Understanding and Troubleshooting High DPC Latency Caused by NDIS.sys Interference in Windows Systems
In the realm of Windows-based PC troubleshooting, persistent hardware and driver conflicts can often lead to perplexing issues—one of which is elevated Deferred Procedure Call (DPC) latency. This can manifest in various system performance hiccups, including audio crackling, stuttering, and network connectivity problems. This article explores a real-world scenario where the system experiences high DPC latency associated with the NDIS.sys driver, while also facing challenges updating network drivers.
System Specifications and Context
The affected system features a high-end build with the following components:
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Elite X870
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D
- Memory: 32GB Corsair DDR5 6000MHz
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4080
- Power Supply: Seasonic Focus 850W
- Network Interface: Built-in Realtek 2.5GbE network card
The core problem involves intermittent audio disturbances—crackles and stutters—and network connectivity instability, especially during system startup (cold boot). Latency analysis tools revealed significant delays attributed to the NDIS.sys driver, which is integral to network drivers in Windows.
Key Symptoms and Observations
- Audio Performance: Persistent crackling and stuttering during system operation, which temporarily resolves after a system restart.
- Network Connectivity: When attempting to update or switch network drivers (both Windows default and manufacturer-specific), the Ethernet interface briefly activates—providing internet connectivity for 2-10 seconds—before dropping and reporting errors such as “Default Gateway not found” or “DHCP server isn’t responding.”
- Driver Behavior: The default Windows driver (dated around 2015) provides stable connectivity after a reboot, though audio issues persist until restart. Attempting to install newer drivers from Gigabyte or Realtek results in short-lived network connectivity, with subsequent failures unless the system is rebooted.
- Additional Checks: Multiple network troubleshooting commands and diagnostics, including ipconfig reviews and hardware diagnostics, show consistent IP and gateway information, yet Windows reports DHCP failures. A new Ethernet card (Intel I210AT) has been ordered as a workaround.
Diagnostic Attempts and Considerations
The troubleshooting process has involved:
- Trying various driver versions (OEM, latest from manufacturer websites)
- Adjusting power management and advanced Ethernet settings (such as enabling/disabling green Ethernet and
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