How To Fix The DPC Watchdog Violation Error In Windows 10 ?
Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:
- Step 1 : Download PC Repair Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
- Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
- Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.
Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.
Wally’s Answer: Windows 10 has seen an amazing adoption rate with 14 million devices already running Windows 10 only twenty four hours after its release. Windows 10 had to go through a long period of beta testing before it was released, but it still has a few issues. Here we will look at the DPC Watchdog Violation error.
Problem
The DPC Watchdog Violation error is usually caused by driver issues.
Cause:
Many people have been seeing the DPC Watchdog Violation error due to a problematic Synaptics touchpad driver. This error can be caused by other drivers as well.
Solution
Here are some ways to solve the DPC Watchdog Violation error:
Get Free Help Online On TechNet
When this blue screen occurs, Windows 10 should make a dump file with data about the crash in:
You can ask a question in Microsoft’s help forum TechNet. Attach the dump file and ask someone to identify the problem. Someone on the forum should be able to tell you which driver is crashing your computer.
If you can’t get to the desktop to copy the dump file then try starting your computer in Safe Mode first.
The Touchpad Driver Problem And “ DPC Watchdog Violation “
Many users have observed that this error appears when they try to use the touchpad on their laptop. Try not to use the touchpad and instead use a USB or Bluetooth mouse or the keyboard to navigate.
If Windows 10 won’t start normally, then start the computer in Safe Mode. Uninstall the touchpad driver once you are able to get into Windows. You can do this from the Device Manager:
- Press the Windows Key typedevice manager click Device Manager
- Click the arrow next to Mice and other pointing devices
- Right-click the touchpad driver and click Uninstall
This should help stop the crashes. You will just need to wait until they release an updated version of this driver that is compatible with Windows 10. Until then, you’ll need to disable updates for this driver. Otherwise, it’ll automatically update and you’ll be in the same mess again.
Disable Updates For The Touchpad Driver
Here’s how to prevent the touchpad (and other) drivers from updating automatically:
- Press the Windows Key type advanced click Advanced System Settings
- Click Hardware Device Installation Settings
- Click the radio button No let me choose what to do under the text Do you want Windows to download driver software…
- Click Save Changes
I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On
Is Your PC Healthy?
I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.
Happy Computing!
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Fixing a DPC Watchdog Violation on Windows 10
Many users of Windows 10 report the incidence of a DPC Watchdog Violation. They must deal with the Blue Screen error and a 0x00000133 bug check code, a frustrating issue many users find difficult to resolve.
The Computer will automatically restart, preventing you from saving all your crucial data or any task you worked on when the error occurred.
Recommended: To easily install drivers automatically, use the tool below.
Here is a detailed guide on understanding the DPC watchdog violation error, why it occurred, and how to resolve the issue successfully.
What is a DPC Watchdog Violation error?
A DPC Watchdog Violation is an error occurring in your Windows system. DPC is the abbreviated form for Deferred Procedure Call. Watchdog denotes Bug Checker, which helps monitor all Windows processes and the background performances. Its check value is about 0x00000133.
The violation message appears when it waits longer than usual such as over 100 microseconds. It will show the error message if it does not find a response.
Why Do I Keep Getting Dpc Watchdog Violation? What Causes It?
Several factors can cause the dpc watchdog violation error message. Here are the factors that lead to a DPC Watchdog error in Windows 10:
- The blank blue screen error, also known as BSOD error (Blue Screen of Death), is due to hardware incompatibility in your PC or laptop. You will find the popup screen when you connect incompatible hardware such as an AMD Graphic card, NVIDIA, or even an external drive.
- If the firmware or driver of the hardware you are connecting to your device is not supported by your device, you will find the BSOD popping up. This can happen when you connect the external hardware for the first time or even when you connect hardware after a couple of months.
- The conflict between two software applications can also cause a violation error. If the software you are installing in your device is incompatible with software present in your device already, it can cause the DPC watchdog violation blue screen error. You can find the details for this in the device manager.
