If you’re working on anything and suddenly get a blue screen, you’re dealing with the DPC Watchdog Violation issue. The DPC Watchdog Violation problem has been reported by several Windows users.

When Windows 10 was first released, the DPC watchdog was a common problem. So, what is the DPC Watchdog Violation Error and how do you cure the unpleasant DPC Watchdog Violation Error? The acronym DPC stands for “Deferred Procedure Call.”

It usually keeps track of or monitors the performance of Windows programmes and computers. When the bug checker watchdog identifies a DPC that is running too long, a violation occurs.

It has become one of the most common mistakes in the Windows industry. You are not the only one who is having trouble with your computer’s windows. It can happen because of unsupported SSD firmware, an old SSD driver version, hardware incompatibility, or corrupted system data.

Error

The DPC Watchdog Violation issue can sometimes be caused by a software conflict. There’s no need to be concerned; the DPC Watchdog Violation error can be resolved. When working with an SSD Windows PC, you should verify the firmware version of the SSD and ensure that it is up to current.

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Understanding the Meaning of DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD Error:

The DPC Watchdog Violation error is a Windows 10 stop code error that indicates a problem with Deferred Procedure Call (DPC) execution. DPCs are routines that handle time-sensitive tasks, and when they are not executed as expected, it can lead to system instability.

When this error occurs, your Windows 10 computer encounters a critical issue that cannot be resolved without a restart.

The blue screen appears with the error message, and your computer restarts to prevent potential damage to the system. This error signifies that a DPC took too long to complete or encountered an error, causing the system to halt.

Common Causes of DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD Error:

  1. Outdated or Incompatible Drivers: One of the most common causes of this error is outdated or incompatible drivers, particularly for hardware components such as the graphics card, network adapter, or storage controllers.
  2. Faulty Hardware: Hardware issues, such as a failing hard drive, RAM module, or motherboard, can trigger the DPC Watchdog Violation error.
  3. Software Conflicts: Certain software applications, especially those related to security or system optimization, can conflict with DPC execution, leading to the error.
  4. Windows Updates: In some cases, a failed or incomplete Windows update can result in DPC-related issues.
  5. Corrupted System Files: Corrupted system files or a damaged Windows installation can cause this error to occur.
  6. Overclocking: Overclocking the CPU or GPU beyond stable limits can lead to hardware-related errors, including DPC Watchdog Violation.

How to Fix a BSOD Error Caused by DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows

The DPC Watchdog Violation Error was fixed by a Windows update, however not all system configurations were affected. Even yet, some users are experiencing a DPC Watchdog Violation Issue.

If you receive a BSOD with the error DPC Watchdog Violation, try the following solutions to resolve the issue:

Method 1: Perform a complete driver reinstall by first uninstalling them with Display Driver Uninstaller.

There are two scenarios that can occur in this case. The first is for when you can log in, and the second is for when you can’t. If you wish to fix the DPC Watchdog Violation problem, you’ll need to start Windows in safe mode.

You should have a DDU installed and saved on your desktop if you can log in. Only after that can you enter safe mode. If you are unable to log in, restart the computer in a safe mode so that it can load with the necessary drivers and settings.

However, always check that DDU is installed on your machine before booting into safe mode.

Windows 8 and Windows 10

In Windows 10, you must first create a Windows installation disc and then boot from it to get into safe mode. If you’re able to log in:

  1.  In the lower right corner, click the start button.
  2. Keep the shift key pressed.
  3. To access Advanced Options, select Shutdown-> Restart.

If you can log in, restart the computer and interrupt it when the Windows logo appears. For the next three times, interrupt it. “Preparing Automatic Repair” will appear when you complete this task. When it appears, come to a halt and wait for the system to respond.

For Windows 7 and earlier

Restart your computer and keep pressing F8 until you get the Advanced Boot menu. If this option does not appear on the screen, restart the process by tapping the F8 key repeatedly until you see it. Select safe mode when this option appears.

