How to Fix IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL Error in Windows 10/11

The “IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL” error in Windows 10/ 11 usually refers to a fault with the system file integrity. Now, your SSD or HDD, which is responsible for storing essential data on your system, can become corrupted. And it can result in this particular BSOD error on your Windows PC. Although, the solution could also be as simple as repairing corrupted Windows OS files using built-in utilities. There is also a chance that your RAM has become faulty and needs to be replaced. With that said, we have included 7 ways to fix the ‘IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL’ error in Windows here.

1. Fix Corrupted System Files with DISM & SFC

The most common reason you might see the ‘IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL’ error is damaged system files. This can happen out of nowhere, especially if your PC has been shutting down intermittently or forcefully. Thankfully, Windows has in-built tools to alleviate this issue and repair the pre-existing operating system.

2. Perform a System Restore

One of the easiest ways to fix this BSOD is to simply revert to an earliersystem restore point. Even if you haven’t created one, chances are that Windows or some other app did create a system restore point before making changes to your system. So, you can use one of these to restore your system to an earlier state, when the ‘IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL’ BSOD was not occurring. Here’s how to perform a System Restore:

3. Update Windows & Drivers

Updating your Windows as well as device drivers can potentially prevent the BSOD from happening again. To do this, we can use Windows Update and check for the latest updates which also include any new drivers for your PC’s hardware.

4. Run a Memory Test

One of the major causes of the ‘IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL’ error is faulty memory. So, perform this fix to check your memory using the diagnostic tools in Windows itself, as shown below.

5. Check Storage Health; Consider Replacing OS Drive

In my experience, the ‘IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL’ error has been caused many times by a faulty storage drive. If the SSD on which your Windows 11/10 OS is installed on becomes faulty, the OS won’t be able to function in a stable manner and will result in a BSOD error like this one. Here’s how to check your storage health on Windows 10.

6. Clean Install Graphics Drivers

Sometimes, your GPU drivers need to be reinstalled in order to fix the BSOD error we are trying to fix. You should also make sure that all traces of the previous driver and its settings should also be reset.

7. Disable Third Party Services

After using Windows 10/11 for a long time, several services schedule themselves to start as you boot your PC. They can sometimes cause issues, so we will disable third-party services in this fix and make sure Windows only loads the essential system services. Here’s how you can do that:

Beebom Staff

Bringing the latest in technology, gaming, and entertainment is our superhero team of staff writers. They have a keen eye for latest stories, happenings, and even memes for tech enthusiasts.

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