Fix IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL 0x00000008 Blue Screen Error on Windows 10/11

Blue screen of deaths or BSODs are truly unsightly. When they appear, it means Microsoft encountered a critical error from which it cannot recover from. Usually, it happens as a result of a faulty hardware component or a low-level software issue.

Although BSODs look different as they vary depending on the Windows version you are running, in most cases, it comes with a blue screen, similar to a terminal screen, displaying all pieces of information that the user needs to know.

BSODs occur when Windows come across a stop error that causes it to crash and stop working. In an attempt to recover, Windows tries to restart the PC. However, in most cases, this leads to data loss because applications and programs don’t have a chance to save any active data.

Among the most popular BSOD errors is the Windows 10/11 IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL 0x00000008 error. What is it?

What Is IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL 0x00000008 Error on Windows 10/11?

If you receive the Windows 10/11 IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL 0x00000008 error, it means there is a problem with your NTFS. It is usually accompanied by the error message “A problem has been detected and Windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer: IRQL_NOT_DISPATCH_LEVEL Error Code 0x00000008.

How to Fix 0x00000008 IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL Error

There are many troubleshooting options that can help you resolve the Windows 10/11 IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL 0x00000008 error. We’ve presented some of them below. Take note that these options may require you to boot Windows 10/11 into Safe Mode.

Fix #1: Run the online blue screen troubleshooter

The first thing you should do is to run the online blue screen troubleshooter of Microsoft. This fix is ideal for novice users as it fixes the most common stop errors automatically.

To get started, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official Microsoft website. Here, you will see a wizard that will walk you through the entire troubleshooting process. You will be asked when did the BSOD error appear. You can choose from three options: while upgrading to Windows 10/11, after an update was installed, or while using my PC. Choose the best option.
2. If you choose the first option, you will be asked to revert your Windows version. If you select the second option, you will be asked to check for any pending updates or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Finally, if you choose the last option, you will be provided with helpful tips to access your desktop.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts.
4. As you can see, this online troubleshooter is quite basic and is meant to help beginners to move forward with fixing BSODs.

Fix #2: Perform a thorough disk cleanup

A PC with a low hard drive space can cause the IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL BSOD error. In this case, it is recommended to uninstall any unwanted programs and remove all temporary files using the disk cleanup utility.

To delete the temporary files on your PC, follow these steps:

1. Into the search box, input disk cleanup.
2. Choose Disk Cleanup from the search results.
3. Select the drive that you want to clean.
4. Hit OK.
5. Under the Files to delete section, choose the file types you want to remove.
6. Click OK.

To delete unwanted programs and apps to free up your device’s space, here’s what you should do:

1. Go to Disk Cleanup.
2. Choose the Clean up system files
3. Select the types of files you want to remove.
4. Hit OK.
5. Alternatively, you can use a trusted PC repair tool to automate the cleanup process and speed up your PC. Make sure you download and install one from the official manufacturer to prevent issues in the long run.

Fix #3: Run the CHKDSK utility

If you suspect that the error is caused by bad sectors on your hard drive, then running the CHKDSK utility is your best option.

To run the utility from the Command Prompt, follow these instructions:

1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
2. Go to the Start menu.
3. Choose Run.
4. Into the text field, input cmd.
5. Hit Enter.
6. Into the command line, input chkdsk to launch the utility in a read-only mode.
7. Hit Enter.
8. To begin repairing errors, input this command followed by Enter: chkdsk volume :/f. The value of volume should be changed to the drive you would like to run the scan for. Example: chkdsk C: /f

Fix #4: Update any outdated device drivers

Outdated and faulty device drivers may trigger the error to appear. Problematic drivers can affect the performance and compatibility of Windows 10/11, hence the error message. So, to resolve the error, try updating the drivers using the Device Manager.

Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the Start menu to launch the WinX menu.
2. Choose Device Manager.
3. Identify the specific driver you want to update. Double-click on it to expand.
4. Select the most appropriate driver and right-click on it.
5. The next menu will show you options on how to update the driver. You can choose to automatically search for any updated driver software or browse your PC for a compatible driver software version. We recommend that you select the first option and just let Windows identify and install the correct driver for you.
6. Once the updated driver version is found, Windows will download and install it for you. However, if nothing is found, you will be greeted by a screen that tells you all the best drivers for your device are already installed.
7. Hit OK and exit.

Fix #5: Restore your Windows system to an earlier working point

If all else fails, you may choose to restore your Windows to an earlier point when everything was still working. But take note that this fix only works if you have created a system restore point prior to the appearance of the error code.

To create a restore point, follow these steps:

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Into the search box, input System Restore.
3. Select Create a restore point.
4. At this point, the System Properties window will open.
5. Choose Create.
6. The System Protection box will launch and you will be prompted to name it.
7. Hit Create.
8. Wait for the process to complete. It should take a minute or less. Make sure you don’t interrupt it.
9. Once done, you will see the message “The restore point was created successfully.”
10. Click Close.

To restore Windows using System Restore, follow these steps:

1. Into the System Properties window, select System Restore. Alternatively, you can choose to launch the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
2. Into the text field, input rstrui.exe and hit Enter.
3. Click Next.
4. Choose a Restore Point and hit Next.
5. Make sure all the details are correct.
6. Confirm your actions by clicking Finish.
7. Click Yes.
8. Windows will now start to access all relevant files and prepare your PC to be restored. Once everything is done, it will then restart.
9. Upon restart, you will see a message confirming that the System Restore process is successful.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, one of the fixes above has helped you resolve the most common BSOD errors like the Windows 10/11 IRQL NOT DISPATCH LEVEL 0x00000008 error. To prevent the occurrence of BSODs in the future, make sure your PC is in tip-top shape. Get rid of any unnecessary files and install an antivirus program to remove any threats before they even cause damage.