DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x000000D1)
What is this error?
A kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at an IRQL that was too high. This is a specific driver bug, different from IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.
Common causes
- buggy network driver
- antivirus driver conflict
- Wi-Fi adapter driver issue
- VPN kernel driver
- firewall driver
How to fix it
- Check minidump for faulting driver
- update network drivers
- uninstall VPN/firewall temporarily
Too many steps? Crashless can diagnose this automatically — checks your drivers, temps, VRAM, and 400+ known error patterns.
Get free AI diagnosis Detailed analysis
Bug check 0x000000D1 (DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL) means a specific driver tried to access memory it shouldn't at a high interrupt level. Unlike 0x0000000A, this BSOD always has a driver name in the minidump.
Most commonly caused by network-related drivers (Wi-Fi, VPN, firewall).
How to fix it:
- Check the minidump (C:\Windows\Minidump) — the faulting driver name is in parameter
- This tells you exactly what to fix
- Common faulting drivers and fixes:
- If a VPN driver is the cause (many VPNs install kernel drivers): uninstall the VPN temporarily
- Update all network adapter drivers from the manufacturer, not Windows Update
- If the faulting driver is part of your antivirus, switch to Windows Defender temporarily
- Run 'sfc /scannow' to repair any corrupted system network files
When to seek help
If this error keeps happening after trying the fixes above, it may point to a deeper hardware or system issue. Consider professional help if:
- The crash occurs across multiple games or applications
- You see the same error after a clean Windows install
- Your PC is less than a year old (could be a warranty issue)
- You smell burning or hear unusual sounds from your PC
Or let Crashless do the deep analysis for you -- our AI checks drivers, temps, event logs, and 400+ known patterns automatically.
Chat with AI about DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x000000D1)
Describe your setup and get a personalized diagnosis in seconds. Free, no signup needed.
Get AI diagnosis Chat with AI about this error
Describe your setup and what you were doing when the crash happened. Our AI checks against 400+ known crash patterns — free, no download needed.
Let Crashless handle it
The desktop app scans your drivers, temps, VRAM, event logs, and 400+ known patterns — then walks you through the fix step by step.
