Updating to Windows 11 fresh is starting, but encountering IRQL issues.
Updating to Windows 11 fresh is starting, but encountering IRQL issues.
Months back after upgrading my PC and performing a clean install, Windows placed partitions on a different drive than the operating system. I attempted third-party tools to fix this issue, but it resulted in a "page fault in nonpaged area" BSOD. You can find more details about this here if you wish... I spent an entire Saturday night doing the clean install and everything worked out. Here’s what I did:
- Removed CMOS
- Deleted all partitions
- Formatted both drives
- Installed Windows 11 on Disk 1
- Verified installation through disk management
- Added Google Chrome
- Ran O&O Shutup
- Uninstalled OneDrive, Office, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
- Installed AMD chipset drivers
- Added Nvidia drivers (no prior experience)
- Executed Windows Update
- Set up AMD chipset drivers
- Added iCue
- Installed Synapse
- Downloaded and installed Xbox app (with Game Pass)
- Updated Xbox gaming services
- Installed/updated Xbox game bar
- Added Steam
- Installed Ryzen Master
- Installed MSI Afterburner
- Installed RivaTuner
- Installed GPU-Z, CPU-Z
- Ran Cinebench
- Restarted to BIOS, configured RAM and enabled ReBAR
- Added various games/3DMark
- Ran per-core optimizer and auto OC in Ryzen Master (restarted, everything okay)
- Configured Afterburner and RivaTuner
- Ran Cinebench again
- Tested Time Spy, Time Spy Extreme, Speed Way, Port Royal, CPU Profile
- All systems functioning well
It was late Sunday morning when I fell asleep. The next Sunday I woke up and now I’m experiencing random BSODs/stop errors with "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL". They appear randomly, either while using the PC or just sitting at the desk. It mainly occurs during restarts and loops the error repeatedly.
I searched online for solutions but couldn’t figure out which program was causing problems or how to fix it without issues. I’m unsure whether to proceed with another clean install. My ADHD makes me reluctant to leave the PC until everything is perfect. The process started around 9 PM on Saturday and ended around 6 AM Sunday. If this matters, I’ll consider another reset.
I resolved the problem by doing another clean install of Windows 11 and using Ryzen Master was the root cause. Even after uninstalling it, the fix didn't work. I saved my restore points before installing and updating each program and driver—GPU, chipset, audio, etc. When I launched Ryzen, a blue screen appeared with the message "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL," and it kept looping after restarting. Once Windows fully loaded, I removed Ryzen Master, restarted, and then booted into safe mode to apply the restore before reinstalling Ryzen. Everything is now working properly.
It didn't resolve the problem. Almost immediately after sending my reply, I encountered yet another blue screen saying "Critical Process Died" following a restart. That meant I had to reinstall Windows once more. The problem seems to be linked to Ryzen Master and possibly the recent BIOS update.
It seems like a solid plan. I won’t need Armory Crate since my ASUS Z390 board supports AI Suite 3 for fan control, and Aura performs much better than it did with ARM. I can pick the ASUS EC profile and use metrics like the main external temperature sensor. I’ll run my fan speeds using the custom loop water temp sensor I’ve connected there in Armory Crate. Just to note, I need an ICUE for RAM RGB—it worked before, but now I’m unsure about the current standards.
I manage fan control and PC RGB using iCue for my Razer peripherals. I switch to Synapse for those. Updated: The problem was BIOS version 4402. Here’s what I did...
Deleted CMOS BIOS 4402
Performed a clean Windows 11 install (Ver 22H2)
Installed AMD Chipset driver 5.02.19.2221
Added Nvidia Driver 531.18
Applied Ryzen Master 2.10.2.2367
After these steps, the system ran without blue screens or boot loops.
It's the latest release, but it doesn't always work perfectly... thanks for spotting the issue. Hope you have a smoother experience with the upcoming BIOS update.
Another update is coming. The system now displays a blue screen repeatedly, showing errors like "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" and "page fault in nonpaged area." It hasn’t entered a boot loop during these issues, and they only appeared after manual restarts and Windows updates. I’m not sure what to do next. I’ve purchased new RAM and plan to test that. If that fails, I’ll consider a new motherboard and CPU. I ran the Windows Memory Diagnostic, which passed. I also executed sfc /scannow, Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth, Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth—still no results. It’s strange, as JayzTwoCents had a similar problem with his AM5 build, getting the same blue screens.
Well, I'm feeling a bit confused. It turns out the auto per core optimizer wasn't the main issue—it was the auto optimization feature. I initially thought Ryzen Master was too aggressive, so I manually adjusted the settings I used before the first clean install, but the blue screens persisted. After the clean install, I changed the values myself and still faced the same problem. I experimented with lowering core offsets, but they didn't resolve the issue. Finally, after reinstalling Ryzen Master and tweaking the optimizer, I found a more stable setting of -5 for all cores, resulting in a CB R23 score around 155xx. It seems the latest AMD chipset drivers from February 28, 2023, might be affecting performance.