error is not as complicated as it may seem.

Typically, the error message will look something like this: ‘DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (FILENAME.sys)’. The FILENAME refers to the specific file that is causing the issue, which could be a driver, antivirus file, or something else. If you’re unfamiliar with the file mentioned, a quick search on Google can provide helpful insights. Chances are, if it’s causing trouble for you, it has affected others as well.

Now, before we dive into troubleshooting that specific file, let’s take a broader approach to fix the majority of these issues. Since there are numerous files on your computer that could potentially cause this error, I’ll guide you through a comprehensive solution. Sometimes, there may not even be a specific filename to work with, so this approach will cover those situations too.

How to Fix DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Errors in Windows 10

Hey there! If you’ve been hit with a pesky DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error that’s giving you the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), don’t worry. I’ve got some steps to help you troubleshoot it. First things first, we need to boot into Safe Mode.

1. Grab your trusty Windows 10 installation media and pop it into your computer. Restart your computer and make sure to boot from the installation media.
2. When the Windows installation screen appears, don’t panic. Instead of clicking on “Install,” choose the option that says “Repair this computer.”
3. Next, click on “Troubleshoot,” then “Advanced Options,” and finally “Startup Settings.”
4. Now, here’s the real trick. Hit the key F5 on your keyboard to select “Safe Mode with Networking” and watch as your computer reboots.

Nice! You made it into Safe Mode. Now we can get down to business and fix those troublesome files causing the error. If you have any clue which specific driver is causing the problem, start there. But if you don’t see a filename mentioned in the error message, it’s a good idea to update all your drivers—better safe than sorry, right?

1. No worries, I’ve got a nifty trick for you. Just right-click on the trusty Windows Start Button and select “Device Manager.”
2. Once you’re in Device Manager, find the hardware that’s giving you trouble and right-click on it. Then select “Update Driver Software.” If you can’t find a specific filename given in the error message, make sure to update all your drivers—audio, network card, motherboard, and anything else you’ve got connected.
3. Almost there! Remove the Windows installation media from your computer and give it a good ol’ reboot. This time, start your computer as you normally do.

When you encounter a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, you might come across two common filenames: mfewfpic.sys and epfwwfp.sys. The first one belongs to McAfee and has a specific uninstaller. The second one is related to ESET Personal Firewall. If you see either of these filenames, simply updating your drivers won’t solve the issue. Instead, you need to uninstall and reinstall the software causing the problem.

1. To begin, open a command prompt as an administrator.
2. Type ‘DEL /F /S /Q /A “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\FILENAME.sys”‘. For example, if you encounter DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (mfewfpic.sys), you should type ‘DEL /F /S /Q /A “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mfewfpic.sys”.’
3. After that, reboot your computer in normal mode and uninstall the software in question. Then, reinstall it with either a different version or an updated one.

Sometimes, Windows automatically reinstalls the file you just deleted from Driverstore. If this occurs, boot back into Safe Mode, completely uninstall the software, and reinstall it with the newest version available.

It’s always a good idea to keep your drivers up to date, as they frequently receive fixes and improvements. You can either let Windows handle the updates for you or manually update them on a schedule that suits your needs.