One of the trickier BSODs is the wdf_violation error in Windows 10. Its cause is somewhat challenging to track, but fixing it is pretty easy. In this article, we’re going to guide you on how to fix a wdf_violation BSOD in Windows by following a series of simple troubleshooting steps.
What Causes a wdf_violation BSOD in Windows
What Causes a wdf_violation BSOD in Windows
WDF stands for Windows Driver Frameworks. It’s a collection of tools and libraries from Microsoft used to create drivers. The error itself tells us that something is wrong with the framework-based driver. Unfortunately, the wdf_violation BSOD in Windows 10 isn’t as specific as other system errors like the stop code memory management BSOD. Many different things can cause it, such as corrupt system files, driver issues, or issues related explicitly to USB-connected devices. Some users have even reported driver problems specific to HP laptops only. This means that to fix the wdf_violation error, you need to try the following solutions step by step until one of them works.
1. Unplug All USB Devices
1. Unplug All USB Devices
First, you should rule out any hardware-related issues. For example, USB peripherals are known for causing the wdf_violation BSOD in certain cases. Unplug everything connected to your PC through a USB, including your mouse and keyboard, and restart your computer. If the error no longer appears, you should reconnect each device until you find the culprit. When you do, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling its driver. Alternatively, you can also try automatically updating all your device drivers.
2. Uninstall Your Bluetooth Driver
2. Uninstall Your Bluetooth Driver
Removing the Bluetooth driver sometimes fixes the wdf_violation BSOD. The best way to do this is in safe mode. But first, you’ll have to enable safe mode.
3. Run a System File Checker Scan
3. Run a System File Checker Scan
Running a system scan to clean up any corrupted Windows system files is always recommended when you get a BSOD. The best tool for the job is the System File Checker (SFC). Its job is to detect any missing or corrupt files and fix or replace them. To use the SFC, you need to launch the command prompt. Click on the Windows search icon and type “cmd.” Select the first result and click on Run as administrator. Now type the following command to run the scan: sfc /scannow Wait for the process to finish and restart your computer.
4. System Restore
4. System Restore
If none of the solutions worked, you should perform a system restore.
5. Reinstall Windows
5. Reinstall Windows
As mentioned earlier, fixing the wdf_violation BSOD could be tricky because it’s hard to determine what’s causing it. However, if nothing else has worked so far, it’s time to reinstall or reset Windows. If this is your first time reinstalling Windows, follow our detailed guide on how to wipe and reinstall Windows 10. That said, if you’re using an HP laptop, you should try an HP-specific solution before reinstalling your system.
6. HP Keyboard Driver Fix
6. HP Keyboard Driver Fix
Some HP computer users encounter the wdf_violation BSOD because of the HpqKbFiltr.sys driver. This HP keyboard driver causes some incompatibility issues with certain versions of Windows 10. The driver is used to configure buttons to launch various programs you’ve installed. Removing this driver file is the simplest solution. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers and delete HpqKbFiltr.sys. Then, restart your computer, and wdf_violation should no longer be a problem. Which fix worked for you? Did you find a different solution for the wdf_violation BSOD? Let us know in the comments!
