How to fix “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE”. Step-by-Step Guide

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How to fix “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE”. Step-by-Step Guide






How to Fix DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE: Step-by-Step Guide

"DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE" is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error usually caused by driver conflicts, power settings issues, or hardware malfunctions. This comprehensive guide covers methods such as restarting in Safe Mode, using Driver Verifier, updating or rolling back drivers, and adjusting power settings to resolve this error. For advanced issues, consider BIOS updates and file recovery tools. Use our free chatbot, specially designed to assist with solving such technical issues, for additional help.

Key Takeaways

  • “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error, typically related to driver issues or power settings.
  • Following the appropriate steps can help you diagnose and fix this issue effectively.
  • Safe Mode, Driver Verifier, and updating drivers are essential tools for resolving the issue. Tools like EaseUS DriverHandy can simplify driver updates and repairs.
  • BIOS and motherboard updates may also help if other approaches don’t work. Additionally, if data loss occurs during troubleshooting, MiniTool Power Data Recovery can recover important files.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE”

Users encountering a “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” error often deal with issues like driver conflicts, power settings, and hardware malfunctions. This guide will walk you through different methods to troubleshoot and resolve the issue efficiently.

1. Restart in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a great way to troubleshoot hard-to-identify problems since it loads only essential drivers.

Steps:

  1. Restart with Installation Media

    • Insert your installation media (USB or disc) and restart your device.

  2. Enter WinRE

    • Click on Repair your computer to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

  3. Navigate to Safe Mode

    • Go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.

  4. Select Safe Mode

    • Once the computer restarts, press F4 to start Windows in Safe Mode.

Expert Advice:
Safe Mode is extremely useful for diagnosing driver-related issues. By running only basic drivers and minimal services, you can often pinpoint when an additional driver or software is causing problems. This is especially helpful with BSOD errors like “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE.”

2. Use Driver Verifier

Driver Verifier is a built-in Windows tool that helps detect problematic drivers.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt
    • Search for cmd and run it as an administrator.
  2. Run Verifier
    • In the Command Prompt, type verifier and hit Enter.
  3. Set Standard Settings
    • In the Driver Verifier Manager, select Create Standard Settings.
  4. Select All Drivers
    • Choose Automatically select all drivers installed on this computer.
  5. Finish & Restart
    • Click Finish then restart your computer.

Expert Insight:
Driver Verifier is mainly used by advanced users or system administrators. It stresses drivers in order to detect any hidden issues. Be aware that it can make your system slow or unreliable during testing, so only use it when necessary.

3. Change Power Settings

Incorrect power settings often cause DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE during sleep or hibernation cycles.

Steps:

  1. Open Control Panel
    • Search Control Panel and open it.
  2. Go to Power Options
    • Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. Adjust Plan Settings
    • Select Balanced (recommended) and click Change plan settings.
  4. Disable Sleep
    • Set Put the computer to sleep to Never.
  5. Adjust Advanced Settings
    • Go to Change advanced power settings, and ensure key options like Sleep and USB selective suspend are configured properly.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC)

This tool checks for and automatically repairs corrupted system files.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt
    • Like before, search cmd and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Run the Command
    • Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt and press Enter. Wait for the system scan to complete.

Expert Tip:
Running SFC alongside the DISM tool (use DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) is a good way to fix deeper system corruption issues that SFC alone cannot handle.

5. Update or Rollback Drivers

Outdated or newly updated drivers are a common cause of this error.

Steps:

  1. Open Device Manager
    • Type Device Manager in the Start menu search box.
  2. Locate the Driver
    • Find the problematic device and right-click on it.
  3. Update/ Rollback Driver
    • Choose Update driver, and then Search automatically. If the issue arose after a recent update, try the Rollback driver option. For a faster and more reliable solution, consider using EaseUS DriverHandy to scan, update, or rollback drivers safely.

6. Remove External Hardware

Sometimes a peripheral device may conflict with drivers.

Steps:

  1. Disconnect All Devices
    • Unplug peripherals like USB devices, printers, or external storage.
  2. Restart Your PC
    • Check if the issue persists without peripherals connected. If the error is gone, start reconnecting them one-by-one to identify the offending device.

7. Uninstall Newly-Added Drivers

If you recently installed a new driver and started having issues, it’s best to uninstall it.

Steps:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode
    • As described in Step 1, enter Safe Mode.
  2. Open Device Manager
    • Navigate to Device Manager and right-click on the driver you want to remove. Choose Uninstall device.

8. Disable Power Management Features

Certain hardware components may conflict with Windows’ power-saving features, leading to BSOD.

Steps:

  1. Open Device Manager
    • Search and open Device Manager.
  2. Select Device
    • Right-click on the device and select Properties.
  3. Modify Power Settings
    • Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the option Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

9. Uninstall Third-Party Software

If you’ve recently installed third-party software before the error appeared, it may be the root cause.

Steps:

  1. Open Control Panel
    • Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program.
  2. Remove Recent Software
    • Identify recently installed applications and uninstall them.

10. Check for BIOS and Motherboard Updates

Updating your BIOS can resolve deep-level system conflicts.

Steps:

  1. Find BIOS Update
    • Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest BIOS version.
  2. Follow Install Instructions
    • Follow the instructions provided on the manufacturer’s website for the installation process.

Expert Note:
It’s crucial to be cautious when updating the BIOS. A failed update can cause permanent hardware damage. Only proceed if you’re comfortable following exact instructions.

11. Run the Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for addressing BSOD errors.

Steps:

  1. Open Troubleshooting Settings
    • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  2. Run Blue Screen Troubleshooter
    • Select the Blue Screen troubleshooter and let it analyze the issue.

12. Restore Windows

If all else fails, restoring your system to a previous stable state is a viable solution.

Steps:

  1. Open System Restore
    • Search for Restore in the start menu and select Create a restore point.
  2. Run the Restoration Process
    • In the System Protection tab, click System Restore, choose a prior restore point and click Next. If you encounter issues with missing or corrupted files afterward, MiniTool Power Data Recovery can assist in recovering critical data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What causes the “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” BSOD?
A: This error is often caused by incompatible or outdated drivers, misconfigured power settings, or system file corruption.

Q2: Is the “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” error harmful to my system?
A: While BSOD errors can be alarming, they are safety mechanisms. This specific error rarely results in permanent damage but should be addressed promptly to avoid system instability.

Q3: Can outdated drivers cause this error?
A: Yes, outdated or incompatible drivers are one of the most common causes of a DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE error.

Q4: Will updating all my drivers fix the issue?
A: Updating drivers often resolves this issue, but not always. It’s recommended that you also check power settings and run tools like Driver Verifier or System File Checker.

Q5: Should I seek professional help to fix this issue?
A: If none of these steps work or you’re uncomfortable troubleshooting, it’s wise to consult a tech expert or your device manufacturer.

This guide offers clear, actionable steps to resolve the “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” error, but always remember to back up important data before making major changes. Stay patient as sometimes diagnosing a driver issue can take multiple approaches before it’s fully resolved!

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