How to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11

Last updated on March 1st, 2024 at 03:58 pm

It can be frustrating to experience a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when on a Windows device. The DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION error code 0x00000133 is probably the most notable BSOD error. Luckily, there are multiple ways to fix this issue. Here, we will discuss some methods for fixing DPC Watchdog Violations in Windows 11.

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What Is the DPC Watchdog Violation Error of Windows 11?

BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) errors caused by DPC Watchdog Violations are common in Windows 11. In this situation, the Deferred Procedure Call (DPC) routine is taking longer than expected to complete, which causes the system to become unstable.

In BSOD errors, you may see a message that says, “Your PC ran into a problem and needs restarting.” Numerous stop codes are usually displayed along with the message.

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What Causes DPC Watchdog Violations?

An unnecessary DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) occurs when it takes too long to run. This causes the above-mentioned BSOD error code 0x00000133 to occur. The watchdog bug checker has to wait too long for the DPC response, which causes the error code 0x00000133 to occur.

There is a tendency for this issue to occur on PCs with SSD storage. As soon as Microsoft released Windows 11, SSD drive manufacturers had to release updated drivers or firmware. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that Windows 11 is experiencing the same problem.

Although this error occurs mostly on solid-state drives, it can also occur on other types of storage devices, as well. Several reasons can cause this problem, including corrupted system files, incompatible external hardware, and software conflicts.

How to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11

You can resolve your DPC Watchdog Violation error by removing the problematic hardware, but it may not be the easiest solution. Here are some fixes that you can use to troubleshoot DPC Watchdog violation error code 0x00000133 on your Windows PC:

Fix 1: Update Device Drivers

There are a number of conditions that can trigger the BSOD with DPC Watchdog Violation 0x00000133 stop code, such as outdated graphics cards, Wi-Fi adapters, Ethernet, etc. By updating them, you will be able to solve this problem. Here are the needy steps you can follow:

To access Device Manager, press Win + X.
You can expand the options to look for drivers that need to be updated.
To update the driver, right-click on the device and select Update driver.
Afterwards, tap on Search automatically for updated driver software if you want to update online.
To install the newer driver, follow the on-screen instructions.

To find the driver manually if Windows fails to do so, follow these steps:

Go to the manufacturer’s website to download drivers.
Then, install it manually.

Fix 2: Run a System File Checker Scan

SFC scans diagnose Windows 11 and identify corrupted files, thereby removing them from your PC. Here’s how to do it

Using the Windows key + S hotkey, you can bring up the Windows search box.
In the search box, type cmd to find and open Command Prompt.
Thereafter, to run Command Prompt as administrator, right-click the best search result and select Run as administrator.
Afterwards, in the Command Prompt, enter the following command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Now, scan your computer’s system files. If you want to scan your files, type the mentioned command and press Return: sfc /scannow
Ensure that the SFC scan has reached 100 per cent and that an outcome has been displayed in the prompt.

Fix 3: Run a CHKDSK Disk Scan

In order to verify the integrity of files, Check Disk or Disk Checker is used to scan the disk for BSoD errors and fix them. There is a possibility that damaged files are responsible for the DPC Watchdog Violation error. You can help determine if they are liable by running a CHKDSK scan from the command prompt.

Open the CMD using admin rights.
Enter the following command: chkdsk c: /f /r /x
To confirm, press Y and Enter.
From the Start menu of Windows 11, select Power and Restart.

Fix 4: Scan The PC Completely

If the DPC Watchdog Violation occurs because unwanted files are present on your system, a system scan can help resolve the issue. To perform a full system scan, use your antivirus program. If your PC does not have an antivirus, you can use Windows Security settings.

Initially, type Windows Security in the taskbar search box and pick the best result.
On the left, click Virus & Threat Protection.
Click the Full Scan button under the Scan options.
To start the Scan, click Scan Now.

Fix 5: Update BIOS

If your Windows 11 PC is experiencing the DPC Watchdog error code 0x00000133, you can also update your BIOS using these steps:

To update your motherboard’s BIOS, visit your computer manufacturer’s website.
Then follow their instructions exactly to upgrade successfully by downloading and installing any relevant provided updates.

Note: If you don’t do this correctly, BIOS errors can permanently damage your system components!

Fix 6: Download Windows OS Updates

DPC Watchdog violation error code 0x00000133 may be fixed in a new version of the Windows Operating System. So, you must also try this out using the steps mentioned below:

Initially, use the Start menu or the shortcut (Windows + I) to open Windows Settings.
Navigate to the Windows Update settings.
Press the Check for Updates button.
Click Download and Install if there are pending updates.
For the installation to begin, restart the computer.

Note: It is necessary to have a good internet connection in order to download the updates.

What does “Attempted Switch from DPC” mean?

It usually happens when third-party software interferes with Windows, and the error code for “Attempted Switch from DPC” is 0x000000B8. It may be necessary to restart your computer in Safe Mode and then uninstall the apps that are causing the issue under Settings > System > Apps & Features.

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So, that’s all we have for you on how to fix the DPC Watchdog violation error code 0x00000133 on Windows 11 PC. It is our hope that the fixes we have provided have been helpful to you. If you need more assistance with the DPC Watchdog error, please comment below.

How to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11

What Is the DPC Watchdog Violation Error of Windows 11?

What Causes DPC Watchdog Violations?