- Corrupt system files may also contribute to this issue. Your system files may get corrupted for several reasons, but malware infection is the most common.
As you can see, the factors behind the bug trigger are plenty. You can face the issue while updating your Computer or installing software, which can also occur randomly.
DPC Watchdog errors can be caused when the system needs to refresh all its hardware drivers. It may also occur when your drive has files that your present Windows 10 version does not support.
How to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation Error
There are several ways to fix the DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD error.
Fix 1: Change Standard SATA AHCI controller
This method is used when the cause of the error is a connected storage device or your computer’s memory.
To deal with this situation, you must change the Standard SATA AHCI controller. This is a driver responsible for data exchange between your system’s storage devices and its memory.
The driver acts by verifying the compatibility of the data and providing an efficient output. You can quickly fix the DPC Watchdog violation error by changing the SATA AHCI driver. Here are the steps to perform this change:
Press the X button and Windows key button simultaneously.
Choose the ‘Device Manager’ option in the menu page that opens.
When you go to the Device Manager option, expand the IDE ATA ATAPI controller feature here.
Expand the controller feature and select Standard SATA AHCI controller under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. Use right-click the Standard SATA AHCI Controller and click properties.
To ensure you have chosen the suitable controller from the driver, choose Driver software details from Driver Tab. Check whether iaStorA.sys is under the driver list. Now click on the OK button to exit.
In the Driver tab, choose the ‘Driver’ option and click on the ‘Update driver’ feature on the IDE ATA ATAPI controller.
Next, select Browse my Computer for the driver software option.
Now choose, ‘Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.’
After choosing “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer,” choose ‘SATA AHCI Standard Controller’ and select the ‘Next’ button to update the driver software. Complete the procedure onscreen.
Restart your system. To avoid the error from recurring again, it is best to repeat this procedure every time there is a Windows update.
Fix 2: Update your drivers
If an old firmware version is present in your Solid State Drive (SSD), which your Windows 10 does not support, you have to update the SSD firmware version to avoid the DPC watchdog error. Here are the steps:
Press the Windows button and E simultaneously to open File Explorer or choose Computer/My/This PC from the desktop.
Find the Computer from the panel’s left side and use right-click to open it. Choose the Manage option.
In the popup window that appears, choose the ‘Device Manager’ option present on the left side.
how to fix dpc watchdog violation error windows 10-dpc watchdog violation windows 10
In the list that opens under Device Manager, choose SSD. Note down the crucial details, including model number and related information.
Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the necessary updates needed for the SSD driver.
Fix 3: Run Event Viewer
The Event Viewer can help you identify the cause of the DPC violation error that displays the blue screen of death.
Press R and Windows Key simultaneously and enter ‘eventvwr.msc’ in the Run box. Click on ‘OK’ to open the Event Viewer.
Find Windows Logs from the left side of the panel. Choose the ‘System’ option.
You can find the logs with Errors or Warnings marked in the central part of the panel. You can then diagnose the cause behind the violation error.
This will help you identify and choose the proper troubleshooting method to rectify the dpc watchdog violation error.
Fix 4: Scan your hard drive for disk errors
Corrupt system files are the key reason behind most DPC watchdog violations in Windows 10. So you have to check your Computer for corrupt files or disk errors to try and fix the DPC Watchdog Violation error. Here is how you do it:
How to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation Windows 11
Press Windows R on your keyboard to open the Command Prompt feature and enter the following
Now press the ‘Enter’ option.
The system will prompt you to restart your Computer or schedule a convenient time for resuming. Select accordingly and press Enter.
This process may take some time to complete when you do this for the first time. However, when you restart your Computer, verifying the files and identifying the corrupted ones will be easy.
Fix 5: Check Software and Hardware Compatibility
While you may expect an external device to work smoothly right from the time you start using it, this is not. You may face a violation error, and the drive may not be compatible with the hardware or software present in your device. Here is a simple way to resolve this issue.
