Fixing PC blue screen with DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION

The DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error in Windows is typically related to driver issues, hardware incompatibility, or system file corruption.

Here are steps to troubleshoot and fix this issue:

1. Check and Update Drivers

  • Update Drivers: Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause this error. Make sure all your drivers are up to date, especially for critical components like the graphics card, network adapter, and storage controllers.
    • Device Manager:
      1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
      2. Right-click on each device and select Update driver.
    • Manufacturer’s Website: Visit the website of your PC or hardware manufacturer to download the latest drivers.

2. Check for Windows Updates

  • Update Windows: Ensure your Windows is up to date, as updates often include fixes for known issues.
    • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
    • Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

3. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

  • System File Checker: This tool scans for and repairs corrupted system files.
    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
      • Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
    2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
    3. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.
  • DISM: This tool repairs the Windows image.
    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    2. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
      • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
      • DISM /Online /Cleanup-ImageType sfc /scannow and press Enter /ScanHealth
      • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    3. Restart your computer after the process completes.

4. Check Disk for Errors

  • CHKDSK: This utility checks for disk errors and fixes them.
    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    2. Type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
    3. Follow the prompts to schedule a scan on the next restart.
    4. Restart your computer to allow CHKDSK to run.

5. Check Hardware Compatibility and Connections

  • Hardware Compatibility: Ensure all connected hardware is compatible with your system and Windows version.
  • Check Connections: Make sure all internal and external hardware components are properly connected.

6. Disable Fast Startup

  • Fast Startup: Sometimes, fast startup can cause issues.
    1. Go to Control Panel > Power Options.
    2. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
    3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
    4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
    5. Click Save changes and restart your computer.

7. Update Firmware and BIOS

  • Update Firmware: Check for firmware updates for your SSD or other hardware components.
  • Update BIOS: Ensure your BIOS is up to date. Visit the manufacturer’s website for instructions and updates.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

  • Clean Boot: This helps identify if a startup program is causing the issue.
    1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
    2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
    3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
    4. Disable all startup items.
    5. Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
    6. Restart your computer.

9. Reset Windows

  • Reset Windows: If all else fails, consider resetting Windows to its default state.
    1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
    2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
    3. Follow the prompts to either keep your files or remove everything.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION error and prevent it from recurring. If the problem persists, it might be worth consulting a professional technician.

Pease view this step by step video:

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