Windows is known for its Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, which have irritated users of all operating system versions. The DPC Watchdog Violation Error is one of the most common BSOD errors that many users are experiencing these days.
The most aggravating aspect of this error is that it can lock out users who cannot access their Windows environment. We’ll not only go over what causes this error in Windows 10, but we’ll also go over how to fix DPC Watchdog Violation Error on a Windows computer in this guide.
What is DPC Watchdog Violation Error?
This error occurs due to a conflict between two elements of the Windows operating system: the DPC and the Watchdog. The Deferred Procedure Call, or DPC, is a Windows feature designed to handle disruptions that occur during the startup of an application or a Windows job.
In addition, the Watchdog is a bug detector that continually monitors foreground and background processes on a Windows machine. This enables the Watchdog to monitor the operation and performance of your Windows programs.
When a task is unable to begin due to an issue with the request from the Interrupt Request Level (IRQL), the DPC becomes active and begins organizing the drivers required to complete the job through Interrupt Service Routine (ISR).
The Watchdog, which is designed to monitor this process, waits for a response, and if it takes more than 100 milliseconds, a timeout occurs, and the DPC Watchdog Violation Error appears on your screen.
What Causes DPC Watchdog Violation Error in Windows 10?
The cause behind this issue might be a wide variety of events occurring while multiple apps try to run themselves on your computer. However, the most typical cases are given below:
- Conflicting Applications:
Usually, more than one program uses the same set of drivers or other system files for their correct operation. When you concurrently use such apps on your computer, they might generate conflicts, resulting in latency in response time, and you end up noticing this error on your screen.
- Corrupt System Files:
If your Windows system files have grown damaged or have been erased, you will get this problem on your computer. If you cannot boot correctly due to this issue, then there is a strong likelihood that this error is produced in your computer due to the faulty system files.
- Faulty Drivers:
If the drivers of some components on your computer have become old, corrupted, or are missing, you might also notice the DPC Watchdog Violation Error on your Windows. Usually, this arises due to difficulties with the graphic card drivers of your computer.
- Incompatible Hardware:
Suppose there is hardware connected to your computer which is not compatible with the edition of the Windows operating on your computer. In that case, you might witness this error on your computer. If this issue began appearing after installing new hardware on your computer, that device is undoubtedly creating this error. In such a circumstance, this issue can be rectified solely by resolving the problem associated with the mismatched hardware.
- Outdated SSD Firmware:
If your computer is operating on an SSD (Solid State Disk) drive, then most certainly, this issue is produced due to the outdated firmware of your SSD. Hence, you must ensure that the drivers and firmware of your SSD drive are updated and integrates seamlessly with the version of your Windows.
As you’ve seen, this error can occur in various situations on your Windows computer. As a result, there are numerous solutions to this error. We’ll go over all of these options in this guide so you can get rid of DPC Watchdog Violation completely. Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system.
How to Resolve the DPC Watchdog Violation Error
When it comes to resolving this error in Windows, several options are available. Each of the possible solutions uniquely addresses the BSOD error. Because there are a variety of causes for the DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION BSOD error on your screen, you must first try several fixes before you can successfully resolve the problem. As a result, if you want to remove this error from your computer, go over each of the following possible solutions one by one:
Solution 1: Use the Command Prompt to Repair Windows System Files
Corrupted windows files can cause blue screen errors on a Windows PC. The system files can be corrupted when a computer is turned off incorrectly. This can cause various problems on your computer, including the DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION BSOD error. Thankfully, Windows can scan and repair your Windows system files if any are corrupted. Follow these steps to check for any possible errors in your PC’s system files:
- By using Windows Search, launch Terminal or CMD by searching for it and opening it as admin.
- Type CHKDSK C: /F /R within the Console and hit enter. After that, validate the planned file check by entering Y and hitting enter.
- Now, restart your computer, after which your system files will be inspected for just about any failure.
- When you’re back into Windows again, relaunch the CMD as an admin, type in SFC /scannow, and hit enter.
- This command will then scan and fix all of your PC’s system files one by one, resolving any blue screen errors that may have occurred.
Solution 2: Examine the hardware cables
Because the DPC Watchdog Violation error is firmly attributable to your PC drives and other hardware, ensuring that they are all properly connected is critical. So, first, turn off your computer, then turn it back on.
After that, double-check that all of your hard drive and SSD data cables are correctly connected to the motherboard. You can also do the same thing with the power cables inside your PC that supply power from the PSU. After double-checking that all of the cables are correctly connected, turn on your PC, and your problem should be resolved.
After double-checking that all of the cables are correctly connected, turn on your PC, and your problem should be resolved.
Solution 3: Update the drivers and firmware on your SSD
This error usually occurs on a Windows PC due to a problem with your SSD’s firmware or driver. So, the first thing you can do to fix the DPC Watchdog Violation error is to update the SSD driver and firmware on your computer. You can easily update drivers in your PC’s device manager and download and install the latest firmware from your SSD’s manufacturer’s website. Follow these steps to ensure that your SSD is running the most recent version of drivers and firmware:
Select Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X on your keyboard.
In this, expand Disk Drives and right-click on your SSD, and click Update Driver. This will also upgrade your SSD’s driver to the newest version.
Once that’s completed, visit the website of your SSD’s maker and get the newest firmware file for your SSD and install it. After all this, you really shouldn’t experience the DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION problem on your Windows machine.
Solution 4: Upgrading IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller Drivers
The IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller within your PC is responsible for handling the drives attached to your PC and holding all of your contents. So, if this controller or its drivers are corrupted due to any reason, you’ll start many troubles and faults on your computer. This is a reasonably prevalent explanation for the DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION BSOD issue in Windows. In the event your computer’s IDE ATA/ATAPI drivers are damaged; you should update them by following these steps:
Open Device Manager on your PC using Windows Search.
Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controller section and right-click the controller device.
Select Update driver to update the controller’s drivers to the most recent version, which should resolve any issues.
Conclusion
Windows DPC Watchdog Violation Error should hopefully be resolved now that you’ve read this article. Additionally, we’ve explained what causes this error on your computer to make an informed decision about which solution is best for you.
If you’re using an SSD drive, you’re more likely to encounter this BSOD than using an HDD. But if you follow the instructions in this article, you will be able to fix the DPC Watchdog Violation Error in your Windows computer.