Hardware Compatibility – If you are using multiple devices, you must plug in the device one by one and check their compatibility to identify the driver causing the error.
When you identify the particular device, you can check its specs, find out about compatibility with your system, and exchange it for another compatible device.
Software Compatibility – For software conflicts causing the violation error, you use the trial and error method as in the hardware compatibility testing. Once you identify the software, uninstall and restart your system to determine if the error persists. If this does not work out, follow the steps below:
Press Windows Key and R buttons simultaneously after opening the Windows Run feature.
Go to ‘Control Panel’ by entering it in the dialog box, and press ‘Enter.’
Choose Uninstall a Program option from the control panel
In the applications list, under the ‘Uninstall a Program’ feature, find the software you had installed earlier by checking the installation date and time present on the top portion of the table.
You can uninstall the programs you suspect are causing the issue from the time and date they were installed.
Once you uninstalled the program, restart the system to determine if the issue has been rectified.
The above five steps will take care of the DPC Watchdog Violation that has been frustrating you. If the above steps are ineffective, you can also use a professional repair tool for PC error correction. But the above steps are simple and can be done to rectify the error effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Fix Attempted Switch From DPC?
The “Attempted Switch from DPC” blue screen error often happens when the Computer shuts down during crucial initialization processes led by Windows 10.A DPC routine will try to undertake a prohibited operation and cause the crash. The fix is usually straightforward:
Update all of your drivers.2. Perform a hard uninstall of McAfee Antivirus and tools.3. Re-Install the latest Windows 10 Update
How Do I Fix Stop Code Clock Watchdog Timeout?
This error is usually caused by a buggy 3rd party application or program and often happens when gamers install mods or add-ons to their favorite games.
The fix again should be relatively simple:
Step 1: Install the available Windows Update.Step 2: Update device drivers.Step 3: Remove any third-party anti-virus program.Step 4: Set the BIOS settings to the default stage.
What is a DPC Watchdog violation?
The DPC watchdog error on Windows 10 is a common problem and is often caused by unsupported devices, hardware issues, unsupported SSD firmware, or a corrupted Windows installation file.
How to fix the DPC Watchdog violation?
This common issue on Windows 10 can be fixed by installing the proper drivers for your devices, checking for driver errors, and running the System File Checker tool to eliminate any corrupted system files.
How to Fix a DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD
No one enjoys facing the BSOD, or the blue screen of death, but it’s a part of life for Windows users. It happens when the system faces a glitch it doesn’t know how to handle, and the system shuts down. The “DPC watchdog violation” BSOD is a good example of this.
The good news is that it can be fixed, and without too much difficulty or technical know-how required.
What is a DPC Watchdog Violation?
DPC is short for Deferred Procedure Call. The “Watchdog” part of the error refers to the part of the program that watches for bugs. The problem originates from a solid state drive that was incompatible with Windows. It can crop up from time to time, most often due to hardware issues.
The violation takes place when Windows doesn’t receive a response from hardware or some computer component fast enough. Updating a driver and checking connections can help straighten out these problems.
Remove All External Devices
The DPC Watchdog Violation can be caused by an incompatible drive or device. Remove any external devices (minus the mouse and keyboard). If you have hooked up a new external hard drive, a printer, or another accessory, disconnect it from your computer and then restart.
If the problem doesn’t happen again, then you can deduce the problem lies with one of the devices. Connect them one at a time until you can pinpoint which device is causing the error.
Check Cable Connections
One step in correcting a DPC Watchdog Violation is to make sure your power cables and data cables are securely connected within your PC. This isn’t difficult to do, even for total beginners. Open the side of your PC case and look for cables that are hanging loose.
Apply slight pressure at connection points to ensure a solid connection has been made. If cables are loose and you aren’t sure where they should connect, check your PC’s manual.
For more detailed information, refer to our ultimate guide on building a custom PC. If a cable is loose and the system cannot receive a response to a query, it’ll throw the violation.
