Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions
Windows stop code DPC watchdog violation is a Windows error in which you see a blue screen with an error code. When this error occurs, the computer restarts automatically prevents you from saving any task you were working on and refuses to turn back on.
DPC is abbreviated for Deferred Procedure Call, and Watchdog designates Bug checker. The bug checker computes all the Windows processes and background performances. Now, the error message appears on the system when the bug checker waits longer than usual for the processes.
To be able to fix the error, you need to understand what is causing the issue. The article features different aspects of stop code dpc_watchdog_violation error. It includes the possible causes and the best solutions possible. Moreover, it also showcases how to retrieve lost data when the error occurs.
There is no one technical reason that leads to windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error. Also, this is where it gets tricky to solve the blue screen issue. From software incompatibility to outdated drivers, the reasons could be many. As mentioned earlier, you need to know about some of them to be able to solve the issue. Here are some of the common causes of this blue screen error.
1. Outdated Drivers
If it has been long since you updated your drivers, it may lead to stop code dpc_watchdog_violation. It would be best if you update your drivers manually or automatically using a third party application.
2. Hardware Incompatibility
One of the frequent causes of the error is that your Windows OS isn’t compatible with a hardware device that you might have recently installed. Remove the device and check if it solves the dpc_watchdog_violation error.
3. Outdated Firmware of SSD
The firmware version of the SSD must be updated. There is a chance that the firmware version for hardware that you're connecting to your computer is not compatible.
4. Software Conflicts
Sometimes, when you install a new software application that offers a similar set of functions to your computer, you get a stop code dpc_watchdog_violation error. If you have two antiviruses on your computer, the error may arise.
5. Corrupt System Files
If you have corrupted or missing Windows system files, your computer might find it hard to boot properly. This results in a dpc_watchdog_violation error.
Here are some of the best solutions based on the source of the windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error.
As briefly mentioned earlier, you might have installed a hardware device such as a printer, scanner, or any external hard drives that are incompatible with the system. Disconnect external devices and restart your system. If it starts-up without stop code dpc_watchdog_violation error, then it’s great.
Now, connect all the external devices one after another and observe which specific device was causing the issue. Once you get the culprit, connect the rest of the external devices to your computer.
If you change the SATA AHCI driver, you might be able to get rid of the windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error. Now, follow the steps mentioned below to change the SATA AHCI controller.
Step 1: First, tap on the 'Windows' and 'X' keys simultaneously. Now, select the device manager from the menu.
Step 2: Locate and click on the IDE ATA/ ATAPI controllers.
Step 3: Select the SATA AHCI controller and choose 'Properties.'
Step 4: Now, navigate to the Driver tab and tap on Drive Details.
Step 5: Check if ‘iaStorA.sys’ is listed as a driver and tap on ‘OK.’
Step 6: Now, click on ‘Update Driver.’
Step 7: Select the ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ option.
Step 8: Click on ‘Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.’
Step 9: Tap on ‘Standard SATA AHCI Controller’ and click on ‘Next.’
Step 10: Now, restart the computer to make the changes.
If the above list of steps solves the dpc_watchdog_violation error, then this might have been the issue the whole time. If it doesn’t, move to the next solution.
Like in any blue screen issue, corrupted system files could also give rise to dpc_watchdog_violation error. You can use the command prompt to check if the system files are corrupted or not. Follow the steps below to check whether the system files are corrupt are not.
Step 1: To open the command prompt, write 'cmd' in the Windows search box.
Step 2: Right-click on the command prompt and select ‘Run as administrator.’
Step 3: Write ‘SFC/scannow’ and click on ‘Enter.’
The process might take some time, so you must wait for a while. After the completion of the process, if you don't find any corrupted files, terminate the process. If it does show a corrupted file that should have been repaired automatically, restart the computer to make the change.
People often use SSD (solid-state drive) on their computer for faster processing speed and best performances. However, sometimes an incompatible SSD firmware also leads to windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error. Well, one way to resolve the error is updating the SSD firmware and the steps are as follows.
