What Is the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER Error?

The THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER error (0x000000EA) occurs when a device driver, often a video card, gets stuck in a loop. This BSOD, typically due to a faulty graphics card, hinders gaming and multimedia usage.

When the error shows up, it is usually accompanied by a BSOD, leaving the user only with the option to restart the system. The THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER error usually appears when the user is doing something that relies on the GPU of their computer. What’s more, it can affect systems with AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards.

The error may be an indication of hardware malfunction. Even so, there are a few tricks that you may try before resorting to changing your graphics card device. We have listed the possible solutions for resolving the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER error on Windows. When applying these possible fixes, follow them in their order for enhanced efficiency. We’ll present them chronologically according to their complexity level.

How to Fix the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER Error on Windows

Note that the THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER error can be severe such that it would require an IT-level knowledge to get it fixed. However, that doesn’t mean you should be ready to cough out a couple of dollars each time you come across it. It’s always best to try out these simple fixes before concluding the matter as a dire scenario.

Configure Hardware Acceleration to None

This fix is ideal for Windows 7 users. However, do note that this method will reduce your PC’s functionality and overall video card performance. So, proceed with caution. Otherwise, try the next solution.

To set your Hardware Acceleration to None, follow these simple steps below:

1. Access Display Settings windows by pressing the Windows key and typing “Display” (no quotes).
2. On the Display Settings, under the Change Display Settings tab, click on Advanced Settings.
3. Select Change Settings under the Troubleshoot tab.
4. Check for the Hardware Acceleration heading. Click to hold and drag it to the left to None.
5. When done, select OK and reboot the system.

Update Your BIOS

An outdated BIOS is likely to give you the Blue Screen of Death with the error message THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER. If you recently updated your video card drivers, then, the new version might not be compatible with the old BIOS. Therefore, bringing the BIOS to speed will help solve the issue.

To check your BIOS version and update it, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Run dialog by simultaneously pressing Windows + R keys. In the text field, type “msinfo32” (no quotes) and hit the Enter key. Doing so will launch the System Information window.
2. Now, select System Summary and check the current Bios version located under the processor speed. Keep the version in mind as you will need it later.
3. Next, head over the official site of your PC or the manufacturer of the motherboard. Check your PC model drivers. Pay attention to the drivers you’re downloading. Getting one for the different model may severely damage your system.
4. If you find a newer version, download it.
5. Check the documentation to see if additional drivers or patches are needed for this particular update. If not, proceed and your BIOS by double-clicking on the .exe file.
6. When done, restart the system.

Important Note: While performing a BIOS update, you must ensure you have enough battery power to avoid any unexpected shutdown which may lead to further PC damage.

Update Your GPU Drivers

Your video card drivers can also be the culprit if they are outdated or corrupt. If you check for driver updates and realize that you’re running the latest drivers, chances are that the drivers might be corrupted. Either, you will need to download a fresh copy of the latest drivers and replace corrupt drivers or simply update them.

To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Access the Device Manager by simultaneously pressing Windows + X keys.
2. Hover down to Display Adapters and click on it to expand.
3. Right-click on the graphics card before selecting Update Driver Software. The Windows OS will begin to update the driver.
4. When done, reboot the computer for the changes to take effect.
5. If you’re already running the latest drivers, you will need to Uninstall instead of update.
6. Download the fresh copy of drivers from your GPU official site and install them.
7. Reboot the system for changes to take effect.

You can keep your drivers updated all the time by installing a trusted and reliable driver updater software tool.

Change Video Card

If none of the solutions presented above came right, the last option is to change your GPU device. To confirm if you’re dealing with a malfunctioning graphics card, borrow one from someone and check if it doesn’t have problems. If the error clears when using another graphics card, then you should consider getting a new one. There are plenty of options in the GPU market. Depending on your budget, you might land yourself an upgrade of your malfunctioning graphics card.

Ultimately, if the issue is software-generated, the first three options should be able to help solve the problem. Also, note that, for drivers to go missing or corrupted, it can be the work of a malicious program in your system. In such scenarios, we advise running a strong anti-malware tool to detect and get rid of any malware.