The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen error is a Windows 10 error. As the name suggests, it usually occurs when Windows is booting up but displays a blue screen with an error code. Fortunately, there are many solutions to this problem and we will walk you through them one by one below!
If you don't want to face IRQL errors again in the future, be sure to read our "Preventing BSOD errors" section at the end of this post for tips on how to stay safe from related problems.
If you use Windows 10 and have been experiencing IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen errors, then this post is for you. This error is primarily a security issue. A device driver, system process, or running software is attempting to access a region of system memory that is inaccessible to it, generally due to a lack of permissions.
What is a blue screen/BSOD error?
A "blue screen" error (also called BSOD for short) occurs when your system encounters a severe error. It's a typical problem in which your machine receives a STOP code and is forced to reboot.
The majority of blue screen faults are caused by system-related difficulties that cause Windows 10 to return a STOP code, which leads to a system crash. This occurs without notice, meaning your work may be lost and files may get damaged. Always make sure you save often and create system backups!
Each blue screen error will emit what’s called a stop code. You can use it to find out the cause of the error, or look up possible solutions online. It also helps IT professionals identify the issue and troubleshoot your device efficiently.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on repairs. Just follow our solutions below to fix the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error! We’ll guide you through each step to ensure your computer is restored.
What causes the “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” error?
Most Windows 10 errors don’t have one specific cause. Blue screen errors fall into this category too. There are several reasons why you might be experiencing the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error, and each one is easy to restore. Here are the most common causes for this problem:
- Corrupt system files. If the files on your system have been damaged or corrupted in any way, you might run into this problem. Fortunately, Windows 10 comes with multiple tools that address issues such as this, and restore system files automatically. Find the instructions below!
- Incompatible drivers. Most peripherals you connect to your computer need a driver in order to work. If the driver you installed isn’t compatible with your system, you might get the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error code. In this case, updating or rolling back the driver is your best bet.
- Incomplete software installations. It's possible that a program you installed didn't complete the installation process, causing issues with your computer. Look for installation failure notifications in Reliability Monitor if you've recently installed an application or update it.
- Hardware malfunction. If any of your hardware is faulty or failing, you can generally view problem reports in Reliability Monitor. This will reveal problems that can cause blue screen errors.
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL errors are frequently caused by graphics drivers. A buggy graphics driver, such as Nvidia GeForce or AMD, is usually to blame for this issue. This is a widespread issue that isn't confined to just those drivers, therefore it's simple to fix.
Fixed: Blue screen error code “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”
On Windows 10, here are all the solutions to the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen error. You may use these procedures on both Windows 11 and Windows 7 as well.
Method 1. Boot your computer in Safe Mode
It may be essential to enter Safe Mode in order to complete some of the solutions listed below. You can also begin troubleshooting by determining whether the problem occurs in Safe Mode rather than standard boot mode.
- Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key on your keyboard while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). You may also need to hold down the Fn (function) key on certain devices.
- Tip: If you can’t boot into WinRE using the keyboard shortcut, keep turning your computer on and off until it automatically starts in the repair environment. You need to turn the computer on and off about three times on average.
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Navigate through to See advanced repair options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- You'll now see a selection of several restart choices. By pressing F5 on your keyboard, you’ll enable Safe Mode with Networking. Wait for your system to restart and see if it successfully boots.
If you’re able to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode without the blue screen error appearing, you can troubleshoot further! For example, scanning your computer for malware with the Windows Defender is a great first step.
Method 2. Check your memory with Memory Diagnostic
Memory (RAM) problems, like disk faults, may be detected by a built-in Windows 10 scanner. The methods below will walk you through running the Windows Memory Diagnostics program and perhaps preventing the blue screen problem.
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Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut. Type “Memory Diagnostic” in the search box and launch the app from the search results.
- A new pop-up window will appear. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended) option to start the memory diagnostics. Make sure to save any documents you have open before clicking this button!
- When your computer boots up again, the memory diagnostics tool will try to identify any errors and issues regarding your RAM. If an issue is found, it’ll be reported to you right away.
Method 3. Use the SFC and DISM commands
The leading cause for blue screen errors is corrupt system files. With the System File Checker (SFC scan for short), you may effortlessly repair them. This utility scans your system for all files and replaces them with the original, unaltered files.
