Windows BSOD Error 0x0000000A — IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

The 0x0000000A blue screen error means a driver or program tried to access memory it should not have. This is also called IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. It usually happens because of a faulty driver, bad RAM, or a recent software change.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1
Windows Server

Common Causes

A hardware driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your version of Windows
A recently installed program or driver is conflicting with the system
Your computer's RAM (memory) is faulty or failing
A Windows update changed something that conflicts with an existing driver
Overclocking your CPU or RAM is causing system instability

How to Fix It

Restart your computer. Sometimes this error is a one-time glitch caused by a temporary memory conflict.

If the blue screen only happened once and does not come back, you are probably fine.
Undo any recent changes. If you installed a new program, driver, or hardware device right before the crash, uninstall it or remove it.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and sort by install date to see what was recently added.
Update your drivers. Open Device Manager (right-click Start button > Device Manager), look for any devices with a yellow warning icon, right-click them, and choose 'Update driver.'

Pay special attention to display (graphics card) drivers and network drivers — these cause this error most often.
Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. Type 'Windows Memory Diagnostic' in the Start menu search and run it. Your computer will restart and test your RAM.

This test takes about 15 to 20 minutes. If it finds errors, your RAM stick may need to be replaced.
If the error keeps happening, try System Restore. Type 'Create a restore point' in the Start menu, click 'System Restore,' and pick a date before the crashes started.

System Restore does not delete your personal files. It only undoes system-level changes like driver and software installs.

When to Call a Professional

If you keep getting this blue screen after trying all the steps below, your RAM or another hardware component may be failing. A technician can run advanced hardware diagnostics to pinpoint the problem. RAM replacement is usually affordable, costing $20 to $60 for most laptops and desktops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL actually mean?

In simple terms, a program or driver tried to use a part of your computer's memory that it was not allowed to access. Windows crashes with a blue screen to protect your system from damage. The most common cause is a buggy or outdated driver.

Can this blue screen damage my computer?

No, the blue screen itself does not damage your computer. It is actually a safety measure that shuts things down before real damage can happen. However, if the underlying cause is bad RAM, that hardware issue should be fixed.

How do I know which driver is causing the problem?

When the blue screen appears, Windows sometimes shows a file name like 'ntoskrnl.exe' or a driver name. Write down that name if you can. You can also check Event Viewer (type it in the Start menu) and look under Windows Logs > System for critical errors around the time of the crash.