How to Fix “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” Error on Windows?
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE error corresponds to the stop code value 0x9F, indicating that a driver is in an inconsistent or faulty power state. This means a particular hardware device may not respond correctly to a power management request, often due to driver or hardware issues.
When Windows expects a device to transition from one power state to another, it sends signals to the hardware via drivers to enter that state (e.g., sleep or wake). However, the driver might take too long to respond, not respond, or give the device an incorrect power state. When this happens, like all Windows stop codes, the system crashes into the BSOD and tries to restart itself.
1. Remove All Connected Devices
The most common reason for this error is external device issues. If you’ve recently connected a USB device, such as an external SSD, hard drive, flash drive, or an accessory like an adapter or USB hub, try removing them. Then restart your system to see if the error persists.
If you’re trying to identify the problem, a good first step is to unplug everything except what you absolutely need, like the monitor. This also means temporarily disconnecting your keyboard and mouse. If you aren’t using any external hard drives or USB sticks, connect your peripherals directly to a different port without using a USB hub.
2. Check the Crash Dump File
You can view the crash dump file using BlueScreenView for any Windows stop code. It lists each BSOD instance with its corresponding bug check string and the time of the crash. This information can help you pinpoint the exact cause.
As shown in the image above, the four columns next to the bug check code contain the parameters, similar to sub-codes, which help narrow down the problem. The last column lists the driver that led to the crash and can be used to identify the faulty hardware component or driver.
3. Look for Driver Issues
Since the DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE stop code is linked to driver issues, it may help to roll back any newly added or updated drivers. If a new device is attached and is marked with an exclamation point (!), try updating its driver.
If the driver update doesn’t work, right-click on the device and choose “Uninstall device.” Disconnect the component physically, then plug it back in. Windows will automatically install the recommended driver for the device.
4. Disable the “Power Saver” Power Plan
Microsoft recommends disabling the “Power saver” plan from the power options to help isolate issues related to power management. These issues arise when apps might go into sleep or hibernation even after the system has woken up. It’s recommended to set the power plan to either “Balanced” or “High performance.”
5. Perform a System File Checker Scan
If the issue isn’t resolved, you may want to run a system diagnostic scan to check for any integrity violations within the system files. Running the System File Checker (SFC) scan will help find and repair corrupted system files.
- Press Windows + X, and select Terminal (Admin).
- Type sfc /scannow to start the scan.
- The system will take some time to go through the system files.
- Once completed, it will notify you of any integrity violations.
6. Reinstall Windows
If all else fails, thoroughly reinstalling Windows might be a good idea. Make sure to perform a clean installation of Windows and back up all data before proceeding. Appuals has an in-depth guide on installing Windows from scratch that may assist you throughout the process.
