Addressing Persistent DPC Watchdog Violation and BSOD Errors on Your Windows PC
If you’ve recently built or upgraded your Windows-based computer and started experiencing frequent Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, specifically related to the DPC Watchdog Violation, you’re not alone. This guide aims to help users troubleshoot and resolve this common but often perplexing issue, especially when it occurs after BIOS or driver updates.
Understanding the DPC Watchdog Violation Error
The DPC Watchdog Violation (error code: 0x00000133) typically indicates that a “Deferred Procedure Call” (DPC) or system watchdog timer has detected a delay or hanging process. This often points to hardware or driver conflicts, especially after system updates.
Common Symptoms:
– Frequent BSOD crashes, sometimes multiple times per day
– System sluggishness or unresponsiveness
– Errors pointing to nvlddmkm.sys, which relates to NVIDIA graphics drivers
Case Context
Many users, including those with high-performance configurations like AMD Ryzen 9 CPUs and RTX 4090 GPUs, report encountering this issue post-BIOS or driver updates. The problem can stem from incompatible driver versions, BIOS settings, or hardware conflicts.
Troubleshooting Steps
- Restore or Roll Back Drivers
Since your error references nvlddmkm.sys, start by rolling back your NVIDIA graphics driver to a previous stable version:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand “Display Adapters”
- Right-click your NVIDIA GPU and select “Properties”
- Navigate to the “Driver” tab
- Click “Roll Back Driver” if available
Alternatively, download an older driver version directly from NVIDIA’s official archive.
- Perform a Clean Driver Reinstallation
Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to fully remove current graphics drivers:
- Download DDU from a reputable source
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Run DDU to uninstall all NVIDIA drivers
- Restart your PC
-
Download and install the latest stable driver directly from NVIDIA
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Update or Reconfigure BIOS Settings
Incorrect BIOS configurations can cause system instability:
- Ensure your BIOS is updated to the latest version compatible with your motherboard
- Reset BIOS settings to default
-
Disable or adjust settings related to PCIe or scheduled tasks that may interfere
-
Check for Windows Updates
Ensure your Windows OS is fully updated:
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