On Windows 11, if you encounter an error message "Error 0xa:IRQL not less or equal". This is usually due to a problem with one of the hardware drivers in your system, a memory abnormality, or a conflict in your antivirus software.
When we encounter this problem, we can usually fix it with the following methods:
Windows Update and Driver Update.
Disable services and startup items in the system settings.
DISM and SFC command-line tools.
Windows Memory Diagnostics.
Try removing your antivirus software.
Reinstall the graphics driver.
Install the latest updates
Includes updates to the operating system and drivers.
Install system updates
In Windows Update in the system settings, turn on "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" and click the "Check for updates" button.
Quick note:If a known issue causes a bug that Microsoft may have already updated in preview to resolve the issue, you can turn on this feature to update.
Install driver updates
Under the Optional Updates section of the Windows Update settings advanced options, check for available drivers and other updates. ** and install.
After completing these steps, restart to see if the error persists.
Perform a clean boot
Conflicts can also occur from other non-Microsoft applications, which can trigger an "irql" error. A "clean boot" is the process of excluding problems caused by other third-party applications at startup with minimal drivers and applications.
To perform a clean boot on Windows 11, use the following steps:
Search for msconfig and click the top result to open the System Configuration app.
Click the Services tab.
Check the Hide all Microsoft services option.
Click the "Disable All" button.
Click the Launch tab.
Click on the "Open Task Manager" option.
Select each enabled application.
Click the "Disable" button.
Restart your computer.
If the error no longer occurs after completing these steps, you can re-enable one service at a timeor Launchuntil you find the one that's causing the problemproject
Repair the installation
When one or more files in your system get corrupted, you may also encounter the "irql not less or equal" error. If this is the case, repairing the installation using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) command-line tools can resolve the issue.
The specific steps are as follows:
Search for "cmd", right-click on the top result, and select the "Run as administrator" option.
Type the following command: dism online cleanup-image restorehealth
Then type the following command to fix the installation: sfc scannow
Once these steps are completed, the DISM tool will scan and repair the files of the local image containing the system files, and the SFC tool will repair the installation using the system files from the image.
For more information about DISM and SFC, please refer to my previous article ".
Run memory tests
Windows 11 with the following steps:
Search for "Windows Tools" and click on the top result to open the folder.
Double-click the Windows Memory Diagnostics tool.
Click on the "Reboot Now and Check for Issues" option.
Once these steps are completed, the system will launch and run a "Standard" mode test in the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, which should be sufficient to determine if the memory is faulty. You can also use the "F1" key to open the page at any time to change the scan options.
Once the test is complete, the computer will restart. Use the following steps to view memory diagnostic results:
Search for Event Viewer and click on the top result to open the app.
Expand the Windows Logs category.
Right-click on the "System" item and select the "Find" option.
Confirm the "memorydiagnostics-results" keyword and click the "Find Next" button.
Click the "Cancel" button.
Double-click the memorydiagnostics-results source on the right.
Review the diagnostic results.
If the results show that "Windows memory diagnostics tested your computer's memory and didn't detect any errors," you can rule out memory issues.
If you're having trouble with the memory, you can try reinstalling the memory on your motherboard. If the problem persists, it may be time to upgrade your system memory.
Remove the antivirus software
The Error 0xa" error can also mean that the antivirus software (except Microsoft Defender Antivirus) is in conflict with the operating system. You can troubleshoot the issue by temporarily uninstalling your antivirus software. When you uninstall the security app, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will be activated automatically.
Reinstall the graphics driver.
Usually, when encountering the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error and other issues, the problem ends up with the graphics driver installed on your computer. So you can also try reinstalling the graphics driver.