DRIVER_VIOLATION (0x121)
What is this error?
A driver has violated a system rule. This is a generic driver violation code that indicates a misbehaving driver.
Common causes
- driver accessing invalid memory
- driver violating DMA rules
- incompatible driver
- corrupted driver file
How to fix it
- Check minidump for faulting driver
- update or reinstall it
- run sfc /scannow
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 0x00000121 (DRIVER_VIOLATION) indicates a driver violated a Windows system rule. The specific violation is described in the parameters. This is a catch-all for driver misbehavior that doesn't fit into more specific bug check codes. Commonly triggered by: drivers accessing DMA memory incorrectly, drivers violating power management contracts, or corrupted driver files failing integrity checks. Fixes:
- Check the minidump for the faulting driver name,
- Update the driver from the manufacturer's website,
- If recently installed: roll back to the previous version,
- Run sfc /scannow to check for corrupted system drivers,
- Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth,
- If the driver is from a peripheral: try updating the device firmware as well.
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.
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