The “Driver Power State Failure” Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) usually occurs when a device driver enters an inconsistent or invalid power state. You may experience this error during system sleep, hibernation, or startup. The error is mostly caused either by outdated or incompatible drivers or power management settings. It can also result from conflicts with third-party software or corrupted system files. No matter under what situation you experience this error, here is how to fix Driver power state failure on Windows 10/11.
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How to fix Driver Power State Failure error
The error is a warning that a device or driver is unable to handle power state changes properly, leading to a system crash to prevent further issues. Outdated or incompatible drivers, malfunctioning hardware, improper power management settings, or corrupted system files are common reasons behind this.
- Drivers that are not updated or conflict with the operating system can cause power state issues.
- Malfunctioning hardware components, like GPUs, network adapters, or peripherals, may not handle power transitions properly.
- Misconfigured power settings, such as aggressive power-saving options, can lead to the error.
- Damaged or missing system files required for managing power states can trigger this issue.
- Security software, overclocking utilities, or other third-party tools can interfere with driver performance.
If the problem started after plugging in some new hardware, try removing it from the PC, and then check if the problem persists. If the problem is resolved, you may want to update the driver of that hardware. In case you have more than one, make sure to check it one by one.
If due to this driver power state failure loop, windows 10 restarts frequently or fails to start normally we recommend Boot Windows into safe mode. Safe Mode loads Windows with the bare minimum set of drivers, which is helpful for diagnosing hardware and driver issues without interference from third-party software.
Adjust Power Management Settings
Windows power management features like sleep or hibernation can cause drivers to fail if not properly configured.
- Press Win + X and select Power Options.
- Select Additional Power Settings on the right.
- Click Change plan settings next to your current power plan, then select Change Advanced Power Settings.
- In the Advanced Settings window, expand PCI Express > Link State Power Management and set it to Off.
- Click Apply and OK, then restart your computer.
In addition, Disable Power Saving for Drivers following steps:
- Open Device Manager and find the device causing the error (typically under Display Adapters or Network Adapters).
- Right-click the device and choose Properties.
- Go to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the box labelled Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK and restart your PC.
Update or Roll Back Drivers
Outdated or incompatible drivers are a common cause of the “Driver Power State Failure” error. Device drivers are essential for communication between your hardware and Windows, and outdated or corrupted drivers can disrupt power state transitions.
To Update Drivers:
- Press Win + X and choose Device Manager.
- Find the device that might be causing the error. It could be your graphics card, network adapter, or another peripheral.
- Right-click the device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will attempt to find and install the latest driver for the device.
- Restart your computer to see if the error is resolved.
Or visit the device manufacturer’s website, download the latest available driver software and install it on your PC. Reboot windows and check there is no more BSOD error occurring.
To Roll Back Drivers:
If the error began after a recent driver update, it’s possible that the new version is incompatible with your system. Rolling back the driver might fix the problem.
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the device and select Properties.
- Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.
- If the option is grayed out, you may not be able to roll back, in which case updating or reinstalling the driver is the better option.
Check for Windows Updates
Windows updates often include important fixes for hardware compatibility and driver issues. Ensuring your operating system is up-to-date can resolve conflicts related to the “Driver Power State Failure” error.
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install any pending updates and restart your computer.
Disable fast startup Windows 10
The Fast Startup feature in Windows 10 can sometimes interfere with device drivers and cause errors. Disabling this feature may help resolve the issue.
- Open the control panel, then search for and select power options
- Click Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended)
- Click Save Changes.
Check this may help to fix the driver power state failure loop.
Run DISM and SFC Utility
Corrupt or missing system files can cause instability and disrupt power management. Running the System File Checker (SFC) tool can identify and repair these files.
- Open Command prompt as administrator,
- In the Command Prompt, type
sfc /scannow
and press Enter. - Wait for the scan to complete. SFC will automatically repair any detected issues with system files.
- Type DISM commands below and press the enter key to execute the same.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
After the process finishes, restart your computer.
Restore the System to an earlier state
If the error appeared after installing new software, drivers, or system updates, performing a System Restore can roll back your system to a stable state before the error occurred.
- Press Windows Key + R and type”sysdm. cpl” then hit enter.
- Select the System Protection tab and choose System Restore.
- Click Next and choose the desired System Restore point.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore.
Outdated BIOS/UEFI firmware can cause compatibility issues with hardware power management and lead to the “Driver Power State Failure” error.
- Visit your motherboard or system manufacturer’s website to check for any BIOS/UEFI updates.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to update your BIOS/UEFI. This process varies by manufacturer, so be sure to follow the correct procedure.
- After updating, restart your computer and check for any improvements.
Be cautious while updating firmware as it can be a critical process.
To Preventing Driver Power State Failure in the Future
- Keep Drivers Updated: Use trusted tools or Windows Update to maintain driver compatibility.
- Avoid Unnecessary Software: Install only essential programs to minimize conflicts.
- Use Reliable Hardware: Replace malfunctioning components promptly.
- Regularly Update Windows: Ensure the OS is up-to-date with the latest patches.
- Monitor Power Settings: Avoid aggressive power-saving configurations for critical devices.