How to Troubleshoot "Driver Irql_Less_or_Not_Equal" Issue on Windows PC

Updated April 2025: Stop these error messages and fix common problems with this tool. Get it now at this link

Download and install the software.
It will scan your computer for problems.
The tool will then fix the issues that were found.

When Windows 10 works well, it works exceptionally well. When it works poorly, you probably see the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD) more often than the desktop. BSOD doesn’t offer much help in fixing the errors that caused it. In fact, Windows reboots the system a few seconds after a BSOD occurs by default. You will be lucky if you find the actual error that caused it.

The DRIVER IRQL_LESS_OR_NOT_EQUAL error refers to several problems that can occur in your system. It means that your driver is having problems communicating with your hardware. There is no universal solution to this error, but there is a chance that one of the following solutions will solve the problem.

Table of Contents:

What causes the “driver irql_less_or_not_equal” error on a Windows PC?

Failed upgrade to Windows 10.
Hardware and software failures.
Outdated or corrupt device drivers.
Damaged or corrupted system file.
Recent changes in software or hardware.

How to fix ‘driver irql_less_or_not_equal‘ problem on Windows PC?

Updated: April 2025

This tool is highly recommended to help you fix your error. Plus, this tool offers protection against file loss, malware, and hardware failures, and optimizes your device for maximum performance. If you already have a problem with your computer, this software can help you fix it and prevent other problems from recurring:

Step 1 : Install the PC Repair and Optimizer Tool. (Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista).
Step 2 : Click Start Scan to determine what problems you are experiencing with your computer.
Step 3 : Click Repair Allto resolve all problems.

Uninstall the network drivers

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the “Run” dialog box.
In the Run dialog box, type devmgmt.MSC and click OK.
Now click on “Network Adapters” in the Device Manager window to expand it.
Right-click on the network device and click Remove.
A confirmation window will appear. Click OK to confirm.
If your system has wireless network adapters, repeat the steps above to uninstall the wireless network drivers.
Finally, restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved or not.

Scan your system for viruses

Go to Start -> Settings -> Update and Security -> Windows Defender.
Under Virus and Threat Protection, select the Advanced Scan option.
Select the “Windows Defender standalone scan” option.
Click the “Scan now” button.

Updating your wireless adapter driver

Press Windows + X -> to open the main menu -> select Device Manager from the list.
Right-click the wireless adapter -> select Update Driver.
Select the option Automatically check for driver software updates -> wait for Windows 10 to download the driver.

Restore corrupted system files

Press Windows + R and type Run -> CMD and press Enter.
Now open a command prompt and run it as an administrator.
At the command prompt, type SFC/Scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scanning process to complete (about 15 minutes).

Reset Windows 10 settings

Open the Start menu -> press the power button -> hold down the Shift key and select Restart from the menu.
If you can’t access Windows 10, reboot your computer several times during the boot sequence to access the advanced Start menu.
Then choose Troubleshooting -> Reset This PC -> Delete All.
If you are prompted to insert the Windows 10 installation media, do so.
And select your version of Windows -> Select only the drive where Windows is installed -> Delete only my files.
You can now see the changes made as a result of the reset. Click the Reset button at startup.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the reset process.

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