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0x0000000ASeverity: Medium

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

A driver or system process tried to access memory it was not allowed to use, usually because of a faulty driver.

Quick answer

The Windows stop code IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x0000000A) means: A driver or system process tried to access memory it was not allowed to use, usually because of a faulty driver. If it happened once, restart and keep an eye on it. If the blue screen repeats, follow the steps below; it is usually fixed by updating or removing a driver or program.

Before you start: note the stop code shown on the blue screen. If Windows will not start normally, it usually opens Automatic Repair after two failed starts; from there choose Advanced options to reach Safe Mode or System Restore.

Is it serious? Can I keep using my PC?

Severity: Medium

If it happened once, restart and keep an eye on it. If the blue screen repeats, follow the steps below; it is usually fixed by updating or removing a driver or program.

Common causes

  • Faulty, outdated or incompatible driver
  • Faulty or incompatible RAM
  • Conflict with antivirus, VPN or system utility software

How to fix it

  1. Restart the PC. If the blue screen happened only once and does not return, no further action is usually needed
  2. Find the faulting driver: check Event Viewer and the dump files in C:\Windows\Minidump
  3. Update or roll back the driver of the faulting device in Device Manager (look for yellow warning icons)
  4. Install the latest Windows updates
  5. Test the RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe)
  6. Uninstall recently installed programs, especially antivirus, VPN or system tools

Frequently asked questions

What does IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL mean?

The Windows stop code IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x0000000A) means: A driver or system process tried to access memory it was not allowed to use, usually because of a faulty driver.

Is IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL serious?

Severity: Medium. If it happened once, restart and keep an eye on it. If the blue screen repeats, follow the steps below; it is usually fixed by updating or removing a driver or program.

How do I fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL?

Start with these steps: Restart the PC. If the blue screen happened only once and does not return, no further action is usually needed; Find the faulting driver: check Event Viewer and the dump files in C:\Windows\Minidump; Update or roll back the driver of the faulting device in Device Manager (look for yellow warning icons); Install the latest Windows updates; Test the RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe).

Related codes

0x1E KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLEDA program running in the Windows kernel caused an error that it did not handle.0x50 PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREAWindows tried to use memory that does not exist or is not available, often due to a driver, security software or faulty RAM.0x109 CRITICAL_STRUCTURE_CORRUPTIONWindows detected that critical kernel code or data was corrupted.0x19 BAD_POOL_HEADERThe memory pool used by Windows has become corrupted, usually by a faulty driver.0x3B SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTIONAn error occurred while a system service was running, often caused by a driver (frequently graphics) or security software.0x3F NO_MORE_SYSTEM_PTESWindows ran out of system page table entries, usually because a driver is not releasing memory.0xBE ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORYA driver tried to write to read-only memory.0xC2 BAD_POOL_CALLERA driver or program made an invalid memory request.0xC5 DRIVER_CORRUPTED_EXPOOLA driver corrupted the system memory pool.