The “Driver Power State Failure” error is a common issue that many Windows 10 users encounter, typically resulting in the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
This error indicates a problem with your device drivers, specifically related to power settings, and often occurs when your computer is waking up from sleep or hibernation mode.
In this article, we’ll explain what the “Driver Power State Failure” error means, why it happens, and provide step-by-step solutions to help you fix it.
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What Does the “Driver Power State Failure” Error Mean?
The “Driver Power State Failure” error is a Windows stop code (error code 0x0000009F) that appears when a device driver fails to respond or operate correctly, especially during power state changes (e.g., when entering sleep mode, waking up, restarting, or shutting down).
This error indicates that a driver is unable to transition between different power states, causing Windows to crash and display a blue screen.
Common Symptoms of the Error:
- Your computer displays a blue screen with the message “Driver Power State Failure.”
- The system becomes unresponsive, freezes, or crashes when waking from sleep or hibernation.
- Slow performance during sleep/wake cycles or when restarting the computer.
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Why Does the “Driver Power State Failure” Error Occur?
Several factors can trigger the Driver Power State Failure error, including:
- Outdated or Incompatible Drivers: Drivers that are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your Windows 10 system can cause this error.
- Power Management Issues: Incorrect power settings or power-saving modes can cause drivers to fail during power state transitions.
- Software Conflicts: Recently installed software or updates may conflict with existing drivers, causing the error.
- Faulty Hardware: In rare cases, defective hardware components, such as network adapters or USB devices, can trigger this error.
How to Fix the “Driver Power State Failure” Error on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Solutions
Solution 1 ⇒ Disable Power Saving Option
Changing of power settings can resolve Driver Power State Failure error.
Steps to disable power setting option:
Step 1 ⇒ Click the Start icon and open Control Panel.
Step 2 ⇒ Select Power Options tab from the Control Panel window.
Step 3 ⇒ From the given two options “Balanced” and “Power Saver” select the “Balanced” option and further select Change Plan settings.
Step 4 ⇒ Then select advanced power settings, find Wireless Adapter Settings tab, expand it, and change it to Maximum performance.
Step 5 ⇒ Click OK and Reboot the system.
Solution 2 ⇒ Uninstallation of Problematic Drivers
Corrupted drivers can be the reason, so there is a need to check the drivers and their status. The drivers can be check in Device Manager.
Inappropriate or corrupted drivers will have a yellow mark near them. Now uninstall the devices with the yellow mark. Steps to uninstall a driver:
Step 1 ⇒ Press together the Windows logo key and X.
Step 2 ⇒ Select the Device Manager option from the Menu.
Step 3 ⇒ Find the Devices which have a Yellow Mark.
Step 4 ⇒ Do a Right Click and select Uninstall.
Step 5 ⇒ Repeat the above steps until all devices are free of yellow marks.
Step 7 ⇒ Now Reboot the System and check if the Driver Power State Failure error persists or not.
Solution 3 ⇒ Perform A System File Checker (SFC) Scan
The SFC scan scans all the files present on the system. It checks, verifies and corrupt file versions get replaced by original versions. Steps to do an SFC scan:
Step 1 ⇒ Open the Start menu and type cmd.
Step 2 ⇒ Run it As Administrator.
Step 3 ⇒ A Command Prompt Window will open and then type SFC/SCANNOW.
Step 4 ⇒ Press the Enter key and wait.
Step 5 ⇒ “Verification 100% complete” message will appear and after that restart the system.
Solution 4 ⇒ Disable Sleep Option
If you disable the sleep option from your system, you might not encounter the Driver Power State Failure error message.
You can easily disable the sleep option and fix the Driver Power State Failure problem. Steps to disable Sleep option:
Step 1 ⇒ At first, click the Start icon and open the Control Panel.
Step 2 ⇒ Then select the Power Options tab from the Control Panel window.
Step 3 ⇒ The left side column will consist of many options out of which select Choose what the power button does tab.