You’ll be able to log in to safe mode after that. Once in safe mode, either transfer the DDU file to your desktop in a new folder or store it to a USB, or locate the file where it was downloaded earlier and move it into a new folder so that extracted files remain in the folder; otherwise, it will be extracted to the folder where the contents were saved.

After that, run the display driver uninstaller by clicking the icon. Then choose the card type from the drop-down menu, then Clean and Restart as the first option.

The machine will reboot to normal mode once the driver cleanup is completed. You may now get the most recent driver for your Graphic card from the manufacturer’s website.

Method 2: Update the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller Drivers

According to a wide range of window users, it is the most successful way.

  1.  Press R while holding down the Windows Key.
  2. Open a command prompt and type devmgmt.msc.
  3. Select the SATA AHCI controller from the IDE ATA/ATAPI controller section.
  4. Then select Update Drivers from the context menu by right-clicking on it.
  5. And select Manual Update from the drop-down menu.
  6. When prompted for a location, select Let me choose from a list of devices in my computer from the drop-down menu.
  7. Restart your computer after that.

Following your Windows update, you may need to repeat the procedure. This is a common occurrence. So there’s no need to get all worked up over it.

Method 3: If Available, Update the SSD Firmware

  1. Select the Control Panel from the Start menu.
  2. Select View by small icons from the drop-down menu and look for the system.
  3. From the left panel, select Device Manager.
  4. Select Disk Drives and double-click it.
  5. Copy the model number from the SSD and use Google to look up the firmware.
  6. Look for a specific firmware for your drive, as well as instructions on how to install it.

Method 4: Uninstalling the Synaptic Default Drivers

  1. Press R while holding the window key. Type devmgmt.msc into the search box.
  2. Extend the capabilities of the mouse and other pointing devices.
  3. Select Synaptic SMBus Touchpad from the context menu and select Uninstall.
  4. Restart the computer and wait for Windows to download and install the latest recent drivers.

Easy Methods to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD Error:

Now that we understand the meaning and common causes of the DPC Watchdog Violation BSOD error, let’s explore effective methods to diagnose and resolve this issue:

  1. Update or Rollback Drivers:
    • Access the Device Manager (Win + X, then Device Manager).
    • Identify hardware components with outdated or incompatible drivers (usually marked with a yellow triangle).
    • Right-click on the device, select “Update driver,” and choose to search for updates automatically.
    • If updating drivers doesn’t resolve the issue, consider rolling back to the previous driver version.
  2. Check for Hardware Issues:
    • Run hardware diagnostics tools to identify potential hardware problems. MemTest86 can help diagnose RAM issues, while CHKDSK can check for hard drive errors.
    • Re-seat hardware components like RAM modules and expansion cards.
  3. Uninstall Problematic Software:
    • Identify recently installed or updated software that may have caused the error.
    • Uninstall or disable the software to see if it resolves the issue.
  4. Scan for Malware and Viruses:
    • Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus and antimalware software to ensure your system is free from malware.
  5. Perform Windows Updates:
    • Ensure that Windows is up to date by installing the latest updates from Windows Update, as some updates may contain bug fixes related to DPC issues.
  6. Check for System File Corruption:
    • Run the System File Checker (SFC) utility to scan for and repair corrupted system files:
      • Open Command Prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow followed by Enter.
  7. Undo Recent Changes:
    • If you recently overclocked your CPU or GPU, revert to default clock speeds and test if the error persists.
  8. Reinstall Windows (Last Resort):
    • If none of the above methods resolve the issue, consider performing a clean Windows 10 reinstall. This should be a last resort as it involves reinstalling all software and restoring data from backups.

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Conclusion

DPC Watchdog Violation is a common issue that many users encounter all over the world. To fix this problem, follow the steps outlined above. These procedures will undoubtedly assist you, and if you follow them, you will be able to do your work without any difficulty or complications.