Fix: BSOD Error Driver Power State Failure (0x0000009F)

BSOD or Blue Screen of Death is a well-known term associated with the blue error screen in Windows. This error screen pops-up with a system crash, when a fatal system error has occurred. Usually, BSOD shows up for only once and the system fixes the issue after a reboot. But, sometimes, the error is too severe and cannot be automatically repaired by the system. Meaning, you will be stuck in a loop and you will keep seeing the BSOD every time you try to start your computer. Also, if you are stuck in such a loop, this also means you will not be able to log in on your computer. In such cases, you will have to fix the error to use your computer again.

 

What is Error Driver Power State Failure?

A BSOD shows up with an error message or error code. As you are here, that means you have stumbled upon the error Driver Power State Failure or error code 0x0000009F. Both the errors are the same. Generally, when you put your computer on sleep mode, and then wake it back up out of sleep mode, some devices don’t wake up in time or they don’t respond at all. When this happens, the system crashes and shows the error Driver Power State Failure.

But, this error can happen due to many other reasons as well. Sometimes BSOD shows this error along with the file name that is causing this error. In most cases, it is ntoskrnl.exe.

Other reasons that can cause this error are:

  • Faulty NVidia Graphics Card driver
  • USB Device Failure
  • Startup/booting error
  • Error while using – Photoshop, Autocad, Kaspersky Antivirus and McAfee Antivirus.

 

 

How to Fix Error Driver Power State Failure

The error can be caused by a number of issues. But, the good thing is, doesn’t matter what causes this error, we will help you fix it. We will use a number of methods to fix the problem. You simply need to follow and perform the methods, one by one, until the issue is fixed.

 

Before beginning with the methods, we will show you how to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10, if you are able to log in and if you are unable to log in, both. Why? Because to perform some methods, you will have to be in Safe Mode.

 

How to Boot into Safe Mode

You can access Safe Mode in Windows 10 using a number of methods. Here, we will show you how to boot into Safe Mode using the methods which don’t require a Windows Installation Media or a recovery drive.

1. If you are able to log in

If you are able to log in on your computer, then you can boot into Safe Mode using System Configuration Tool. Follow the steps to do so.

 

Step 1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Run.

 

Run Run

 

Step 2. Now, type msconfig.exe and select OK. This will open System Configuration window.

 

Run Msconfig.exe



 

 

Step 3. In the System Configuration window, go to Boot tab. Here, under Boot options, mark the box beside Safe Boot, and then you need to select Minimal. Now click on OK.

 

Select Safe Boot Minimal

 

Step 4. A small pop-up dialog box will open up, asking you to restart now or later. Select Restart. This will restart your computer in Safe Mode.

 

2. If you are unable to log in

If you are unable to log in, meaning you are stuck in a BSOD loop, you will need to access Safe Mode using Automatic Repair Mode. Follow the methods to do so.

Step 1. Automatic Repair Mode can be kick-started by interrupting the booting process of a Windows 10 system three times. Which means, you will have to turn on your computer and while the Windows is loading, you have to turn it off by pressing and holding the power button for at least 4 seconds. Repeat this process two more times, and when you start your computer for the fourth time, you will be greeted with Automatic Repair screen. When you see the screen shown below in the screenshot, it means you have successfully activated the Automatic Repair Mode.

 

Preaparig Autoatic Repair

 

Step 2. Wait for a few seconds as your computer diagnoses your PC.

 

Diagnosig Your Pc

 

Step 3. When you see the Automatic Repair screen, click on Advanced options.

 

Autoatic Repair Adaced Optios

 

Step 4. Select Troubleshoot in Choose an option screen.

 

Windows Setup Troubleshoot

 

Step 5. Click on Advanced options in Troubleshoot screen.

 

Troubleshoot Select Advanced Options1.png

 

Step 6. In the Advanced options screen, you need to select Startup Settings.

