Fixing IRQL Not Less or Equal Error - 10 Easy Solutions

If you keep getting hit with the IRQL not Less or Equal Code, you're most likely dealing with an outdated driver or operating system. Sometimes, the memory related error can pop up because of your anti-virus. Disable it and see whether this helps.

Although I have not faced the error code before, a friend of mine did. She kept seeing the blue screen of death, along with the error. She panicked and came to me for help. Turns out, she was dealing with corrupted network adapter drivers.

I've run through all the fixes to try below. Keep reading.

How Do You Fix IRQL Not Less or Equal Error Code?

There are several ways to fix the memory address stop code, and they include:

Solution 1: Remove USB Devices

Plugging in incompatible hardware or USB devices can cause the driver IRQL error to appear. All you need to do is remove power cables (or any external devices), restart your computer, then check whether your windows system is still acting up.

Solution 2: CPU Overheating

You may not be facing any serious hardware or software problem. Instead, your CPU may just be overworked. Let it cool down for an hour or two and then try again.

If your computer overheating is something that you struggle with, regularly cleaning your CPU, and closing your system's case can help. You might have to upgrade your CPU fan if it's old too.

Solution 3: Check System Driver

A lot of the time, outdated and incompatible device drivers can cause the BSOD error (blue screen of death). Sorting this is easy. All you need to do is upgrade all your graphics drivers.

You will be able to fix Windows IRQL not less or equal stop code in a matter of seconds:

• Right-click the start menu
• Select Device Manager
• Go through the category of drivers
• Right click on the driver that you want to update
• Click on the Update button
• Select search automatically for Drivers
• Wait for the installation to be done

You should be good to go now. In case you get hit with an error message saying that the latest drivers have been installed already, follow the below steps to double-check this.

Simply:

• Go to Windows Update
• Check for any new driver update
• Download any new firmware you see

Solution 4: Roll back Drivers

If you're dealing with incompatible game controller drivers, updating them will only help if there is new firmware. You can try rolling back the latest update, and going back to a previous version instead.

Here's what you do:

• Press Windows and X at the same time
• Go to Device Manager menu
• Right-click the Hardware device in question
• Select Properties
• Go to the Driver tab
• Tap the Rollback Driver option

Solution 5: Update Windows System

Are you still having trouble? Upgrading your operating system version might help. Along with the BSOD error, you might be dealing with a bunch of other problems as your Windows operating system has bugged out.

Now, you will need a stable internet connection to update your OS. Here's what you do:

• Right-click on the Windows icon on the taskbar
• Click on the Settings button
• Go to Update & Security section, then click on Windows Update
• Select the Windows Updates button
• Hit the Check for Windows Updates button to confirm
• Once you're done, restart your computer

Solution 6: Disable Redundant Antivirus

Sometimes, you may have more than one antivirus program installed. It can interfere with the Windows runtime and Kernel picture, ultimately causing the driver IRQL not less error to appear.

The only way around this would be to uninstall any old anti-virus that you don't use anymore. I would recommend going all the way and getting rid of third-party options and using Windows Defender instead. It's on par with everything on the market, and some users think it's better too.

Here's how to uninstall an antivirus that you don't need:

• Open the search box on the taskbar
• Enter Control Panel into the bar and click Enter
• Select Programs, then go to Programs and Features
• Press and hold on the application that you want to delete
• Select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change
• Follow the instructions that pop up

Solution 7: Modified or Reinstall Network Adapter

I touched on buggy drivers earlier, but corrupted adapter drivers can be responsible too. Although this may seem hard to fix, uninstalling your network drivers and then re-installing them again can help.

Follow these steps:

• Right-click the Start icon
• Pick the Device Manager option from the list
• Choose Network Adapters from the System Manager menu
• Right-click on the Network Device Drivers option
• Select the Uninstall Device command prompt
• Restart your computer
• Windows will immediately reinstall the device driver on the next startup

Solution 8: Reinstall Intel Rapid Storage Technology Drivers

Although I haven't had luck with this, several users that I know have been able to fix the issue by re-installing their Intel Rapid Storage Technology Drivers.

Here's what you do:

• Click OK after pressing both the Windows + R keyboard shortcut
• Type devmgmt.msc
• Open the Device Manager
• Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI entry by clicking on it
• Right-click on the driver entries
• Select Uninstall System from the context menu that appears
• Restart your personal computer and check whether the BSOD error appears

Solution 9: Disable Memory Cache

Write caching can cause the error to pop up. To work around this, disable your computer's memory cache. In case you're wondering, you won't lose any important data in the process.

Here's what you do:

• Press Windows + X buttons to open the Device Manager
• You will find all your hardware drives under the Disk Drives section
• Right-click on any one and then choose Properties
• Click on the Policy tab
• Check the option "enable write caching" off

While you're at it, you can disable windows write-cache buffering too. However, you should only try this if you have a backup power source, like a UPS.

Solution 10: Check Your Memory Allocation

Last but not least, your RAM might be faulty and causing Blue Screen of Death errors.

To check whether your RAM frequency is responsible, you will have to scan your memory card.

There's a built-in tools on Windows 10 that can do this.

Here's how you use the memory diagnostic tool:

• Close all the processes that you have running
• Press Windows key and type Windows Memory Diagnostic into the search bar
• Click on the Restart Now button to check for any issues
• Wait for Windows Boot and Windows Memory Diagnostic to run their scans

If the memory diagnostic tool says that there's an issue with your RAM, you will have to change it. Here's how:

• Get a new RAM card
• Locate your computer's RAM slot
• Align the new RAM module to the slot
• Press down on the cartridge until you hear a click

Alternatively, you can use a third-party tool like MemTest to find out whether you're facing any problems.

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Final Thoughts

The IRQL error pops up Windows 10, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

You should be able to take care of it by either updating more than one driver, or your Windows system.

Sometimes, having an antivirus or anti-malware program running can cause the issue. Go ahead and uninstall it and check whether this helps.

Hopefully you found this guide on how to take care of the IRQL not less or equal error useful.