How to Fix “Thread Stuck in Device Driver” Error in Windows 11

Getting the “Thread Stuck in Device Driver” error, stop code (0x100000EA), after a Windows 11 update? This error usually occurs when a device driver, most commonly a graphics driver, gets stuck in an infinite loop while waiting for the hardware to respond. When this happens, Windows shuts down the system to prevent further damage, resulting in a sudden crash and a Blue Screen of Death. “Users report that every time I try to update my AMD Radeon M355 driver, a blue screen occurs with the error message “THREAD STUCK IN DEVICE DRIVER”. 

This issue is commonly caused by driver problems, particularly graphics card drivers, or by underlying hardware failures, such as a defective video card. It can also result from software conflicts, overheating, power supply issues, or overclocking. Whatever the reason, here is how to fix the THREAD STUCK IN DEVICE DRIVER error on Windows 11.

What causes the ” Thread Stuck in Device Driver ” error?

This BSOD error indicates that a driver thread is waiting too long for a hardware operation to complete. Windows assumes the driver has become unresponsive and crashes the system to prevent instability. The most common reason behind this is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics drivers, particularly those associated with AMD-Ryzen processors or ATI-based laptops. Other factors include outdated audio drivers, recent Windows or third-party software updates that corrupt drivers, BIOS incompatibility, overclocking, or issues with the power supply unit.

• Outdated/Faulty Drivers: Most common cause, especially graphics (AMD, Nvidia, Intel) or sound drivers.
• Hardware Conflicts: A new piece of hardware or its driver conflicts with the system.
• Overheating: Graphics card or CPU overheating can cause driver lockups.
• Overclocking:  Overclocking can push hardware beyond its stable limits, causing driver timeouts and system crashes.
• Corrupt System Files: Damaged Windows system files can interfere with proper driver communication.

Boot into Safe Mode (If PC Won’t Start)

Safe Mode starts Windows with only essential drivers and services. If the BSOD does not occur in Safe Mode, it confirms that the issue is caused by a driver or third-party software, not Windows itself.

Booting into Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, making it easier to troubleshoot.

• Force shutdown 3-4 times during startup to access Advanced Startup Options.
• Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 for Safe Mode.

If the error doesn’t appear in Safe Mode, the issue is almost certainly driver-related. In Safe Mode, disable the graphics card in Device Manager or uninstall its driver.

Update Graphics Drivers

This error is most commonly caused by graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel). Updating them fixes bugs, compatibility issues, and crashes.

• Right‑click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
• Expand the section you suspect (for example, Display adapters, Sound, video and game controllers, or Network adapters).
• Right‑click the device and select Update driver.
• Click Search automatically for drivers and let Windows search for available updates.
• Repeat this for other critical devices (GPU, chipset, storage controller, network card).

Again, an outdated BIOS can cause conflicts. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for updates.

Roll Back the Graphics Driver (If Error Started After Update)

If the BSOD started after a recent driver update, the new driver may be unstable on your system. Rolling back the update may resolve it.

• Open Device Manager
• Right-click your GPU → Properties
• Go to the Driver tab
• Click Roll Back Driver and follow the prompts.
• Restart your PC

This restores the previously stable driver version.

If the option is greyed out, it means Windows has no previous version stored. In that case, you can manually install an older driver from the manufacturer’s website.

Perform a Clean GPU Driver Installation

Sometimes driver files become corrupted or conflict with older versions. A clean install removes all traces of previous drivers.

• To do this, open the device manager
• Select the installed graphics driver.
• Right-click it and select Uninstall.
• This will prompt for confirmation to delete the driver.

Alternatively, you can use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove GPU drivers completely. And Reinstall the latest stable driver from the manufacturer’s website.

• NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
• AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support
• Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html

When installing, choose a clean install option if offered. This removes old, possibly corrupted driver remnants that can cause threads to hang.

Disable overclocking and revert to stock settings

Overclocking increases performance but reduces stability. Even small overclocks can cause driver timeouts. If your GPU or CPU is overclocked, revert to default settings.

• Enter your BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, etc. during boot).
• Look for any overclock profiles (for example: XMP, DOCP, Game Boost, OC Tuner).
• Disable them or set everything back to Auto or Default.
• Save changes and reboot.

If you use software overclocking tools (MSI Afterburner, ASUS GPU Tweak, Intel XTU, etc.), uninstall or disable them, and reset all sliders to their defaults.

Run System File Checker (SFC)

Sometimes, corrupted Windows system files can prevent drivers from communicating properly with your hardware, which might cause this stop code. But don’t worry—Windows offers a handy tool called System File Checker (SFC) that can fix these files and help everything run smoothly again.

• Open the command prompt as administrator.
• Type sfc /scannow and hit the Enter key.
• This will start the scan for missing or corrupted system files.
• If found any the SFC utility will restore them from a special folder located on %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.

Wait until 100% complete the scanning process, then restart Windows.

If SFC scan results show that Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them, run the DISM command in the same command prompt window: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Wait until the command completes at 100%, then rerun sfc /scannow.

Install the Latest Windows 11 Updates

Again, if your system is behind on updates, you may be missing fixes relevant to this exact error.

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Go to Windows Update, then click Check for updates
• Install all available updates, then restart your PC to apply them.

If the BSOD was caused by a known Windows bug or a bundled driver, this alone may resolve it.

Update Your BIOS / UEFI Firmware

On modern Windows 11 systems, BIOS/UEFI updates often improve CPU microcode, memory compatibility, and PCIe/graphics stability. Make sure the BIOS version is up to date to do this.

• Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, press Enter.
• Note BIOS Version/Date and System Model.
• Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s support page.
• Compare your BIOS version with the latest available.
• If the changelog mentions stability, Windows 11 support, or graphics fixes, consider updating.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly and avoid updating during power instability. A failed update can render the system unbootable.

Inspect your hardware (especially GPU and cooling)

This is a major cause of various computer errors. Your video card, in particular, can be affected by overheating. The card’s chipset can lock up when the card is overheated. Therefore, it is very important that you keep your computer cool. Both the fans and the UPS should be clean and functioning properly.

• Clean dust from fans, heatsinks, and vents using compressed air.
• Make sure the GPU and RAM sticks are seated correctly in their slots.
• Verify that all power connectors (24‑pin, 8‑pin CPU, and PCIe GPU cables) are securely plugged in.
• Monitor temperatures using tools like HWMonitor, HWiNFO, or GPU‑Z. If your GPU or CPU overheats, you might see BSODs when gaming or watching videos.
• If you recently added new hardware (another RAM stick, a new GPU, etc.), temporarily remove it and see if the problem goes away.

Also, always avoid installing nulled, pirated software on your PC. Regularly perform a full system scan for viruses and malware. Install only trusted applications and regularly check and install Windows updates to prevent this.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Thread Stuck in Device Driver a GPU issue?
Yes, in most cases it is related to graphics drivers or GPU hardware. However, other drivers (audio, storage, chipset) can also occasionally cause it.

2. Can Windows 11 updates cause this error?
Yes. A new Windows 11 update can change how drivers work and may conflict with older or buggy drivers. Updating the driver or rolling back the update sometimes helps.

3. Is this error dangerous for my PC?
The error itself is a protective measure. However, frequent crashes can lead to data loss and may indicate serious hardware or driver problems that should not be ignored.

4. Should I reinstall Windows to fix it?
Reinstalling Windows can fix issues caused by corrupt system files or bad software, but it won’t repair failing hardware. Try driver and system fixes first; consider reinstall only as a last resort.

5. Does undervolting help fix this error?
Yes, in some cases reducing GPU voltage improves stability.

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