DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error during windows install

[roshannn09]

Hi, I have a DELL vostro laptop at home. For some reason, it has windows boot loader but there are no files on the disk. So I made a bootable usb using rufus (I set everything correctly, GPT and UEFI settings in BIOS as well and disabled secure boot. My SATA mode is AHCI (we cannot change it in bios). So on booting from the usb drive, the setup loads for some 5 mins and then I get the blue screen of death with the stopcode: DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG. The setup never started.

I researched a bit on this and found out that this happens when windows initialises the pnp devices and one of it fails. Now I don't see any hardware failing, maybe something is failing but there's no way to check.

For checking, I tried to run Ubuntu installer using the same usb drive and it works fine. I also tried many other copies of Windows 11 from different sources but all gave the same error.

So what should I do now? How do I bypass this pnp device check and get the setup to run? Thankyou

 

[ChatGPT]

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing this issue with your DELL Vostro laptop. The DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error can occur when there is a problem with a Plug and Play (PNP) device driver during the Windows setup process. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this issue:

1. Update BIOS and drivers: Ensure that your BIOS is up to date. Visit the DELL support website and download the latest BIOS and chipset drivers for your laptop model. Install them before attempting the Windows installation again.
2. Check for hardware issues: Even if you don't notice any hardware failures, it's still worth doing a thorough check. Run hardware diagnostics on your laptop to identify any potential issues. DELL provides diagnostic tools that you can download and use for this purpose.
3. Disconnect non-essential peripherals: Sometimes, certain peripherals can interfere with the Windows installation process. Disconnect any external devices, such as printers, scanners, or USB hubs, and try the installation again.
4. Disable unnecessary devices in BIOS: If you're able to access your laptop's BIOS, try disabling any unnecessary devices, such as extra network adapters or USB controllers. This can help narrow down the cause of the issue.
5. Test with a different USB drive: Although you mentioned that you've tried multiple copies of Windows 11 from different sources, it's still worth testing with a different USB drive. Sometimes, USB drives can cause compatibility issues. Try using a different USB drive and recreate the bootable USB using Rufus.
6. Try an alternative installation method: If the issue persists, you may want to consider alternative installation methods. You mentioned that Ubuntu installer works fine, so you could try installing Ubuntu first and then dual-booting with Windows 11. If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's possible that there is a deeper hardware compatibility issue with your specific laptop model and Windows 11. In that case, you might want to reach out to DELL support for further assistance or consider using a different operating system. I hope these suggestions help you bypass the DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error and successfully install Windows on your laptop. Good luck!

 

[kemical]

How old is the lappie and has it run win 11 ok before now?

Check number 1 solution offered above.

 

[ChatGPT]

It looks like you're asking about the DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error during a Windows installation and whether the laptop in question was running Windows 11 properly before. This error typically arises due to issues with hardware drivers or devices connected to the laptop. Here's how to approach troubleshooting:

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1. How Old is the Laptop?​

• The age of the laptop could impact compatibility with Windows 11.
• If the laptop was working fine with Windows 11 before, it’s likely a configuration or driver conflict that’s causing the issue now.
• If this is the first attempt at running Windows 11 on the laptop, ensure it meets the Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements.

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2. DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG Possible Causes​

1. Problematic Drivers:
   • The error suggests a Plug and Play (PnP) driver failure. This often means a specific device (internal or connected) is causing issues.
2. Outdated BIOS/UEFI:
   • An outdated firmware version may lack critical updates required for stable installations.
3. Hardware or Device Conflicts:
   • Faulty drives, devices still connected during installation, or even peripheral devices could interrupt the normal flow of installation.
4. Corrupted Installation Media:
   • Issues with the Windows installer (USB) can cause driver-related errors during setup.

---

3. Solutions​

Solution 1: Prepare a Fresh Windows Installation Media​

1. Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a new bootable USB for Windows 11.
2. Ensure the USB is FAT32 formatted (for UEFI installations).
3. Verify the ISO file's checksum to ensure it isn’t corrupted.

---

Solution 2: Disconnect Non-Essential Devices​

• Unplug all USB devices and external peripherals (printers, gamepads, USB hubs, etc.) before installation.
• If a secondary drive (HDD/SSD) is present, disconnect it so that only the primary OS drive is active.

---

Solution 3: Update BIOS or UEFI​

• Visit the laptop manufacturer's support page to download and install the latest firmware for your model.
• Flash your BIOS only if the update specifically addresses system stability or compatibility issues.

---

Solution 4: Boot into Safe Mode During Installation​

1. Restart your system while holding the Shift key and select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Safe Mode.
2. Check for errors or devices that may be loaded improperly.

---

Solution 5: Reset BIOS/UEFI Settings​

• Enter your BIOS setup (usually via F2, Del, or F10 during boot).
• Restore settings to factory or optimized defaults.
• Verify the boot mode is set correctly:

• UEFI for modern systems.
• CSM or Legacy for older setups.

---

Solution 6: Test Storage Drive and Memory​

1. Perform a diagnostic on your drives:
   • Use the installer’s command prompt (Shift + F10 during setup) and run:
     

      chkdsk /f /r C:

2. Test your RAM:
   • Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or boot from a MemTest86 USB and check for errors across multiple passes.

---

Solution 7: Run Installation in "Low Resource" Mode​

• Boot into the Windows installation environment and:
  • Disable unnecessary features such as "Fast Boot" in the BIOS.
  • Install Windows without enabling internet connectivity to prevent third-party drivers from auto-downloading prematurely.

---

4. If The Laptop Previously Ran Windows 11​

If the laptop ran Windows 11 before with no issues:

• The problem is highly likely tied to corrupt installation media, BIOS updates, or a driver/device conflict.

If this is the first time attempting Windows 11:

• Confirm TPM 2.0 is enabled in the BIOS along with Secure Boot.

---

5. Follow-Up​

Let us know:

• How old the laptop is and its exact model.
• Whether it ran Windows 11 ok before or if this is the first attempt.
• What "Solution 1" (mentioned above) you already tried.

These details can help refine troubleshooting further!