DPC Watchdog Violation errors were very common when Windows 10 was first released. So much so that Microsoft had to release an update to tackle it. Originally it was caused by an SSD driver that was found to be incompatible with Windows 10. It is actually a repeat of an issue that occurred in Windows 8 when that was released too. If you find you need to fix the Windows 10 error DPC Watchdog Violation, this tutorial is for you.
The actual syntax is ‘DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION’ and the error usually results in a memory dump being taken and a BSOD.
Fix Windows 10 error DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION
The original fault was with the IDE ATA/ATAPI controller installed with Windows 10. The fix was to use a different driver.
1. Navigate to Control Panel, Hardware and Sound and Device Manager.
2. Open the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers section.
3. Select the controller that says ‘SATA AHCI’, right click and select Properties.
4. Select the Driver tab and Driver Details. Make sure the driver is ‘iastor.sys’. If it is, carry on. If it isn’t, try another or move on to the next step.
5. Select Update Driver Software, Browse and Let me Pick from a list of devices.
6. Select ‘Standard SATA AHCI Controller’ from the list and install.
This process addresses the vast majority of DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION errors in Windows 10. Otherwise, performing driver updates across the board is also considered effective. As a last resort, some users have also said updating their motherboard BIOS has also fixed the error.
Learn more about Windows 10 with these tutorials:
How to remove Recent Files from Windows 10 File Explorer
How to use Windows 10 without a Microsoft account
How to open firewall ports in Windows 10
Aug 16, 2019 Perform a disk check. Also Disk Errors And bed Sectors on Hard disk Drive Can Cause Different problems include different Blue Screen Errors on Windows computer.
Hi,
Thank you posting your query in Microsoft Community.
In order to assist you better can you share what exact error message you getting?
Please follow few methods in order to fix this issue.
Method 1: Try to boot the computer in Safe mode and see if the issue still persist. Safe Mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers.
Please refer below link on how to boot computer in safe mode.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2809468
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2809468
Note: To exit from safe mode, restart your computer and let the Windows start normally.
Watchdog Blue Screen Windows 10
Method 2: Perform a Clean boot. Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform a Clean Boot.
How to perform a clean boot in Windows
Note: After troubleshooting, refer to this section 'How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting'.
Method 3: If the same issue occurs then restart using the installation DVD.
- Insert the Windows 10 installation DVD in the DVD ROM and restart your computer.
- After you boot your computer using Windows DVD or System Repair Disc, a black screen appears with gray text 'Press any key to boot from DVD'. Press any key.
- Select the correct time and Keyboard type.
- Click Repair your computer in the lower left corner.
- Follow the on screen instruction.
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Do let us know if you have any other queries pertaining to Windows in the future. We will be happy to help.
Thank you.