Check Device Drivers
An outdated or faulty driver can make it impossible for the system to receive the response it needs. If you have experienced the DPC Watchdog Violation on a regular basis, make sure all of your device drivers are up to date.
Open Control Panel Device Manager and go through the list of devices. Right-click any device in the list and choose Update driver from the menu options that appear. You should check all of your devices, but pay particular attention to external hard drives. These are a common source for this error.
Replace the iastor.sys Driver
Under the driver menu, expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and select the item with SATA in its name. Choose Properties from the menu, and then select the Drivers tab. Choose Update driver Browse my computer for drivers Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
You can choose from a list of software, or you can select the recommended option. In most cases, the recommended driver is the correct choice. Select Next and wait for it to finish installing. You will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Windows recommends replacing this particular driver, as it is a known culprit of the DPC Watchdog Violation error.
Perform a Disk Check
If the cable and driver updates did not correct the problem, your next step should be to perform a disk check on your entire system. Do this by opening the Command Prompt. Press Windows R to open the Run menu, and then type cmd to open the Command Prompt. Once open, enter the following:
If your hard drive partition is something other than C:, just replace the C: with the correct drive name.
This will perform a check on your system that looks for and repairs any issues within the logic of your drive. In many cases, this simple command can solve the DPC Watchdog Violation.
Update Your OS
The DPC Watchdog Violation is often caused by outdated and faulty drivers, so ensuring your operating system is up to date–and that you have access to the latest software offered for your devices–can help eliminate the frequency with which you encounter the error.
Open Settings Update Security Windows Update and then click Check for updates. If there is a Windows update available, go ahead and download it. Despite the huge amount of bad press Windows updates tend to generate, they are necessary for the security of your computer.
Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
One of the primary causes for the DPC Watchdog Violation is incompatibility between programs and hardware. Thankfully, Windows has a built-in tool that will help you ensure all of the various components work with one another.
Open Settings Update Security Troubleshoot Additional troubleshooters Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. Click the troubleshooter and then click Run the troubleshooter.
You can choose the program that’s causing trouble from the list. If you don’t see it, select Not listed and browse through your file folders until you locate it. The tool will then attempt to diagnose any incompatibility issues between the program and the hardware.
If you run into the DPC Watchdog Violation and it crashes your PC, it can affect your productivity, especially if you’re working from home like so many are. Try these different methods to resolve the issue and once more make your PC experience seamless.
How to Resolve DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD Error
Many Windows users have reported that they are experiencing the DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD error. Don’t worry, this article will introduce you the detailed 5 ways to get rid of this error.
By @Yuka Last Updated February 28, 2023
What Is Blue Screen DPC Watchdog Violation?
DPC Watchdog Violation is a common blue screen error which can be caused by a variety of reasons. DPC refers to Deferred Procedure Call. Watchdog refers to the error checker that typically monitors or tracks your Windows programs and your PC’s performance.
If you encounter this error frequently, it will affect your productivity. Therefore, the best thing to do is to find out the cause and fix it. If you don’t know how to fix this problem, you can read this complete guide about DPC Watchdog Violation Error in order to solve this problem.
Why Is There A DPC Watchdog Violation Error?
Before you learn the solution, you can find out what causes you to encounter this DPC watchdog violation error:
- In most cases, you will see this error when your device drivers are out of date or installed incorrectly. For example, if you don’t have a graphics card driver installed for your new operating system, a DPC Watchdog violation can easily occur when you try to watch a video online.
- In some cases, hardware that is not compatible with your operating system may also be the cause. For example, if your external hard drive is no longer supported by Windows 10, or if you recently installed a new hardware device on your old computer, you may also see a DPC Watchdog violation error.
- Sometimes, this error can be caused by a software conflict, although not as common as the two causes above.
Fixes for DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD
Below you will find 5 fixes for you to try. You may not need to try them all, just work your way down until you find the one that works for you.
