If you’ve encountered the dreaded Driver Power State Failure blue screen error on your Windows 11 device, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This error often occurs due to problematic drivers that interfere with power management, causing your system to crash. Fortunately, with some straightforward troubleshooting, you can resolve the issue and get your machine running smoothly again.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix the Driver Power State Failure error in Windows 11 quickly and effectively. We’ll walk you through simple and reliable steps that anyone can follow—even if you’re not a tech expert!
What Is Driver Power State Failure in Windows 11?
Driver Power State Failure is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error usually caused when a driver fails to properly manage power state transitions (e.g., from sleep or hibernation to active state). This leads to your computer freezing, crashing, or restarting unexpectedly.
Common causes include:
- Outdated or corrupted drivers
- Incompatible hardware devices
- Power settings conflicts
- Recent changes or updates gone wrong
How to Fix Driver Power State Failure in Windows 11
1. Restart Your PC in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Windows with minimal drivers and services—helpful for troubleshooting.
- Click Start > Power icon.
- Hold the Shift key and click Restart.
- Your PC will reboot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After restart, press 4 to select Enable Safe Mode.
2. Update Your Device Drivers
Outdated or faulty drivers are a main culprit for this error. Here’s how to update them:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Look for devices with a yellow warning icon.
- Right-click the device and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers.
- Follow prompts to update and restart your PC.
Pro Tip: For best results, visit the device manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers.
3. Uninstall Problematic Drivers or Software
If the issue started after a new driver or software was installed, uninstalling it may help.
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the problematic device and select Uninstall device.
- Confirm, then restart your PC.
- If you installed new software recently, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find it, and click Uninstall.
4. Adjust Power Settings
Incorrect power configurations can trigger driver power state failures.
- Open Control Panel (search from Start).
- Go to Power Options.
- Click Change plan settings next to your active power plan.
- Select Change advanced power settings.
- Expand PCI Express > Link State Power Management and set it to Off.
- Also, under Sleep, set Allow hybrid sleep to Off.
- Click Apply and OK.
5. Run the Built-in Blue Screen Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes an automated troubleshooter that can detect and fix BSOD errors.
- Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Blue Screen and click Run.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Check for Windows Updates
Microsoft frequently releases patches that fix bugs and compatibility issues.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install any pending updates and restart your PC.
7. Use System Restore
If the problem began recently, restoring your system to an earlier point can help.
- Search for Create a restore point and open it.
- Click System Restore.
- Choose a restore point dated before the issue started.
- Follow prompts to complete the process.
8. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps identify if third-party software conflicts with your drivers.
- Press Windows + R, type
msconfig, and hit Enter. - Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- Disable all startup items.
- Restart your PC.
If the error disappears, re-enable services/startups one by one to isolate the culprit.
Conclusion
While the Driver Power State Failure error can be frustrating, following these steps carefully will help you troubleshoot and fix it on Windows 11. Keeping your device updated, managing power settings, and maintaining driver health are key to preventing this BSOD in the future.
If after trying these fixes your PC still crashes, consider seeking help from a professional or Microsoft Support.
Feel free to bookmark this guide to keep handy whenever you face driver-related issues on Windows 11!
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If you’d like detailed help with any step, just ask—I’m here to make fixing Windows 11 easier for you!
