I've recently upgraded my PC, and ever since early June, I've been experiencing frequent blue screens of death (BSOD) with the error code "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL." I've already tried updating my drivers—there was one missing, but even after fixing that, the problem persists. I've also scanned my RAM with no hardware issues found and attempted some fixes using the console. Just about an hour ago, my PC crashed again while I was just browsing. I installed Bluescreenview, but I'm not sure how to interpret what it shows me. Some online sources suggest it might be related to unauthorized memory usage, but I really want to resolve this without having to wipe everything. I've heard that could work, but I'd prefer to avoid that option if possible. Also, I've got the DMP error files available if anyone can help analyze those.
2 Answers
First thing I'd recommend is checking your motherboard's BIOS. If it seems stable (not freezing or showing weird glitches), update it to the latest version from the manufacturer's website. After that, make sure to install the latest AMD chipset drivers, but only the installer from their support page, as the other versions might cause issues. Once you do that, see if those random crashes still happen.
To really get to the bottom of those BSODs, you'll want to grab those dump files—they're crucial for diagnosing the issues. If you can boot into Windows or even Safe Mode, check for dump files in C:WindowsMinidump. If you find any, zip that folder and upload it somewhere like MediaFire or Catbox.moe, since Reddit tends to blacklist most file hosts. If you don't see any dump files, or only have one, that's okay. Just grab what you can and follow a guide to set your system up to create small memory dumps next time it crashes.
How can I be sure my BIOS settings are stable? Also, I've read that sometimes it's better to roll back to an earlier BIOS version if yours is older (like from 2020). Should I stick with the latest or go for an older option? I freak out about this stuff because I can't afford to mess up my rig.