Blue Screen of Death: “Driver Power State Failure” Error

Are you tired of dealing with frustrating computer crashes and Blue Screens of Death (BSODs)? If so, you’re not alone. The “Driver Power State Failure” error is a common problem that can strike at any moment, causing your PC to freeze and display a creepy blue screen. In this article, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and possible solutions to fix this pesky issue.

What is a “Driver Power State Failure” error?

A “Driver Power State Failure” error occurs when a device driver fails to transition from a power-on state to a power-off state, or vice versa. This can happen when a device driver is faulty, outdated, or compatibility issues arise. The error can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:

1. Outdated or corrupt drivers: Failing to update device drivers can lead to compatibility issues, causing the “Driver Power State Failure” error to occur.
2. Hardware conflicts: Conflicting hardware configurations can cause device drivers to malfunction, resulting in this error.
3. Overheating: If your computer is overheating, it can cause device drivers to fail, leading to this error.
4. Malware infections: Malware can compromise device drivers, causing them to malfunction and trigger this error.

Symptoms of a “Driver Power State Failure” error

When you encounter a “Driver Power State Failure” error, you’ll typically see a Blue Screen of Death with the following error message:

“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you.”

This error may also cause your computer to:

1. Freeze or become unresponsive
2. Display a Blue Screen of Death with the error message
3. Crash or shut down unexpectedly
4. Display a “STOP 0x9F” error (also known as a “ Driver Power State Failure” error)

How to fix a “Driver Power State Failure” error

Fixing a “Driver Power State Failure” error can be a challenge, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve this issue:

1. Restart your PC: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. Try restarting your PC and see if the error persists.
2. Update device drivers: Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause this error. Use the built-in Device Manager to update drivers:
   • Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager
   • Expand each category and look for devices with a yellow or red icon
   • Right-click on the device and select “Update driver”
3. Disable and re-enable devices: Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling devices can resolve the issue:
   • Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager
   • Expand each category and select the device you want to disable
   • Right-click on the device and select “Disable device”
   • Wait for 10 seconds and then re-enable the device
4. Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan: This scan can help identify and fix corrupted system files:
   • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
   • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
5. Run a Driver Verifier: This tool can help identify problematic drivers:
   • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
   • Type verifier /enable and press Enter
   • Follow the prompts to enable Driver Verifier
6. Check for overheating: If your computer is overheating, it can cause this error. Check your computer’s temperature and consider cleaning dust from your PC’s fans.
7. Malware scan: Run a full scan with your antivirus software to detect and remove any malware infections.
8. System restore: If none of the above steps work, try performing a System Restore to a previous point when your PC was functioning correctly.
9. Reinstall Windows: If all else fails, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

The “Driver Power State Failure” error can be frustrating, but by following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can resolve this issue and get your PC back up and running smoothly. Remember to always keep your device drivers up-to-date, and consider running regular System File Checker and Driver Verifier scans to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future.