 

Startup Settings

 

Step 7. The last step will lead you to Startup Settings screen. Here, you will see a number of options, which you can change after restarting your computer. The Enable Safe Mode is also mentioned in it. Select Restart here.

 

Startup Settigs Restart

 

Step 8. After performing the last step, your computer will restart and then you will see a new Startup Settings screen. Here you will see ways to access three types of Safe Mode among other options. You can choose according to your need. To select Safe Mode press F4, for Safe Mode with Networking press F5 and for Safe Mode with Command Prompt press F5.

 

Startup Settings Select Safe Mode

 

Step 9. After selecting the preferred Safe Mode in the last step, your computer will restart and boot into the select Safe Mode.

 

1. Remove Recently Installed Drivers

In the first method, we will remove the drivers which you have recently installed or upgraded. Why? Because sometimes the drivers of a device can create problems for system files, which can lead to the error Driver Power State Failure.

 

Note: To perform this method, your computer needs to be in Safe Mode. To access Safe Mode, use one of the methods mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

 

Step 1. After starting your computer in Safe Mode, right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.

 

Device Manager

 

Step 2. If you see any device with a yellow mark or if any of the drivers were updated recently, right-click on that device. Select Uninstall device.

 

Uninstall Device Driver

 

Step 3. Repeat the process and uninstall all the devices with yellow marks and/or recently updated drivers.

 

Step 4. Restart your computer.

 

Note: If you are able to find the troubled driver which was causing the problem, go to your computer’s manufacturer website and find the latest version driver for that device. If the latest version also causes trouble, install the older version which was compatible with your computer.

 

When the computer restarts, check if you are still seeing the same error. If you are, follow the next method.

 

2. Turn Off Fast Startup

In this method, we will try and fix this error by turning off fast startup.

Note: Though this method doesn’t require you to be logged in on Safe Mode, if you are unable to log in on your computer, you should boot into Safe Mode. You can do so by using the method mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

Step 1 – Search POWERCFG.CPL in windows search box

Step 2 – Click on Powercfg.cpl 

Powercfg Cpl Min

Step 3. Click on Choose what the power button does.

 

Choose What A Power Button Does

 

Step 4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.

 

Change Settings Currently Unavailable

 

Step 5. Now, here you will have to uncheck the box beside Turn on fast startup (recommended). Click on Save Changes.

Tur O Fast Startup

 

 

Step 6. Restart your computer.

 

The error must be solved by now. If it’s not, follow the next method.

 

3. Change Power Plan Settings

Many users have reported that changing the power plan settings has fixed the problem for them. So, we will change the power plan settings in this method and see if this helps you.

Note: This method doesn’t require you to be logged in on Safe Mode, but if you are unable to log in on your computer, you should boot into Safe Mode. You can do so by using the method mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

 

Step 1 – Search POWERCFG.CPL in windows search box

Step 2 – Click on Powercfg.cpl 

Powercfg Cpl Min

 

Step 3. Now, click on Change plan settings.

 

Change Plan Settings 1

 

Step 4. Select Change advanced power settings.

 

Change Advanced Power Settings

 

 

Step 5. The last step will open a Power Options pop-up window. Here, expand Sleep. Now, you need to make sure everything in Sleep after and Hibernate after is set to Never.

 

Sleep After Never Hibernate After Never

 

Step 6. Expand Power buttons and lid. Here, make sure everything in Lid close action and/or Power button action are set to Do nothing. Now click on OK.

 

Power Buttons And Lid Nothing

 

Restart your computer and check if this has fixed the problem for you. If it didn’t, you can roll back the changes you just made in this method as they are not affecting the error. When you are done, follow the next method.

 

 

4. Perform SFC Scan

Corrupt system files can also lead to this error. In this method, we will scan your system for corrupted files. If the scan finds any problematic files, it will repair them.

Note: This method doesn’t require you to be logged in on Safe Mode, but if you are unable to log in on your computer, you should boot into Safe Mode. You can do so by using the method mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

 

Step 1. Go to Cortana and type Command Prompt. Right-click on Command Prompt from results and select Run as administrator.

