How to Fix Error: DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11

Overview of DPC Watchdog Violation error

▶ What is DPC Watchdog Violation error?

The DPC Watchdog Violation error is a specific Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error in Windows operating systems. The term "DPC" stands for Deferred Procedure Call, which is a mechanism used by the Windows operating system to manage and prioritize tasks efficiently. The primary purpose of DPC is to handle time-sensitive tasks and ensure smooth system performance.

When the operating system detects that a Deferred Procedure Call is taking an unusually long time to complete, it triggers the DPC Watchdog Violation error. This error is essentially a protective measure to prevent a single task from monopolizing the system's resources for an extended period, which could negatively impact overall system stability.

▶ Common causes of DPC Watchdog Violation error

▎Driver Issues
Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted device drivers can lead to DPC Watchdog Violation errors. Drivers are software components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices.

▎Hardware Problems
Malfunctioning hardware, such as a failing hard drive, problematic RAM (Random Access Memory), or other hardware issues, can trigger this error.

▎Firmware Incompatibility
In some cases, outdated or incompatible firmware (BIOS or UEFI) on the motherboard can contribute to the DPC Watchdog Violation error.

▎Software Conflicts
Certain software applications or conflicting programs may interfere with the normal operation of the Deferred Procedure Call mechanism, resulting in the error.

DPC Watchdog Violation error is a mechanism implemented by Windows to prevent system instability caused by prolonged delays in handling time-sensitive tasks. It will heavily drag your working efficiency down and may trigger data loss on hard disk.

7 Ways to fix DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11

The impact of DPC Watchdog Violation is not limited to occasional crashes. It can result in sluggish performance and freezing. So, in this part, we’ll list some solutions to fix the Windows 11 DPC Watchdog Violation error.

1. Unplug any external hardware devices

To begin, remove any non-essential external gear from your PC, such as printers, gaming controllers, and external USB storage devices. You may leave your mouse and keyboard connected, but disconnect anything else. Is the issue still occurring after you have unplugged any external hardware? If not, one of the previously attached peripheral devices is most likely incompatible with your PC. Try reconnecting one device at a time to see which is incompatible. Updating an external device's driver may improve its compatibility with the computer.

2. Run a scan using System File Checker

A SFC scan will analyze your operating system and locate damaged files, allowing them to be removed from your Windows 11 PC. This is how you do this challenge.

Step 1. Use the Windows key + S shortcut to bring up the Windows search bar.

Step 2. Type cmd in the search box to find and launch Command Prompt.

Step 3. Right-click the Command Prompt search result to select a Run as administrator context menu option.

Step 4. Type the following command into the Command Prompt window and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Image-cleanup /Restorehealth

Step 5. Now, scan your computer's system files. Enter the following command and press Return to start a file scan: sfc /scannow

Wait until the SFC scan has completed and an outcome has been presented in the Prompt's window.

3. Run a CHKDSK disk scan

Option 1. Employ CMD to scan disk

Step 1. Open the Command Prompt as outlined in the first three steps of the first resolution.

Step 2. Type in this command and press Enter: chkdsk c: /f /r /x.

Step 3. Press Y and Enter to confirm.

Step 4. Thereafter, select the Power and Restart options on Windows 11’s Start menu.

Option 2. Use a professional disk manager to scan disk

We all know that although Windows users often use CMD CHKDSK command to examine their devices for faults and perform necessary repairs, CMD commands may only be suitable for some users. Besides unfamiliar commands, some might also encounter disk access failure errors. If you're facing issues with CMD checks, consider a secure alternative to Check Disk commands.

Compared with the unfamiliar CMD commands, a free third-party partition manager called AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is more powerful. With wide compatibility with Windows  11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, it allows you to identify and rectify issues while assessing disk performance, which can be done within a few clicks with the help of its user-friendly interface and simple operations.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Download Freeware
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Step 1. Right-click on the partition which you are going to check and choose "Advanced" > "Check Partition".

Step 2. Select the way of checking partition.

Step 3. The operation will be completed successfully in a few seconds or minutes. Click "OK" to finish this task.

Or you can also choose "Surface Test" to scan the whole disk at once.

Step 1. At the main interface, click the "Test" menu and select “Disk Surface Test”.

Step 2. Click Start to do the surface test. You may want to tick Quick Check to perform a fast test.

4. Replace the SATA AHCI device’s driver file

Step 1. First, right-click the Start menu taskbar icon and select Device Manager’s shortcut.

Step 2. Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers to extend that category.

Step 3. Then double-click Standard SATA AHCI Controller, and click the window’s Driver tab.

Step 4. Press the Driver Details button.

Step 5. If the Driver File Details window shows the device has an iaStorA.sys file, you’ll need to change that to a Storahci.Sys one. Click OK to close the window.

Step 6. Press the Update Driver button on the Driver tab.

Step 7. Click the Browse my computer for drivers option.

Step 8. Select the Let me pick from a list of available drivers option.

Step 9. Then select the Standard SATA AHCI Controller within the selection box, and click the Next button.

Now, restart your desktop or laptop.

5. Update the firmware on SSD

Try changing the firmware on your PC's solid-state drive. Open the manufacturer's website for your solid-state drive to get started. Then, from that website's driver & firmware download area, get the most recent firmware for your drive. Simply enter the Disk disk category in Device Manager to obtain model information for your SSD disk. The complete model number of your PC's SSD disk will be published there. To find your SSD, type its model name into the search box on the manufacturer's website.

6. Perform System Restore

Step 1. Right-click Start to select the Run accessory shortcut.

Step 2. Type this text in Run’s Open box: rstrui

Step 3. Click OK to bring up System Restore.

Step 4. Select the Choose a different restore point option, and click Next to continue.

Step 5. Select the Show More Restore Points checkbox if it is available.

Step 6. Select a restoration point that will restore Windows 11 to a time before the DPC_Watchdog_Violation issue occurs on your machine. Alternatively, simply choose the most recent restore point date available.

Step 7. Select Next and Finish to roll back Windows 11 to the chosen restoration point.

Taking a step back Windows 11 will delete applications that was installed after the specified date. This system repair may have removed software that was producing the DPC_Watchdog_Violation error.

You can see what software is uninstalled by selecting the Scan for impacted applications button in System Restore. If you haven't already, consider manually deleting some recently installed software through Programs and Features.

7. Reset your Windows 11

Resetting Windows 11 will return your PC to its default settings and delete any third-party software that did not come pre-installed; however, because you will need to reinstall applications, a system reset is only suggested as a last option.

Step 1. Reboot in Safe Mode, turn your PC back on normally, and then when you see the Windows sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key while you select Restart from the Power icon.

After your PC reboots again, you’ll be presented with the Choose an option screen. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Upon restart, you'll be given a list of options. Select F5 to start your PC in Safe Mode with Networking.

Step 2. First, click Start to open the menu. Select the pinned Settings shortcut

Step 3. Click the Recovery navigation option. Press the Reset PC button to open its utility.

Step 4. Next, select the Keep my Files option (if you prefer to retain your user files).

Step 5. Choose either the Cloud download or Local reinstall option. Press the Next button, and click Reset to confirm.

To sum up

The DPC_Watchdog_Violation error is one of the most prevalent Windows BSOD issues. However, many people have been able to resolve the issue by using the suggested fixes listed above.

However, we cannot guarantee that those methods will be sufficient to eradicate this problem for all users. Those in need of more assistance might use Microsoft's blue screen troubleshooter. More potential remedies for the DPC_Watchdog_Violation problem may be found on that troubleshooting webpage.