Getting BSOD IRQL NOT EQUAL OR GREATER from ntoskrnl.exe.

Title: Troubleshooting the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL BSOD Error Linked to ntoskrnl.exe

If you’ve encountered the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with the error message “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” associated with ntoskrnl.exe, you’re not alone. This particular error can be perplexing, especially when it occurs unpredictably during gaming sessions. In this article, we’ll explore potential causes, share diagnostic steps, and provide advice based on specific user reports and troubleshooting efforts.

Understanding the Error

The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error typically indicates a driver or hardware-related issue, often due to improper memory management, faulty drivers, or hardware conflicts. The mention of ntoskrnl.exe—a core Windows kernel process—suggests a deeper system-level problem that warrants thorough investigation.

User Report Summary

A user recently experienced spontaneous BSODs while gaming, with the crash occurring randomly during gameplay with titles like Warframe and Supervise. They provided their system specifications and shared diagnostic dump files for community analysis. Here’s a summary of their system:

Motherboard: B560 DS3H AC-Y1
Graphics Card: Radeon RX 7800 XT
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11700K
Memory: 32GB RAM

Diagnostics and Next Steps

The user has uploaded their dump files for review, which is an essential step in diagnosing the root cause. Analyzing these dump files can reveal if specific drivers, hardware components, or system processes are contributing to the crashes. If you’re experiencing similar issues, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

Update Drivers: Ensure all device drivers, especially graphics and chipset drivers, are up to date from official sources.
Check Hardware Stability:
Run memory tests (e.g., Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86) to verify RAM integrity.
Monitor CPU and GPU temperatures to rule out thermal issues.
System Updates: Keep Windows OS fully updated to incorporate the latest stability patches.
Scan for Malware: Run comprehensive antivirus scans to exclude malicious software interference.
Reset or Reinstall Windows: If persistent issues remain, consider a system reset or clean installation to eliminate software conflicts.
Use Dump Files: Analyze the provided dump files with debugging tools like WinDbg or engage with online communities for assistance.