Step 1: To open the 'Run' dialogue box, tap on Windows + R keys.
Step 2: Write ‘msc’ in the space and press ‘Enter.’
Step 3: Click on the ‘Disk drive’ to expand the option.
Step 4: Write down the model number of your SSD.
Step 5: Now, visit the manufacturer’s website and search for the new version of the same model number.
Step 6: Click on ‘Download’ and install the new version of SSD.
After installation, restart the computer to check if it solves the issue.
A technical glitch in the hard drives could also be affecting the system files of your computer. If it corrupts the system files, it may lead to dpc_watchdog_violation error. To check if it has any errors, you can run a disk check utility tool in Windows 10, which is as follows.
Step 1: As earlier, type in 'cmd' in the Windows search box.
Step 2: Right-click on the command prompt and select ‘Run as administrator.’
Step 3: Write ‘chkdsk c: /f’ and press ‘Enter.’
Step 4: Now, write ‘Y’ and click on ‘Enter.’
As briefly mentioned earlier, if you download two software applications with similar functionalities, it may lead to windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error. Moreover, if you think the issue has arisen after installing any new application or upgrading an existing one on your computer, you must remove it.
It can be frequently witnessed in a scenario where people had downloaded two antiviruses on your computer. But as soon as they deleted one of them, restarted the computer, the blue screen issue was gone.
One of the best ways to check if there’s an issue with your driver or device is Event Viewer. It is a feature in Windows 10 which gives a detailed analysis of all the applications on your computer. You can follow the steps below to access the Event Viewer.
Step 1: Click on the Windows + X keys at the same time and tap on ‘Event Viewer.’
Step 2: Now, tap on the 'Windows Logs' located on the right side of the screen.
Step 3: Now, click on the ‘System’ and you’ll see a list of events marked by Error/Warning in the middle of the panel.
The list will give you the details of the error's occurrence, and you'll be able to find the reason for the windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error.
An incompatible hardware device or software application could easily result in the corruption of Windows OS. And the corrupted operating could result in BSOD errors, including windows stop code DPC watchdog violation.
If you connected any external device such as a USB flash drive, you must remove them all. Now, check if it solves the blue screen issue, If it does, connect all the devices one-by-one and observe which particular device is causing the issue.
Moreover, if you have recently updated or installed a program or application, you may want to remove them to check if it solves the issue. If you can’t find the problem causing application, you can use system restore to get back to the previous working state.
A significant loss of system files and other documents is possible in dpc_watchdog_violation error. But if you have the right tools, you can retrieve all the lost data. Although you can find numerous ways to recover lost data, Recoverit Data Recovery software is among the best in retrieving different types of data files. Whether it’s audio, video, or word document, you can recover them all.
Now, to recover the lost data, you must first download the application and launch it on your system. Double-click on the Recoverit logo and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Select a Location
To find the unsaved or lost data, you need to choose the location from where you lost your files under the 'Select Location' option. Now, click on the 'Start' tab to initiate the process.
Also, if you know the exact location of the lost data, you can ‘Select Folder’ in the ‘Select Location’ tab.
Step 2: Scan the location
As soon as you click on the 'Start' tab, Recoverit initiates the thorough scan. Now, if you see your lost data files, you can pause or stop the process any time in between.
Step 3: Preview and Recover
Recoverit allows you to get a preview of all the files that feature the file size, type, date modified, and more. When you are assured of the files that you wanted, you can simply click on the 'Recover' button.
It would be best if you save the data files at a different location. Now, tap on ‘Save’ to store it at a different storage location.
Now you know that windows stop code DPC watchdog violation error is not an unsolvable issue or as it might have looked earlier. Next time you come across the error, you can follow all the methods mentioned in the article. As there’s a high possibility of data loss in such cases, you can use Recoverit to retrieve any lost data from your computer.
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David Darlington
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