The SFC scan can detect and fix damaged system files, but you can also use the DISM program to target other locations of your device where corrupt data may be stored. By running these commands together, you’ll have a great chance of fixing the blue screen error at hand.
- Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
- Type Command Prompt in the search box. When you see it in the results, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator. When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.
- Type in the following command and press Enter to execute it: sfc /scannow
- Wait for the System File Checker to finish scanning your computer. In the case of a discrepancy, the utility will restore system files and fix all errors related to them.
- Next, you need to execute the DISM command. Simply type in the following line and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
After you execute the commands, wait for the processes to finish. Upon completion, close the Command Prompt window and restart your device to see if the system thread exception not handled error has been fixed.
Method 4. Run the CHKDSK command
To fix your computer, run Check Disk. The “chkdsk” command aims to find and resolve disk problems, which may assist you in fixing the BSOD issue at hand.
- Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key on your keyboard while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). You may also need to hold down the Fn (function) key on certain devices.
- From the Choose an option screen, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
- Type in the following command and press Enter to execute it: chkdsk C: /r
- Wait for the scan to complete, and then see if the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error shows up when you boot your computer again.
Method 5. Update your drivers
It's conceivable that the computer's hardware drivers are obsolete, or that the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL stop code is caused by a rogue or malfunctioning device driver. Check for outdated drivers, or update all of your device drivers at once.
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen to bring up the Start menu. Choose Settings, or alternatively use the Windows + I shortcut.
- Click on the Update & Security tile. This is where you can find most of your Windows Update settings.
- Go to the Windows Update section, and then click on the View optional updates link if available.
- Expand the Driver updates section, and review what drivers currently need an update. To update the drivers, simply place a checkmark next to them, and then click the Download and install button.
- Allow Windows 10 to update your drivers, and then reboot your computer.
Method 6. Scan your system for malware
To scan your computer, you can use the built-in Windows Defender application. We recommend investing in dedicated antivirus software if you want to do a deep scan. Here’s how to scan your computer using Windows Defender on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.
- Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
- Type in Windows Security and launch it from the search results.
- Switch to the Virus & Threat Protection tab using the home screen or the menu in the left-side pane. Click on the Scan Options link.
- Select the Full scan option. This is going to check every single file on all of your drives to ensure no threats can hide. Take note that this scan may last over 1-2 hours, depending on how many files you have on your system.
- Click on the Scan now button to begin the scan. If a threat is detected, Windows will automatically quarantine or remove it entirely. You can review the scan results afterward.
Method 7. Use System Restore
Your system may have stored a restore point before the blue screen error happened. In that case, you’ll be able to return your system to that state. This could fix the problem, as it's like traveling back in time before a system error took place.
- Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
- Type in System Restore and click on Recovery from the search results. This should be on the top, in the Best match category.
- This will take you to the Control Panel. Here, click on the Open System Restore link that can be seen in the Advanced recovery tools section.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore a past point in time. You can select a restore point yourself, or use the recommended one if Windows 10 shows the option. Don’t forget to check what files and applications will be affected!
- After choosing the options you’re happy with, click on the Finish button and wait for Windows to restore your computer. You’ll be able to tell whether or not this worked after your computer restarts with the loaded restore point.
Method 8. Reset or Refresh Windows 10
Resetting Windows 10 is the last resort for a PC that won't recover from a blue screen error. You don't have to worry about losing your files or data since you may choose between two options: making a clean reset (which deletes everything) or saving your personal files and applications.
Our experts recommend trying to save as much as possible before opting for the full reset — unless you don’t mind getting rid of your files in the first place.
- Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key on your keyboard while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). On certain devices, you may need to hold down the Fn (function) key as well.
- Navigate to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC from the Choose an option screen.
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Pick from one of the available options, and then follow the on-screen instructions to reset or refresh Windows 10. After the process is complete, you should be able to boot into your system without the loop happening.
Do you want a fresh Windows installation? Check our How to Install Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or 7 Using a Bootable USB guide for detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to install Windows.
Did you know? If you purchase Windows from the SoftwareKeep store, we’ll help you install it for free! This is your best bet when it comes to reinstalling your system, as a fresh OS is less prone to crashes, blue screen errors, and other problems.
Final thoughts
If there are any questions left unanswered or problems not addressed, please feel free to reach out — our team of experts would love to help! In the meantime be sure to keep up with all things tech by checking back for more articles about troubleshooting, and following us on social media.
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