Fix1. Remove All External Devices from Your Computer
As mentioned above, the DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION Windows 10 error may be caused by a hardware conflict. If you have a newly installed external hard drive, external solid state drive, printer or scanner on your computer, you should remove or disconnect all these external devices. Then restart your computer.
To determine which one is the culprit, you can check by connecting one device at a time. If a DPC watchdog violation error occurs after connecting one of the devices, you can remove it to fix the problem. After that, you can connect other devices.
Fix 2. Update SATA AHCI Controller Driver
In addition, one cause of DPC watchdog violations is outdated drivers for your hardware devices. You should verify that all your devices have the correct, up-to-date drivers and update those that do not. According to the majority of Windows users, this is the most effective way to do this.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows X at the same time, then click Device Manager.
- Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers. Right-click SATA AHCI controller and click Properties.
- To verify that you’ve chosen the correct controller: go to the Driver tab, click Driver Details.
- Make sure the iaStorA.sys is listed as a driver. Click OK to exit.
- Click Standard SATA AHCI Controller, then click Next. Finish the rest of the procedure as instructed.
Fix 3. Update the SSD Firmware
Nowadays, many people use SSDs on their computers to get high performance and fast running speeds. However, unsupported SSD firmware can cause DPC Watchdog to violate Windows 10’s blue screen error. If you are in this situation and then experience a DPC watchdog violation error, you can try updating the SSD firmware to fix the problem.
- On your keyboard, press Windows X at the same time, then click Device Manager.
- Expand the Disk drives. Note down the Model number of your SSD.
- Go to the manufacturer’s website and search for the new version of the firmware.
- Download and install the firmware for your drive.
Fix 4. Perform A Disk Check
All blue screen of death errors can indicate a disk problem. You may want to make sure your disks are in good condition. You can run the CHKDKS command to check for disk problems.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows R at the same time to invoke the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Ctrl Shift Enter at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator.
- On your keyboard, type chkdsk /f /r, then press Enter.
Fix 5. Run the Event Viewer
This method will not provide you with a solution, but you may be able to find the culprit driver or device that is causing your DPC Watchdog violation blue screen error.
- On your keyboard, press Windows X at the same time, then click Event Viewer.
- On the left side of the panel, click Windows Logs, and then System.
- In the middle part of the panel, you will be able to some entries. Check the ones marked by Error or Warning, then you should be able to see the detailed information of what exact went wrong at a certain time range.
Back Up Your Computer Ahead of Time. Just in Case
In the process of using computers, many users encounter various different problems. The blue screen error is considered one of the more serious ones. Some of the problems are easy to solve, but some very serious problems are not good to find a solution.
To avoid encountering similar stop code DPC watchdog violations in the future, it is recommended that you back up your computer regularly. Alternatively, you can create a bootable media in advance. This way, if you encounter similar system problems next time, you can quickly restore your computer to a normal state with the help of this bootable media and system backup.
AOMEI Backupper Standard is a free backup and recovery tool that you can use to easily create Windows 10 system backups and bootable media. It has very easy steps to follow, so even a computer novice can get started quickly. You can refer to the illustrated steps below to see how to use it.
- Download AOMEI Backupper, install and launch it. Then, click “System Backup” under the “Backup” tab.
- The program will select the system and boot partition as source by default. Then select a destination path to save the system backup. You can modify the “Task name” to distinguish it from other backup tasks.
Conclusion
Overall, if you encounter a DPC Watchdog violation BSOD error on Windows 10, you can fix it immediately using the above method. It is also recommended that you take a daily backup of your computer after fixing it. If you encounter a similar blue screen problem next time, you can use the system backup to quickly get your computer back to normal.
The software mentioned in the article has features such as cloning and synchronization in addition to backup. If you want to upgrade your computer disk, you can use it to migrate your system or data, and the whole process is very safe. You don’t have to worry about losing data or not being able to boot from the cloned disk, etc. Come and try it out.
