If you’re getting a WDF_Violation blue screen error on Windows 11 and wondering what you are supposed to do next, this post is for you. In this post, we’ll offer you 8 DIY solutions to resolve the WDF_Violation error.

So, let’s dive right in.

What causes the WDF_Violation blue screen error?

WDF stands for Windows Driver Framework. It is a set of Microsoft tools and libraries that simplify the process of writing high-quality device drivers. Therefore, usually the WDF_Violation error occurs because of an issue with a specific driver, like a video or display driver. In some cases, the root cause is a faulty or outdated Bluetooth driver. Other reasons include faulty USB peripherals, corrupt system files, and a malware or virus attack.

On HP computers, the WDF_Violation blue screen error results from keyboard drivers or a specific system file called HpqKbFiltr.sys.

How to fix the WDF_Violation error?

The first two solutions apply only two HP users. If you’re not an HP user, head to solution 3 and work your way down until you’re able to fix the issue.

Solution #1 – Remove HP keyboard driver (For HP users)

Here’s what to do:

• Reboot your computer 3 times to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
• Next head to Troubleshoot, click Advanced options, and then click Command Prompt
• Type the following commands, based on your Windows version, and hit Enter

32-bit Windows

64-bit Windows

• Now exit Command Prompt and reboot your PC

Solution #2 – Reconfigure HpqKbFiltr.sys (For HP users)

On HP computers, the error may also occur when a specific system file — called HpqKbFiltr.sys — becomes corrupted. You can fix this issue by performing the following steps:

• Reboot Windows three times to access WinRE
• Head to Troubleshoot, click Advanced options, and then click Command Prompt

• Type the following commands and hit the Enter key

Solution #3 – Run System Repair

• Look for Startup Repair once your system boots into WinRE or booty your PC using the Windows installation disk and then click Repair your computer
• Click Troubleshoot and then Advanced Options
• Go to Startup Repair, choose the targeted operating system if you’ve more than one, and let Windows fix the issue by itself
• Once the repair process finishes, restart Windows and check if the problem is resolved

Solution #4 – Disconnect USB Peripherals

A lot of times the WDF_Violation error arise due to one or more USB peripherals. Disconnect all peripheral devices, such as mouse, printer, external camera, etc., and check if that fixes the problem.

If not, try disabling all USB ports from BIOS. Here’s what to do:

• Restart your system and continue pressing the Del or F2 key to access BIOS (The exact key you need to press depends on the make of your computer, but generally it is the delete key or one of the function keys)
• Once you’re inside BIOS, go to Advanced Tab, and then head to Miscellaneous Devices > External USB Ports and then select disable External USB ports
• Save the changes and exit BIOS
• Reboot the system and check whether the error is fixed

Solution #5 – Uninstall Bluetooth driver in Safe Mode

If you’re not able to boot into Windows due to WDF_Violation blue screen of death error, force a Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) entry and uninstall Bluetooth driver.

To force a WinRE entry, follow these steps:

• Start your computer
• As soon as you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button until the system shuts down
• Repeat the first two steps two more times
• Now, boot Windows and it should automatically enter WinRE

Once you’re inside WinRE, follow these steps:

• Click Troubleshoot and then click Advanced options
• Next, go to Startup Settings and click Restart
• Press the F5 key on the keyboard to select Enable Safe Mode with Networking

• Now press Windows + X keys and choose Device Manager (an inbuilt utility in Windows that lets you view, manage, and configure hardware devices connected to your computer)
• Expand the Bluetooth node in the Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth device, and select Uninstall device
• Select the Delete the driver software for this device option in the next window and then click Uninstall

If your PC is able to boot normally after the WDF_Violation error, you can uninstall Bluetooth driver directly via Device Manager. Here’s what to do:

• Click the Windows icon in the taskbar, type device manager in the search bar, and hit Enter
• In the Device Manager window, expand the Bluetooth category
• Right-click the Bluetooth device and choose Uninstall device

• Select the Delete the driver software for this device option and click Uninstall

• Restart your computer and check if the error is fixed

Solution #6 – Update device drivers

As said before, the WDF_Violation error can occur due to the corruption of specific drivers. For example, if the video or display driver is outdated or corrupt, it could trigger the error.

To fix the issue, you need to update the corrupt or outdated device driver. You can do this automatically, using a reliable third-party tool, such as Driver Updater. Alternately, you can update the driver manually via Device Manager.

Updating device drivers automatically with Driver Updater is simple, easy, and fast. With just a single mouse click, the software will scan your entire system to identify outdated or corrupt drivers and update them automatically. For more information on Driver Updater, check out the last section of the post.

If you’re someone who’s comfortable using Device Manager, you may choose to update drivers manually. Here’s what to do:

• Click the Windows icon in the taskbar, type device manager in the search bar, and hit Enter
• In the Device Manager window, expand the Display Adapters category
• Right click the display adapter and select Update driver

• Select Search automatically for drivers

• Windows will now search the system for the best driver version and install it

If you receive a message stating that Windows has determined you’re already running the best driver version, head to the manufacturer website and downloading the latest driver directly from there. Make sure you select the latest driver meant for your operating system version. For example, if you use Win 11 32-bit OS, the downloaded driver should be designed for 32-bit computers, not 64-bit.

Solution #7 – Perform a System Restore

If none of the above solutions have worked, you may want to perform System Restore. This will revert system to an earlier state when there was no WDF_Violation error.

If you can boot into Windows, perform these steps to complete the System Restore operation:

• Click the Windows icon in the taskbar, type create a restore point in the Search bar, and hit Enter
• In the System Properties window, click the System Protection tab
• Click System Restore
• Choose the restore point you want to use and then click the Next button
• If you want to check out which programs and drivers might be affected, click Scan for affected programs
• Click Next
• Click the Finish button to launch the system restore process
• Once your pc has been restored to an earlier state, the computer will reboot automatically

If you’re unable to boot into Windows, first access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). For that, start your computer and, as soon as the Windows logo appears, press the power button until the system shuts down. Do this two more times. Then power on your computer again to boot into WinRE.

From there, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore to launch the restoration process.

Solution #8 – Reset or reinstall Windows

If nothing has worked for you, try factory resetting Windows 11 as the last resort.

• Click the Windows icon in the taskbar
• Type settings in the Search bar and press Enter
• In the Settings app window, click System in the left pane and then click Recovery
• Click Reset PC under the “Reset this PC” heading
• Select the preferred option for removing or keeping files
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the Reset process

That’s it! Let us know which solution worked for you by leaving a comment below. Also, share the post so that others facing the WDF_Violation error can benefit.

How to update device drivers automatically?

The easiest and the fastest way to update drivers is by using a smart third-party tool such as Driver Updater. It has been around for a while and is the go-to choice for thousands of Windows users for updating device drivers.

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download