WDF_Violation error typically occurs when there is a problem with hardware drivers or driver software, especially when a driver is incompatible, outdated, or malfunctioning. The error often points to Windows Driver Framework (WDF) issues, a software framework that helps Windows manage device drivers efficiently. It usually appears as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with the stop code WDF_Violation and can prevent your computer from booting properly, causing system instability or crashes.
The Driver Verifier Tool is a built-in Windows utility designed to help identify problematic drivers causing system instability, crashes, or Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. The tool is primarily used for advanced troubleshooting, especially when the cause of system crashes, or errors is suspected to be due to incorrect, outdated, or incompatible drivers. Here is what you need to do –
1. Press the Windows key and type “cmd.”
2. The Command Prompt tool will be highlighted under Best Match.
3. Click on the Run As Administrator option in the right panel.
4. If you get the UAC prompt window, click the “Yes” button.
5. In the command window, type the following command and press the Enter key.
verifier
6. In the Driver Verifier Manager, choose Create standard settings or Select driver names from a list.
Note: If you select “Select driver names from a list,” you can manually select drivers you want to test, such as specific hardware drivers.”
7. Select the option “Automatically select all drivers installed on this computer.”
8. To begin the verification button, click on the Finish button.
9. Once the detection process is complete, follow the instructions to resolve the WDF_VIOLATION blue screen error.
Also Read – Solved – Reference by Pointer BSOD Error On Windows 10/11
The next fix is to update the drivers on your PC. There are three methods to update drivers. We have explained all the methods below-
This method involves navigating to the PC manufacturer’s website and searching for updated drivers compatible with your PC. If you have assembled the PC, you would have to visit all the websites corresponding to your hardware and download multiple drivers. Most experts do not recommend this method as it is time-consuming, requires effort, and does not guarantee 100% success. You are bound to make mistakes unless you have sound technical knowledge.
The Device Manager is an inbuilt tool provided by Microsoft to all its Windows users. This method is easy, but it has certain limitations. The Device Manager is programmed to look for driver updates only on the Microsoft Server. If the hardware manufacturer has released an update for the product and submitted it to Microsoft, you would not get it as an update until the Microsoft technicians examine the update and inculcate it within their system. Here are the steps to use this tool.
1. Press Win + X to open the Power menu and choose Device Manager.
2. Look for the yellow exclamation mark against each driver in the Device Manager window.
3. Right-click on the affected driver and choose the Update Driver option.
4. Follow the onscreen steps to update your driver.
Advanced Driver Updater is a driver updater tool that can scan, identify, and update drivers on your PC. This amazing driver updater software helps users fix anomalies like outdated, missing, and corrupted drivers. Here are the steps to use this app.
1. Download & Install the Advanced Driver Updater app using the Download button.
2. Launch the app and click on the Start Scan Now Button.
3. Wait for the app to present a list of driver issues on the screen.
4. Click on the Update button next to the outdated drivers one by one.
5. Restart the PC to make sure that the changes take place.
Note : If you wish to update all the apps in one go, you can click on the Update All button after you have purchased the app's premium version.
Also Read – [Fixed] Driver PNP Watchdog BSoD Error
As keyboard drivers commonly cause the WDF VIOLATION issue on many HP computers, you can try uninstalling the HP keyboard driver through Command Prompt to see if it resolves the error. Here is what you need to do.
1. Press Win + R to launch the RUN dialog box.
2. Type “cmd” in the search box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
3. The Command Prompt window will now open, and you will have to copy and paste the following command followed by the Enter key.
For the 32-bit version, copy this command –
dism /Image:C\ /Remove-Driver /Driver: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\hpqkbfiltr.inf_x86_f1527018cecbb8c2\HpqKbFiltr.inf
For the 64-bit version, copy the following command –
dism /Image:C:\ /Remove-Driver /Driver:c:\Windows\System32\driverstore\FileRepository\hpqkbfiltr.inf_amd64_714aca0508a80e9a\HpqKbFiltr.inf
4. Exit all apps and reboot your computer.
The file HpqKbFiltr.sys may be responsible for the issue on HP computers. You can use specific command lines to fix misconfigurations in the driver file and resolve the problem. Open the command prompt in admin mode using the same process explained in the above step and copy and paste the following commands, each followed by the Enter key.
The command prompt window will open in admin mode, and the cursor will be at
C:\Windows\System32
Copy and paste – cd drivers – press Enter
Next, Copy and paste – ren HpqKbFiltr.sys HpqKbFiltr.sys.bak – Press Enter.
Exit all apps and restart your PC.
Also Read – How to Fix Usbhub.sys Blue Screen Errors (BSOD) On Windows 11/10
Corrupted system files can cause various Blue Screen errors. To repair system files, use the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM). Here are the steps –
1. Press Win + R to open the Run box, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt tool in admin mode.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
3. Let the process complete and follow any on-screen instructions.
4. Next, type the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Wait for the process to finish, then restart your computer.
Also Read – How To Fix DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth Is Stuck
Faulty RAM can sometimes trigger system errors like WDF_Violation.
1. Press Windows + S to open the Search box.
2. Type Windows Memory Diagnostic and click the relevant result under Best Match.
3. Choose Restart now and check for problems to run the memory diagnostic.
4. If errors are found, you may need to replace your faulty RAM.
If all other methods fail, the last option is to reset your PC. This will restore your system to its original configuration, which can resolve most errors.
1. Reboot your PC three times to access Windows Recovery Environment (RE).
2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
3. Select the “Keep my files” option and follow the on-screen instructions provided by the wizard to reset your PC.
4. Once the process is complete, restart your computer, and the BSOD should be resolved.
Also Read – How To Fix the “Driver Verifier Detected Violation” Error
Issues with device drivers or hardware cause the WDF_Violation BSOD error. It can usually be fixed by updating, reinstalling, rolling back drivers, running diagnostic tools like Driver Verifier, or repairing corrupted system files. If these solutions do not work, more advanced fixes like System Restore or reinstalling Windows may be necessary.
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