Driver Power State Failure BSOD: Fixes
Driver Power State Failure is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) stop code that appears when a driver fails to complete a power state transition within the allotted time, often during sleep, wake, or shutdown. This article explains what causes it and provides step-by-step fixes, from updating drivers to adjusting power settings, so you can resolve the error and prevent it from recurring.
What Does the Error Mean?
The stop code DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE (0x0000009F) is a Windows bug check that occurs when a device driver does not respond to a power management request within a specified timeout period (usually 10 seconds). When your PC enters sleep, hibernation, or shuts down, the operating system sends power IRPs (I/O Request Packets) to each driver. If a driver fails to handle the IRP correctly, Windows raises the BSOD to prevent data corruption or hardware damage.
This error is more common on laptops and desktops that frequently enter low-power states. It can happen randomly, but often appears after resuming from sleep or when the system is under load during a power transition.
Common Causes
Several factors can trigger this stop code, and identifying the root cause is key to a permanent fix:
- Outdated or incompatible drivers – especially graphics, network, chipset, and storage drivers.
- Faulty power management settings – such as allowing the computer to turn off USB devices or hard disks aggressively.
- Corrupted system files – often after a failed Windows update or a disk error.
- Hardware issues – a failing SSD, RAM, or motherboard component can cause drivers to hang.
- Overclocking – unstable CPU or GPU overclocks can cause drivers to miss power deadlines.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Work through these fixes in order. Most users resolve the issue with the first two steps.
1. Update All Drivers
- Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it).
- Expand categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, Storage controllers, and System devices.
- Right-click each device and select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
- For critical components (graphics, chipset), visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers directly.
If you recently updated a driver and the error started, try rolling back the driver (right-click device → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver).
2. Change Power Settings
- Open Control Panel → Power Options.
- Click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
- Click Change advanced power settings.
- Expand USB settings → USB selective suspend setting and set it to Disabled.
- Expand Hard disk → Turn off hard disk after and set it to Never (or a higher value).
- Expand Sleep → Allow hybrid sleep and set it to Off.
These changes prevent drivers from being asked to power down too aggressively.
3. Run System File Checker
- Open Command Prompt as administrator (type cmd in Start, right-click, and select Run as administrator).
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. - Wait for the scan to complete (may take 15-20 minutes). If it finds corrupt files, it will repair them.
- Also run
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthand restart.
4. Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can cause drivers to be in an inconsistent state. To disable it:
- Open Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Save changes and restart.
5. Check for Windows Updates
Ensure your system is up to date: Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. Install all pending updates, including optional driver updates.
6. Test Hardware
If the error persists, run a memory test (mdsched.exe) and check your hard drive’s health with chkdsk /f in Command Prompt (requires admin). If you recently overclocked, revert to stock settings.
How to Read the Crash Dump
If the above steps don’t help, analyzing the minidump file can pinpoint the offending driver. Use the free tool BlueScreenView (from NirSoft) to open the dump files in C:\Windows\Minidump. It will show the driver that caused the crash (e.g., nvlddmkm.sys for NVIDIA, ndis.sys for network). Then update or replace that specific driver.
Prevention Tips
- Keep your drivers updated, but avoid beta versions unless necessary.
- Don’t disable power management entirely—just adjust the aggressive settings.
- Regularly run Windows Update and install firmware updates for your motherboard/SSD.
- If you use a docking station or external GPU, ensure its drivers are current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just disable sleep to fix this?
Yes, disabling sleep and hibernation will prevent the error from occurring, but it’s a workaround, not a fix. You’ll lose power-saving benefits, and the underlying driver issue may still cause other problems. Use it as a temporary measure while you update drivers.
Is this error dangerous for my hardware?
No, the BSOD is a protective measure. It stops the system to prevent data corruption. However, frequent crashes can indicate a failing component, so it’s worth investigating rather than ignoring.
Why does it happen more often after a Windows update?
Windows updates can change power management policies or install generic drivers that conflict with manufacturer-specific ones. Reinstalling the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website often resolves this.
Does this error occur on Windows 11 as well?
Yes, the same stop code exists on Windows 11. The fixes are identical; the settings are in the same locations, though the Control Panel is hidden by default (search for it in Start).
Should I reset Windows if nothing else works?
As a last resort, yes. Use the Reset this PC feature (Settings → Update & Security → Recovery) and choose Keep my files. This reinstalls Windows while preserving your personal files, but it will remove installed applications.
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