Fixing Driver Conflicts Leading to BSOD in Windows 11
Few things are as frustrating as the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows 11. While the blue screen looks slightly friendlier than in older versions, the sudden crash and cryptic error codes can be intimidating. One of the most common causes? Driver conflicts.
When two or more drivers don’t play nicely with each other—or when Windows installs the wrong one—it can crash your system without warning. In this guide, we’ll break down why driver conflicts cause BSOD, how to troubleshoot step by step, provide example error codes, FAQs, and link to credible resources where others have found solutions.
Why Do Driver Conflicts Cause BSOD?
Drivers are the communication bridge between your hardware (graphics card, Wi-Fi adapter, printer, etc.) and Windows. If drivers are:
Outdated
Corrupted
Incompatible with Windows 11
Or clashing with other drivers
…your system can hit a critical failure, leading to a BSOD.
Common triggers include:
Windows Update installing generic drivers instead of manufacturer-specific ones.
New hardware conflicting with existing drivers.
Old software (antivirus, VPNs, utilities) installing outdated drivers.
Common BSOD Error Codes Related to Driver Conflicts
If you’ve seen one of these codes, chances are it’s a driver issue:
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x000000D1)
SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (often linked to faulty GPU drivers)
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE (0x0000009F)
VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (atikmpag.sys or nvlddmkm.sys)
KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Driver-Related BSOD
Step 1: Identify the Driver Causing the Crash
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