IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL 🪟 Windows

Blue Screen: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (Stop code 0x0000000A)

A driver accessed memory at an interrupt level where that’s not allowed — almost always a faulty or incompatible driver, sometimes bad RAM.

Seen on: Windows

Meaning

This stop code means kernel-mode code (usually a driver) touched pageable or invalid memory at a high IRQL. The crash dump names the module responsible far more often than the blue screen does.

Common causes

  • Faulty/outdated network, graphics, storage or antivirus driver
  • Recently installed hardware or driver update
  • Overclocking or unstable XMP memory profile
  • Defective RAM

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Note any driver name on the blue screen (e.g. ndis.sys, nvlddmkm.sys)
  2. Update or roll back that driver
  3. Undo overclocking / disable XMP
  4. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86

Detailed fix by platform

Windows

  1. Find the faulting driver in the minidump (WinDbg):
    text
    1. Install WinDbg from the Microsoft Store
2. Open C:\Windows\Minidump\<latest>.dmp
3. Run:  !analyze -v
4. Look at MODULE_NAME / IMAGE_NAME — that driver is the prime suspect

How to diagnose

  1. Module — Which driver does the dump blame?
  2. Recent change — New hardware, driver or update?
  3. Stability — Overclock/XMP enabled?
  4. RAM — Memory test results?

🧠 Still stuck? Analyze your error

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