Here we will explain a BSoD error: DPC Watchdog Violation Error. Find out the top effective methods to fix the DPC Watchdog Violation Error:
Users experience various errors while using the system including system lag, and runtime errors, along with others.
These errors are very annoying, as these impact the efficiency of the system, so users need to get skilled in troubleshooting such errors as it will simplify the tasks for them. But there are some errors that come under the category of most severe errors and are therefore hard to troubleshoot.
In this article, we will discuss one of the major BSoD errors known as the DPC watchdog violation Windows 10 error. We will also learn the causes and various ways to fix them.
What You Will Learn:
What is DPC Watchdog Violation Error
DPC watchdog error falls under the category of the severe error known as Blue Screen of Death errors or BSoD. The BSOD cannot be completely said to be an error itself as it is an outcome or a preventive measure that prevents users from completing any operation which can harm Windows.
These preventive measures are implemented when users make some serious admin changes, like deleting a Windows system file or changing the default system programs. As in coding languages, if you run an infinite loop, the program crashes. In the same way, if you perform some operation that can harm system files, then BSoD appears.
The DPC Watchdog violation error occurs mainly due to the following causes:
#1) Drivers
The drivers are a crucial part of the system because they allow the hardware and software to sync easily and perform as they are meant to. But sometimes, these drivers create issues in the system which can harm the system, so this BSoD screen appears.
#2) SSD Firmware
The SSD is a very useful device that makes it easier for the users to boost the system speed and process operations faster. But these hardware devices communicate to the system using the instruction set coded in them known as firmware. So if there is an issue with SSD Firmware that can result in data loss, then the system goes into a BSoD state.
#3) Bugs and Virus
The cause of such BSoD errors is mainly a bug present in the system. To fix such bugs, Windows releases updates. You need to apply these updates to take care of these issues. Also, there are various viruses and malicious files responsible for such errors, so one must perform an antivirus check to fix these issues.
Methods to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation Windows 10 Error
There are various ways to fix this error, and some of them are discussed below:
#1) Unplug External Devices
Each autonomous device has a set of instruction coded in it which are known as Firmware, and examples of these devices are pen drives, speakers, Bluetooth, and many more. Have you ever wondered how a pen drive acts on its own when connected to the system? So this is done via firmware.
But sometimes, this firmware does not sync well with the system, which can result in this error. So the most common way to fix this error is to remove all the external devices from your system and then restart your system. Once your system restarts, you must connect all devices one after another and see for which device the error occurs and can change that device after connecting.
#2) Update System Drivers
It’s well known that the major reason for BSoD errors is the issue with the drivers, so you must update all your drivers as this might fix this issue.
Follow the steps listed below to update drivers on your system and fix this error:
Note: This is a dummy method to update drivers, so you can update them easily by following these steps with various drivers.
- Right-click on the Windows button and click on “Device Manager“.
- As displayed in the image below, a window will appear. Right-click on the driver, and then click on “Update Driver” to update it.
When you have updated all the drivers, restart the system and see if the issue is fixed.
#3) SSD Firmware Update
The SSD ( Solid State Drive) is a good alternative for HDD to make your system faster and provide your system a significant boost. But sometimes the SSD firmware does not sync up well with your system.
When the Firmware does not sync up, you must update your Firmware, and this can be done easily by following the steps listed below, or else it will cause a BSOD error.
- Check your SSD manufacturer’s website and then locate the updates column.
- When locating the updates column, enter your model name and number and search for updates.
- Download the Firmware update and install it in your system.
- Now update your system, and the issue will be resolved.
#4) Delete Newly Installed Software
Various applications do not configure with your system, so if your system build is 32 bit and you are using a 64-bit architecture software, then it can result in a BSoD error. You must check the compatibility of all the software and drivers in your system before installing them and remove one after the other to find the one responsible for this error.
#5) Run Disk Check
Windows provides its users with another wonderful feature known as the check disk feature, which allows users to check all drives. With this feature now, it is much easier to use your system in a much-simplified manner and locate various issues and errors in the system.
If your system falls in the BSoD state again and again, then follow the steps listed below to check and fix disk errors:
- Type Command Prompt in the start menu and click on “Run as Administrator” as displayed in the image below.
- A black window will open The syntax is “ chksdk “Drive to be checked” /f,” so type “Chkdsk C: /f” and press Enter.
#6) Run Event Viewer
Event viewer is another wonderful feature by Windows which allows users to keep track of all the error and warning notifications on the system. Along with the error, the causes and the drives affected are also mentioned so users can easily fix the errors.
Follow the steps listed below to run event viewer and fix this error:
- Right-click on the Windows button and click on “Event viewer“.
- Click on “Windows Logs” and then click on “System“. Click on the Error log, read the details about the errors, and find ways to fix them.
#7) Run System Scan
Windows provides its users with a special feature known as Windows system scan, which allows users to scan and fix all the system issues. Also, it displays various messages that hold different warnings, which is a very useful way to look for issues in system files. This feature has also enabled the users to locate issues with the bootup process and broken system files.
So follow the steps listed below to run a system file scan on your system:
Note: Command Prompt (Admin) is required to initiate such commands, so if you are a client machine, you need server permission to run this scan.
- Type Command Prompt in the start menu and click on “Run as Administrator” as displayed in the image below.
- When Command Prompt opens, type” SFC/scan now,” and press Enter, and the system will start running the process as displayed in the image below.
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
- Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation
- Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations
- Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired
Once the system File Scan is completed, you can restart the system and see if your issue is resolved. It can take 10-15 minutes.
#8) Change SATA AHCI Controller
When users have more than one hard disk in their system, it becomes hard for IDE to manage multiple devices. So in such instances, it is advisable to use AHCI(Advanced Host Controller Interface) rather than IDE. It provides users with the features of Native Command Queuing and Hot-swap. Follow the steps listed below to update SATA AHCI in your system.
- Press Windows + X in your system and a dialog box will appear as displayed in the image below. Click on “Device Manager”.
- The device Manager window will open, scroll down and navigate to “Standard SATA AHCI Controller” as displayed in the image below. Right-click on it and then click on Update Driver.
[image source]
Now the driver will be updated and the issue will be resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) How do I fix the DPC watchdog violation in Windows 10?
Answer: There are various ways to make it easier for the users to watchdog violations Windows 10 fix, and some of them are listed below:
- SSD Firmware Update
- Run Disk Check
- Delete Newly Installed Software
- Run Event Viewer
- Run System Scan
Q #2) Can RAM cause a DPC watchdog violation?
Answer: Yes, a damaged RAM can be a possible reason for the DPC watchdog violation error on your system.
Q #3) Can GPU cause watchdog DPC violation?
Answer: Yes, changes in the clock settings of the processor can result in this error.
Q #4) Why does a DPC watchdog violation occur?
Answer: There are various ways to be responsible for this error on your system. Some of the prime causes are listed below:
- Driver Failure
- Bugs and viruses
- SSD Firmware
Q #5) How do I get rid of Blue Screen on Windows 10?
Answer: The major cause of BSOD errors is mainly driver failure, so users must make sure that they keep their drivers updated and keep their system in the updated state.
Conclusion
Each user expects a fast-running system that can provide the most efficient results. But sometimes it can be annoying if you are about to complete your presentation, and the system fails. So you should always make sure that they fix all the issues on their system to avoid similar errors and slow working systems.
Therefore, in this article, we have discussed one of the major errors faced by users, known as the Blue Screen of Death error. Also, we learned various ways to fix stop code DPC watchdog violations.