How to Fix DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION (Windows 10/11)
Quick Answer
The DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION error indicates that Windows Driver Verifier has identified an issue with a driver. The fastest fix is to disable Driver Verifier, which often resolves the immediate Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and allows the system to boot normally.
What Causes This Error
- Faulty or incompatible device drivers
- Driver Verifier settings configured incorrectly or left enabled after testing
- Corrupted system files or driver installations
- Hardware issues, such as failing RAM or storage devices
- Malware or virus infections interfering with system drivers
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Disable Driver Verifier to Resolve DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION
- Restart your computer. If it fails to boot normally, restart it several times during the boot process to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- In WinRE, navigate to 'Troubleshoot' > 'Advanced options' > 'Command Prompt'.
- If prompted, select your administrator account and enter the password.
- In the Command Prompt window, type 'verifier /reset' and press Enter. This command disables all Driver Verifier settings.
- Type 'exit' and press Enter, then choose 'Continue' to exit WinRE and restart your computer. The system should now boot without the error.
2Update or Roll Back Device Drivers
- Right-click the Start button and select 'Device Manager'.
- Expand categories such as 'Display adapters', 'Network adapters', or 'Sound, video and game controllers' to locate devices.
- Right-click on a potentially problematic driver (e.g., a recently installed or updated driver) and select 'Update driver'. Choose 'Search automatically for drivers'.
- If updating does not resolve the issue or if the problem started after a driver update, right-click the driver again, select 'Properties', go to the 'Driver' tab, and click 'Roll Back Driver' if available. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Restart your computer after making any driver changes.
3Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scans
- Right-click the Start button and select 'Windows Terminal (Admin)' or 'Command Prompt (Admin)'.
- In the elevated command prompt or terminal, type 'sfc /scannow' and press Enter. Allow the scan to complete, which may take some time.
- After the SFC scan, type 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth' and press Enter. This command repairs the Windows image.
- Wait for the DISM operation to finish. It may appear to pause at 20% or 40% completion, which is normal.
- Restart your computer after both scans have completed.
4Check for Windows Updates
- Open 'Settings' by pressing Windows key + I.
- Navigate to 'Windows Update' (on Windows 11) or 'Update & Security' > 'Windows Update' (on Windows 10).
- Click 'Check for updates'.
- Download and install any available updates, including optional driver updates.
- Restart your computer as prompted after the updates are installed.
Advanced Fixes
Perform a Clean Boot
- Press Windows key + R, type 'msconfig' and press Enter to open System Configuration.
- Go to the 'Services' tab, check 'Hide all Microsoft services', and then click 'Disable all'.
- Go to the 'Startup' tab and click 'Open Task Manager'.
- In Task Manager, disable all startup items one by one by right-clicking them and selecting 'Disable'. Close Task Manager.
- Go back to System Configuration, click 'Apply', then 'OK', and restart your computer. If the error does not reappear, enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.
Test RAM for Errors
- Save all your work and close open applications.
- Press Windows key + R, type 'mdsched.exe' and press Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
- Select 'Restart now and check for problems (recommended)'.
- Your computer will restart and run a memory test. This process may take several minutes.
- After the test, Windows will restart. Check the results in the Event Viewer under 'Windows Logs' > 'System' for any reported memory issues. Faulty RAM may need replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Driver Verifier?
Driver Verifier is a diagnostic tool included in Windows that monitors kernel-mode drivers and graphics drivers for illegal function calls or errors that could corrupt the system. It is primarily used by developers to test drivers, but if left enabled, it can cause BSODs if it detects issues with installed drivers.
Is it safe to disable Driver Verifier?
Yes, it is generally safe to disable Driver Verifier for everyday use. It is a debugging tool, not a security feature. Disabling it will prevent it from actively monitoring drivers, which can resolve the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION error. If a driver truly has a critical flaw, other system stability issues might eventually surface, but disabling Verifier is a common first step to regain system access.
How do I know which driver caused the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION?
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) message itself might sometimes mention a specific driver file (e.g., 'driver_name.sys'). You can also use tools like BlueScreenView to analyze the minidump files created during the crash, which can often pinpoint the problematic driver.
Can malware cause this error?
Yes, malware can sometimes interfere with system drivers or install malicious drivers that trigger the DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION error. Running a full system scan with reputable antivirus software is recommended if other fixes do not resolve the issue.