The DPC Watchdog Violation with an error code 0x00000133 may suddenly appear during startup, while playing games, while updating Windows, or while surfing the web. After this error has appeared, your computer will crash, a blue screen will be shown, and your computer will automatically restart. If you frequently get DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11 or have encountered the 0x00000133 error code in Windows 10, there is no need to be afraid.
The issue is usually caused by outdated drivers, incompatible SSD firmware, corrupted system files, faulty hardware, or Windows update conflicts. This guide explains what causes the error and provides practical solutions to eliminate it.
What is Error 0x00000133?
This Stop Code refers to a DPC Watchdog Violation. DPC is an abbreviation for Deferred Procedure Call, which is a mechanism employed by Windows to handle high-priority tasks within the operating system.
A watchdog timer is used to track these processes. In case of any delay beyond the estimated time required by a particular driver or hardware part to handle a task, Windows determines that something has not worked well and the system is stopped instantly to avoid data loss.
Causes of DPC Watchdog Violation Error
There are several causes of 0x00000133 BSOD:
- SSD controller drivers being outdated
- Device drivers being corrupted
- Windows updates being faulty
- System files being damaged
- Incompatible SSD firmware
- Memory being faulty
- Hard drive or SSD being faulty
- Issues with BIOS being compatible
- Hardware being incompatible externally
Good news is that all these causes can be corrected without having to reinstall Windows.
How to Fix 0x00000133 BSOD Error
Solution 1: Disconnect External Devices
Sometimes, there could be an issue between external hardware and the Windows drivers. It is recommended to unplug the USB drives, External Hard Disks, Printers, Docking Stations, Game Controllers, and USB Wi-Fi adapters. Now reboot your PC and see if the DPC Watchdog Violation Windows 11 error goes away.
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Solution 2: Install Windows Updates
There are regular fixes from Microsoft for BSOD errors. The steps are as follows.
1. Press Windows + I.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Choose Check for Updates.
4. Update all available updates.
4. Reboot your PC.
Most of the time, installing the latest version of Windows solves such 0x00000133 errors.
Solution 3: Update SSD Controller Driver
An outdated SATA/NVMe controller driver is one of the most frequent causes of this DPC Watchdog violation. Here are two methods to update drivers.
Method 1: Using Device Manager
- Press Windows+X.
- Click Device Manager.
- Expand either IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers or Storage controllers.
- Click on your controller.
- Go to Update Driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers.
- Restart Windows.
In case Windows cannot find a newer version of the driver, you can download it on the official website of your SSD/motherboard manufacturer.
Method 2: Using Advanced Driver Updater
1. Download and install Advanced Driver Updater.
2. Launch the app and click the Start Scan Now button.
3. A list of driver issues will appear on the screen.
4. Locate the Graphics Driver among the list and click on the update link next to it.
The update process will now begin. Restart your computer once the update is completed.
Note : Outdated drivers are a leading cause of BSOD errors. You should update other drivers as well, like the Graphics driver, Audio driver, Network adapter, Chipset driver, Bluetooth driver, and
Storage controller driver
Solution 4: Run System File Checker (SFC)
Corrupted Windows system files often trigger blue screen errors. Here is what you need to do.
1. Search for Command Prompt.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Enter sfc /scannow
4. Press Enter.
5. Wait until the scan finishes.
6. Restart your PC.
SFC automatically repairs damaged Windows files.
Solution 5: Repair Windows Image Using DISM
If SFC cannot repair all files, run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
2. Allow the scan to complete before restarting Windows.
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Solution 6: Check the Hard Drive for Errors
Disk corruption may also be the reason for the occurrence of this Blue Screen of Death. Here is how you will test the hard drive for errors.
1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and input the following command:
chkdsk C: /f /r
2.Hit Enter.
3. At the prompt, type Y
4. Reboot your computer.
Solution 7: Update SSD Firmware
SSD makers frequently provide firmware updates for better stability and compatibility. Here is the link to the official software for each brand of SSDs:
1. Samsung Magician
2. Crucial Storage Executive
3. WD Dashboard
4. Kingston SSD Manager
Apply the firmware update if available, then restart your computer.
Solution 8: Perform a Memory Diagnostic
Defective RAM can be a common reason for BSOD issues. These are the steps you should take.
1. Press the Windows key + R.
2. Write mdsched.exe
3. Press Enter.
4. Choose Restart now and check for problems.
Windows Memory Diagnostic will run a memory test automatically.
Solution 9: Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup occasionally causes driver initialization conflicts.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select Power Options.
3. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
4. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
5. Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
6. Save changes.
7. Restart Windows.
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Solution 10: Uninstall Recently Installed Software
If the 0x00000133 error started after installing software, it could be incompatible.
1. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps
2. Uninstall Antivirus software, Hardware monitoring tools, Driver updater utilities, and recently installed programs
3. Restart your PC afterward.
Solution 11: Scan for Malware
Malware might corrupt the Windows files and drivers. Run these applications.
- Full scan by Microsoft Defender
- Offline scan by Microsoft Defender
Alternatively, you could run an antivirus program for another opinion.
Solution 12: Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot will be helpful in detecting such software conflicts. Follow these steps.
1. Press Windows key + R.
2.Write:
msconfig
3. Press Enter.
4. Go to the Services tab.
5. Select “Hide all Microsoft services”.
6. Then click “Disable All”.
7. Go to the “Startup” tab.
8. Click on “Open Task Manager”.
9. Disable all startup applications.
10. Reboot your computer.
Now, if the BSOD problem vanishes, try enabling services one by one until you detect the conflicting software.
Tips to Prevent DPC Watchdog Violation Errors
To avoid the DPC Watchdog Violation on Windows 11 problem:
- Make sure Windows is up-to-date.
- Use only genuine drivers.
- Update SSD firmware.
- Do not overclock.
- Check SSD and HDD status.
- Delete unnecessary software that launches at startup.
- Keep an eye out for malware.
- Backup important data.
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Conclusion
Blue screen of death 0x00000133 or DPC Watchdog Violation is commonly caused by problems related to the driver, storage controller, firmware, or hardware. Luckily, for the most part, driver updates, system file repair, verification of your storage device, and Windows updates should be all that is needed to fix the blue screen. If none of the above fixes work, you may want to test your hardware devices one by one or do a Windows Reset with data retention.