DCP Watchdog Violation issue while gaming

[kaywest]

I am getting consistent blue screens on certain games and the error codes I am getting on the blue screens keep changing the last one was

DCP Watchdog violation

but I've also had Page Fault in the non page area and Unexpected Kernnel Mode Trap.

This seems to be happening mostly in Call of Duty MW 3 and Assetto Corsa Competizione.

I did recently put a new Kingston SSD in this system and a couple days ago I reset Windows 10. I did not have this issue with my last SSD.

 

[ChatGPT]

The DCP Watchdog Violation, Page Fault in non-paged area, and Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap are all common error codes that indicate issues with your system's drivers or hardware. It's not uncommon to experience these errors after installing a new SSD or performing a Windows 10 reset, as these actions can sometimes lead to conflicts or issues with the operating system.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue:
1. Update your drivers: Make sure that all your drivers, especially those related to your graphics card and SSD, are up to date. You can manually download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website or use a driver update tool to simplify the process.
2. Check for hardware issues: Run a hardware diagnostic test to check the health of your RAM, SSD, and other components. This will help determine if any faulty hardware is causing the issue.
3. Verify system requirements: Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements of the games you're experiencing issues with. If your hardware falls below the required specifications, you may encounter crashes or performance issues.
4. Disable overclocking: If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, try disabling the overclock and test your games again. Overclocking can cause instability and crashes, especially if not done properly.
5. Clean boot: Perform a clean boot to start Windows with only essential services and processes. This can help identify if any third-party software or services are causing conflicts with your games.
6. Check for overheating: Monitor your system's temperatures during gameplay to ensure that it's not overheating. Overheating can lead to crashes, so make sure your cooling system is working properly and that your components are not covered in dust.
If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may be helpful to gather more information about the specific error codes by searching them online or posting the details on a relevant technical support forum. This will provide more insight into the possible causes and solutions for your particular situation.

 

[ussnorway]

DCP Watchdog violation will be the Ram chip is faulty, the drivers are not correct/ out of date or the system is overclocked too high

given you replace a SSD and did a Windows update i think drivers is more likely than actual bad hardware but in any case a Ram stress test should be the next step

 

[ChatGPT]

You’ve absolutely nailed the common root causes of the DPC Watchdog Violation error! This blue screen (BSOD) often points to either driver, hardware, or excessive overclocking problems—and your suggestion of focusing on drivers first, given the recent SSD change and Windows update, is spot on! Let’s expand with a structured approach to cover all scenarios, especially the drivers and RAM stress testing you mentioned.

---

1. Likely Cause: Outdated or Faulty Drivers​

After replacing hardware (like the SSD) or running updates, it’s common for driver mismatches or outdated builds to cause DPC Watchdog violations.

Steps for Driver Checks and Updates:​

• Update Storage/SSD Controller Drivers:
• Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
• Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
• Right-click on each entry (like Standard SATA AHCI Controller) and choose Update Driver.
• Alternatively, download the latest driver from your motherboard or SSD manufacturer (e.g., Samsung Magician for Samsung SSDs, Crucial Storage Executive for Crucial drives).
• Graphics Driver:
• Update your GPU drivers (common culprits in gaming-related Watchdog errors):
• NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
• AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support
• Intel Graphics: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/
• Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to remove old GPU drivers entirely before a fresh install.
• Other Critical Drivers:
• Chipset Drivers: Download from your motherboard manufacturer (Intel, AMD).
• Audio/Networking Drivers: Ensure NIC and audio drivers aren't conflicting.

---

2. Test the RAM (Potential Faulty Module)​

As you recommended, given the BSOD could stem from faulty hardware, running a RAM stress test next makes perfect sense.

Steps to Test RAM:​

• Use Windows Memory Diagnostic (Built-in):
• Press Win + S and type Windows Memory Diagnostic.
• Choose Restart now and check for problems.
• Review the results after the test completes.
• Use MemTest86 (Thorough Testing):
• Download MemTest86: https://www.memtest86.com/
• Create a bootable USB with the tool and restart your computer.
• Run the test for several passes (4+ passes recommended). Any reported errors indicate faulty RAM, and you should test each stick individually.

---

3. Overclocking: Potential System Instability​

If the system is overclocked (CPU, GPU, or RAM), excessive settings may lead to Watchdog violations due to instability.

Solution:​

• Disable all overclocks and load default BIOS settings:
• Enter BIOS/UEFI during boot (Del, F2, or your motherboard’s key).
• Look for a “Load Optimized Defaults” or similar option.
• Set RAM to JEDEC standard speeds (i.e., don’t use XMP profiles for now) and test if the BSOD persists.

---

4. Check SSD and Disk Health​

Since the SSD was recently replaced, issues with its firmware or connection could also cause the error.

Steps:​

• Update SSD Firmware:
• Check the manufacturer’s website for firmware updates or use the included tool (e.g., Samsung Magician, Crucial Storage Executive).
• Run a Health Check:
• For Samsung SSDs: Use Samsung Magician's built-in health scan.
• For general drives: Use CrystalDiskInfo or similar tools to verify SMART values (look for errors like reallocated sectors or high temperatures).
• Run a Disk Check:
• Open Command Prompt (Win + S > cmd > Run as Administrator) and type:
  

  cmd
  chkdsk /f /r

• Allow it to fix any drive errors on restart.

---

5. Additional Steps for the Diligent Approach​

If the above doesn’t solve it, consider these further tweaks:

A. Disable Fast Startup in Windows (Manages certain drivers at boot):​

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup.

B. Update BIOS/UEFI:​

• Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates. A newer BIOS version might improve stability for your specific hardware configuration.

C. Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) Tweaks:​

• DPC Watchdog Violations are sometimes caused by delayed GPU responses. Increase the TDR timeout value:
• Open Regedit (Win + R > regedit).
• Navigate to:
  

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers

• Create a new DWORD (32-bit) key called TdrDelay and set its value to 10.

---

6. Monitor for Patterns​

If the BSOD continues, note the stop codes or any associated file names in the BSOD error (e.g., a specific driver like nvlddmkm.sys for NVIDIA GPUs). This additional context can narrow down the source of the issue.

---

Summary​

Your advice to suspect faulty/outdated drivers first is an excellent call given the recent SSD replacement and Windows update. Here’s the priority list:

• Test/Update storage and graphics drivers.
• Stress-test the RAM to rule out hardware faults.
• Check SSD firmware and disk health.
• Eliminate overclocking to ensure stability.

Let me know if any of these steps expose the culprit or if more tailored help is needed with any of them!