Step 4 ⇒ Now select the Change Settings that are currently unavailable tab.
Step 5 ⇒ Disable the Sleep Option first. For more safety also Disable the Hibernate option.
Solution 5 ⇒ Uninstall Antivirus Software
Sometimes our best friend becomes a problem in our lives and like that antivirus software can also cause problems. Firstly you need to disable the antivirus and then check.
If the problem persists then you need to uninstall the antivirus software. Use a rated company removal tool to uninstall the antivirus software and its related files.
Solution 6 ⇒ Uninstallation of Updated Versions of Graphics Card Drivers
Generally, we keep our drivers up-to-date, but sometimes the updated versions cause hurdles, and Driver Power State Failure error can occur. Steps to uninstall updated versions:
Step 1 ⇒ At first, Press together the Windows logo key and X.
Step 2 ⇒ Select the Device Manager option from the Menu.
Step 3 ⇒ Find Display Adapters option and Double Click.
Step4 ⇒ At last, the properties window will open and select Roll Back Driver under the Driver tab.
Solution 7 ⇒ Enable Maximum Performance in Nvidia Control Panel
This method mostly solves the Driver Power State Failure error but uses more battery power. If you have AMD graphics, then change power setting through the Catalyst Control Center. Steps to maximize performance:
Step 1 ⇒ At first, click the start icon and open Control Panel.
Step 2 ⇒ Then select the Nvidia Control Panel option from the Control Panel window.
Step 3 ⇒ Open Manage 3D Settings tab present on the left pane.
Step 4 ⇒ Find the Power Management mode, and click on Prefer Maximum Performance.
Preventing the Driver Power State Failure Error in the Future
- Regularly Update Drivers: Keep your device drivers updated to avoid compatibility issues.
- Use Reliable Hardware: Ensure that your hardware components are functioning properly and compatible with Windows 10.
- Check for Software Conflicts: Monitor recently installed software and drivers for potential conflicts.
- Avoid Unnecessary Power Saving Modes: Adjust power settings to avoid issues with driver power state transitions.
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Final Thoughts
The “Driver Power State Failure” error can be frustrating, but it’s usually fixable with the methods outlined above.
Start with basic solutions like updating drivers or adjusting power settings, and if necessary, proceed to more advanced troubleshooting steps like running the System File Checker or performing a clean boot.
FAQs About the “Driver Power State Failure” Error
1. What causes the “Driver Power State Failure” error?
The error is usually caused by outdated, incompatible, or corrupted drivers, power management issues, software conflicts, or faulty hardware.
2. How do I fix the Driver Power State Failure error in Windows 10?
You can fix the error by updating your drivers, changing power settings, disabling fast startup, running the System File Checker, or performing a clean boot.
3. Can hardware cause the Driver Power State Failure error?
Yes, faulty hardware components such as network adapters, USB devices, or other peripherals can trigger the error.
4. Is the Driver Power State Failure error serious?
While it’s not necessarily a sign of serious hardware failure, it can be frustrating and disrupt your workflow. Addressing the root cause is essential to prevent further issues.
5. How do I prevent this error in the future?
Keep your drivers updated, use reliable hardware, avoid unnecessary power-saving modes, and regularly check for software conflicts.
6. Will reinstalling Windows fix the Driver Power State Failure error?
Reinstalling Windows may fix the error, but it should be considered a last resort if other troubleshooting methods don’t work.
7. Can antivirus software cause this error?
In rare cases, antivirus software can interfere with drivers and cause power state errors. Try disabling your antivirus temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
8. How do I identify the problematic driver causing the error?
You can check Device Manager for devices with yellow exclamation marks or use the BlueScreenView tool to analyze the BSOD crash dump files.
9. Will updating Windows fix the Driver Power State Failure error?
Updating Windows can resolve compatibility issues and fix bugs that may be causing the error.
10. Should I contact a technician if the error persists?
Yes, if you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and the error persists, consider contacting a professional technician for further assistance.
