How to Fix the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" Blue Screen Error on Windows 11

Updated by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

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Introduction

A blue screen of death (BSOD) error, such as the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error, or an unexpected shutdown, can be a frustrating issue. Anyone experiencing this inconvenience is likely to be annoyed, as the rebooting process becomes an endless loop. Though it usually occurs during startup, it can also happen while you're working on an important project, thus potentially wiping out all your hard work.

What may seem like a complicated issue can be resolved by getting to the bottom of it. However, if you're wondering how to fix the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) error in Windows 11, you've come to the right place. Let's get started!

Please read:

What is the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" Error?

The "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error is primarily caused by issues with memory. IRQL stands for "Interrupt Request Level," which Windows uses to signal events that need immediate attention. This error occurs when a device driver attempts to access a memory location for which it does not have the required permissions or access rights.

Since memory allocation for processes is usually bounded, the “NOT LESS OR EQUAL” part of the error indicates that the driver attempted to access an address beyond or above its boundaries.

Related reading: Windows 11 White Screen

What is the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error?

The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL issue in Windows 11 can be caused by various factors, including:

- Another reason for the issue could be an incomplete installation of the application. - Incompatible device drivers are another possible cause for this problem. If your device drivers are not in sync with your system, this issue might occur. - The error might be due to corrupted system files. - If your computer has any damaged system files, the issue is most likely to occur. - Faulty or incompatible hardware is another possible reason for this issue. If you attempt to use damaged or hardware that's not compatible with your computer, errors might arise.

Next, we'll provide more solutions to fix the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen error. You can click the button below to share with more people.

How to Fix the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" Blue Screen Error?

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is one of the most frustrating errors in Windows 11, especially when it causes your computer to repeatedly restart. You can fix the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" BSOD error on Windows 11 by following these steps:

#1. Using SFC and DISM Commands

This method involves two steps. First, you need to run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to fix any issues with the virtual machine, which helps to recover your system. Then, use the System File Checker (SFC) command to fix any problems with the installed Windows files.

To fix a BOSD error on your PC using the DISM tool, follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu on the taskbar. From the drop-down menu, select Windows Terminal (Admin). Then, click on the Yes button to proceed.

Step 2: From the tab bar, select the downward arrow (Chevron) symbol, and then choose the Command Prompt option by clicking on it.

3. To restore the system image, type DISM /Online Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, and press Enter.

Note: You must be connected to the Internet to restore a bootable backup. Also, this command might download some files in the background. Depending on your computer and your Internet connection, the DISM tool might take a few minutes to finish.

Once the DISM process is done, it's time to run the SFC scan to resolve your current predicament.

Step 4: To run the SFC command, type SFC /scannow, and then press Enter.

Note: The SFC scan might take a few minutes to finish. After the scan, restart your computer and check if the issue still persists.

#2. Launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic

Since blue screens tend to occur when there's a problem with your memory, it makes sense to test your RAM to rule out any possible issues.

To troubleshoot a blue screen, run the Windows Memory Diagnostic by following these steps:

Step 1: First, access the Search menu, look for "Windows Memory Diagnostic," and select it from the search results list. Then, click on Open to launch the tool.

Step 2: Click Restart now and check for problems to restart your computer and run the diagnostics.

Click “Restart now” and check for the problem.

Step 3: Your computer will restart and run the memory test. If there is a problem with your RAM, it will provide a detailed report upon restarting.

#3. Update the driver through Device Manager

Outdated or recently updated drivers can cause problems with your computer. If you recently updated a driver, try rolling it back to see if that fixes the problem. Otherwise, if your drivers are out of date, you need to update each one manually.

Step 1: Open Device Manager by searching for it in the Search menu.

Step 2: Locate the category of the component for which you recently updated the driver, and then double-click to expand it. Double-click the entry to open its Properties.

Step 3: Next, in the Properties window, select the Driver tab. Then, click on Roll Back Driver to undo recent updates. If you want to update the driver, click on the Update Driver button.

Click Update driver.

Step 4: Click the Search automatically for updated driver software button to have Windows search for the driver on its network immediately.

Note: If you have the latest drivers installed on your computer, select Browse my computer for driver software, and then use File Explorer to locate the files.

Click on “Search for the driver automatically” (Image source: Partition Manager, width 500, height 301)

Then you have to repeat the process manually to update all the drivers on your system.

#4. Run Partition Master to Scan Disk Errors

If the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error still appears after trying these fixes, it's likely that there's an issue with your hard drive. Since this is a memory-related problem, it's highly possible that the drive or one of its partitions is causing the trouble.

To resolve hard drive issues that lead to a Blue Screen, you'll need a third-party tool. While there are numerous options available in the market, finding a secure one can be a challenge. However, in this scenario, the Partition Master Tool can come to your aid.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a partition manager that can scan and fix issues with your HDD, SSD, SD card, and HDD partitions on your computer. With this software, you can perform a hard disk health check anytime. It comes with a "Check File System" feature that helps detect errors in your disk partitions and automatically fixes them to resolve computer issues like "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL."

Step 1: Launch Partition Master on your computer. Then, right-click the partition that you want to check and select “Advanced” > “Check File System.”

Select "Check Partition":

<Step 2> In the Check Disk window, select the option to Try to fix errors if found, and then click Start.

Step 3: The software will now check the partition file system on the disk. When done, click 'Finish'.

In addition, you can use the System File Checker to check and enhance the health and status of your hard drive. Apart from that, the Partition Master tool helps you resize partitions with ease.

Here are some of the main features of Partition Master:

• You can freely adjust partition size by swiping left and right, or input the exact size.
• It formats or deletes partitions to reuse HDD, SSD, USB, memory card, or SD card.
• Combine small partitions into one large partition to solve low disk space issue.
• It's also the best data eraser software to wipe all data on hard drive thoroughly.

To fix BSOD errors like the Windows 11 Blue Screen on your PC, you need to download Partition Master, thanks to its quick and user-friendly interface.

Conclusions

Since this issue is quite common among Windows 11 users, it's easy to fix, so don't worry too much if you encounter it. You can use the methods discussed in this article to fix the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL blue screen error on your PC.

Additionally, we recommend using the Partition Master tool for Windows 11 boot repair, as it ensures safety and prevents data loss. You can also use this tool to resize partitions and erase hard drives.