Full Fix: Wdf_violation BSoD error on Windows
- WDF stands for Windows Driver Framework. A WDF_VIOLATION can trigger a Blue Screen of Death when there's an issue with a driver that is based on the framework.
- Fixing the WDF_VIOLATION is a matter of identifying the Windows update or driver that triggered the error. Updating the system and driver should fix the bug.
- Take a look at out extensive BSoD Troubleshooting Hub with an amazing collection of error codes and ways to fix them.
- Similar articles and guides on Windows errors can be found in the Windows 10 Errors section on the site.
Blue Screen of Death error usually indicates that there’s a problem with a certain hardware or a driver, and this error shouldn’t be taken lightly. Windows 10 users reported that wdf_violation BSoD error prevents them from starting Windows 10, so let’s see how to fix this problem.
Fix wdf_violation BSoD error on Windows 10
Blue Screen of Death errors such as wdf_violation can be quite problematic, and speaking of this error, here are some similar problems reported by users:
- Wdf_violation Windows 10 loop – In some cases, you might encounter a wdf_violation loop that prevents you from entering Windows 10. To fix the problem, enter Safe Mode and try to delete the problematic driver.
- Wdf_violation Lenovo – This issue was reported by Lenovo users, and if you’re using a Lenovo device, you can try some of our solutions and check if that solves your problem.
- Wdf_violation Windows 10 HP – A number of users reported this problem on HP devices as well. There’s no universal solution for HP computers, so you can try any solution from this article.
- Wdf_violation Windows 8 – This error can appear on any version of Windows, and even if you don’t use Windows 10, you should be able to apply almost all solutions from this article to Windows 8.
- Wdf_violation Razer – Sometimes this issue can occur due to your hardware or USB peripherals. If that’s the case, disconnect all your USB devices and try to start your PC again.
- Wdf_violation on startup, crash – This problem can occur due to third-party applications on your PC, and in order to fix the issue, it’s advised to find and remove the problematic applications.
Solution 1 – Disconnect all USB peripherals
If you’re having wdf_violation BSoD error on Windows 10, you might want to try disconnecting all your USB peripherals. According to users, any USB device can cause this error to appear, and there are reports stating that this error was caused by a USB camera, therefore in order to fix this error, disconnect all USB peripherals from your computer.
It possible that your issue is caused just by one USB device, so you’ll have to repeat this step a few times until you find it.
Having problems with USB? If it’s not working, check this guide
Solution 2 – Disable USB ports in BIOS
Some users are suggesting disabling the USB ports in BIOS as a potential workaround. In order to do that, you need to follow these steps:
- Restart your computer and keep pressing F2 or Del in order to enter BIOS. It might be a different key depending on your motherboard, so you’ll have to try this step a few times.
- Once the BIOS opens, you’ll need to go to Advanced Tab > Miscellaneous Devices > External USB Ports and disable External USB ports. Note: This process might be different on your version of BIOS, therefore check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.
- Save changes and restart your computer.
Solution 3 – Reinstall Windows 10
This solution should be used as a last resort, so make sure you use it only if you have used all other solutions. By reinstalling Windows 10, all your files will be removed, so you’ll have to install all your applications again. This is why we urge you to try any other solution before performing a Windows 10 reinstall.
Solution 4 – Uninstall Bluetooth driver in Safe Mode
Windows has a special segment called Safe Mode, and you can use it to troubleshoot various issues. This segment uses the default drivers, therefore it’s a perfect tool to use if you can’t boot to your system. To enter Safe Mode, do the following:
- Restart your PC a couple of times during the boot sequence. Alternatively, you can click the Power icon on the profile selection screen, press and hold the Shift key and choose Restart from the menu. You can also do that from Windows as well.
- A list of options will now appear. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click the Restart button.
- When your PC restarts you’ll see a list of options. Press 5 or F5 to select Safe Mode with Networking.
After entering Safe Mode, you need to find and remove the problematic driver. Many users claim that a Bluetooth driver caused this issue for them, and you can remove it by doing the following:
- Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu. Now choose Device Manager from the list.
- Now locate your Bluetooth driver, right-click, and choose Uninstall device from the menu.
- When the confirmation menu appears, check Delete driver software for this device and click Uninstall to confirm.
After doing that, restart your PC and try to start Windows 10 again. Keep in mind that other drivers can cause this problem, so don’t focus only on the Bluetooth driver. To see which driver is causing the issue, be sure to check the crash log.
It’s also worth mentioning that sometimes the uninstalled driver can automatically install itself again, so you’ll need to block Windows 10 from automatically installing drivers.
Solution 5 – Remove the problematic software
In some cases, wdf_violation error can appear due to problematic software. Sometimes third-party applications might not be fully compatible with Windows 10, and that can cause this and other errors to appear.
To fix the problem, it’s advised to remove the problematic application from the PC. According to users, SteelSeries Engine software was causing the issue on their PC, but after removing it, the problem was resolved completely.
Keep in mind that you need to remove this application completely in order to permanently fix the problem. Sometimes leftover files can cause the issue to reappear, therefore it’s advised to use an uninstaller software.
In case you’re not familiar, this is a special software that will completely remove the selected application along with all of its files and registry entries. There are many great uninstaller applications, but one of the best is Revo Uninstaller, so be sure to try it out.
Solution 6 – Update your drivers
According to users, sometimes wdf_violation error can appear due to your drivers. If your drivers are outdated, that can lead to certain issues, so it’s advised to update the drivers on your PC. To do that, you need to find a driver that is causing the issue and update it.
To find out the problematic driver, check the error message before your PC restarts and see if any file is mentioned. If it is, it means that this file is responsible for the crash. Now you need to do a bit of research and find out if this file is related to a certain device or driver.
If it is, you need to update that driver to the latest version and check if that helps. Updating driver manually can be a tedious task at times, therefore you might want to consider using a third-party software that will automatically update all your drivers.
TweakBit Driver Updater is a simple driver updater tool, and it will update all outdated drivers on your PC with just a couple of clicks.
Once your drivers are updated, the problem should be completely resolved and everything will start working again.
Solution 7 – Perform a System Restore
Another tool that can help you fix wdf_violation BSoD error is System Restore. In case you’re not familiar, your system automatically creates restore points after installing new software or an update. You can use these restore points to restore your system and fix problems such as this one.
To do that, follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key + S and enter system restore. Choose Create a restore point from the list of results.
- System Properties window will now appear. Click System Restore button.
- When System Restore window opens, click Next.
- If available, check Show more restore points option and select the desired restore point. Now click Next to proceed.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the restoration process.
If you can’t access Windows 10 due to wdf_violation error, you can always perform System Restore outside of Windows by doing the following:
- Restart your PC a couple of times during the boot sequence.
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
- Select your user account and enter your password.
- System Restore window will now appear and you should be able to choose a restore point and restore your system.
Wdf_violation BSoD error can be rather problematic on Windows 10, but we hope that some of our solutions were helpful to you.
FAQ: Learn more about Wdf_violation
- What is a Wdf_violation?
It indicates that Windows encountered a problem with a device driver that is based on the Windows Driver Framework.
- What is a Windows stopcode?
A stopcode is associated with a stop error, also known as a blue screen error which is shortened as BSoD. It is the error code displayed next to the error message, which you can research here.
- Is a blue screen bad?
Blue screen errors stop all activity on the computer in order to protect it. It might cause data corruption or losses so you need to identify the reason for the error and make the necessary changes. See our BSoD error codes collection.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been since completely revamped and updated in May 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.