 

Command Prompt As Admin

 

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

 

Wait for the scanning process to complete. It can take up to 15 minutes. When the process is done, restart your computer and check if this has fixed the issue. If it hasn’t, perform the next method.

 

 

5. Perform DISM Scan

If the SFC scan hasn’t worked for you, then try the DISM scan.

Note: This method doesn’t require you to be logged in on Safe Mode, but if you are unable to log in on your computer, you should boot into Safe Mode. You can do so by using the method mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

 

Step 1. Go to Cortana and type Command Prompt. Right-click on Command Prompt from results and select Run as administrator.

 

Command Prompt As Admin

 

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after typing each one.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

 

Step 3. Restart your computer.

 

Check if this method has fixed the problem for you or not. If you are still seeing the same BSOD error, perform the next method.

 

 

6. Roll Back Graphics Card Driver to the Previous Version

It is known that the graphics card can also cause this problem. Mostly, NVIDIA graphics card causes trouble. So, we will roll back its drivers to the previous version and see if it fixes the problem. Also, if you don’t have NVIDIA graphics card on your computer, you can perform this method with the graphics card you are using in your computer.

Note: This method doesn’t require you to be logged in on Safe Mode, but if you are unable to log in on your computer, you should boot into Safe Mode. You can do so by using the method mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

 

Step 1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.

 

Device Manager

 



Step 2. Expand Display adapters and right-click on your graphics card name. Select Properties.

 



Graphics Card Properties

 

Step 3. Go to Driver tab. Follow one of the following sub-step according to your case.

A) If you are able to see Roll Back Driver, click on it. This may take some time. Wait for it to finish.

 

Roll Back Driver Nvidia

 

B) If you are unable to click on Roll Back Driver, click on Uninstall Device. After removing the driver, go to your graphics cards’ or computers’ manufacturer’s website and download the older version driver of the graphics card.

 

Uninstall Device Nvidia

 

Step 4. Restart your computer.

 

Check if this solution has worked for your or not. If you are still stuck with the error, try the next method.

 

 

7. Change NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

In this method, we will change power management settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel. This method is for users having NVIDIA graphics card in their computer. If you have AMD graphics card, you can use similar steps to perform this method in its Catalyst Control Center.

Note: This method doesn’t require you to be logged in on Safe Mode, but if you are unable to log in on your computer, you should boot into Safe Mode. You can do so by using the method mentioned before these methods. After booting your computer into Safe Mode, follow the steps below.

 

Step 1. Go to Cortana and type Control Panel. Select the same from results.

 

Open Control Panel Pink

 

Step 2. Click on Appearance and Personalization.

 

Appearence And Personalization

 

Step 3. Select NVIDIA Control Panel. This will open the NVIDIA Control Panel in a new window.

Step 4. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, click on Manage 3D settings. It is located on the left side. Now, you need to select your graphics card as dedicated graphics in Preferred Graphics Processor. After that, under Settings, look for Power Management and change its settings to Prefer maximum performance.

 

Nvidia Prefer Max Performance

 

Step 5. Restart your computer.

 

This should fix the problem. If you are still getting the BSOD along with the same error, try the next method.

 

8. Remove Incompatible Applications

As we mentioned earlier, some applications and third-party antivirus can be incompatible, which can lead to error Driver Power State Failure. So, you will have to uninstall such applications and antivirus software. This should fix the issue. If using any of those troubled applications is important to you, then download and use an older version of that application, which is compatible with your computer. And about the third-party antivirus, Windows 10 already includes Windows Defender, which works fine in securing your computer from viruses and malware. If you want to use a third-party antivirus, just try some other antivirus, which is compatible with your computer and doesn’t cause any problem.

 

We hope we were able in helping you fix the Blue Screen of Death error Driver Power State Failure. If you were able to solve this error using some other methods, or if you have any questions regarding this error, please mention them below in comments.