How to fix DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error in Windows 10

What is DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error

DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG is one of the BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) errors that pop-ups whilst installing an update. This means that during the process, the system froze and eventually went down facing the Blue Screen. Blue Screen, therefore, says that Windows is gathering additional information about the problem in order to automatically solve it. It also displays the error code at the bottom that can be used for manual search for a solution. However, Windows does not always resolve such issues, even if it does, the error will persist and appear from time to time. DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG may be related to multiple reasons such as driver, updates, disk and configuration issues, Thus, you will have to spend some time on testing each solution that is listed below to rectify the annoying error.

Automatic Repair

Download Windows Repair Utility

1. Scan for malware

Before we start off, I would recommend scanning your PC for malware attacks. Malware is a precursor of all troubles. Different infections can modify settings, damage or even delete vital segments. Thus, you should perform a scan by a preferred anti-malware utility. To save your time, we have attached a link for downloading Norton Antivirus that easily detects suspicious applications and threats that can misuse your system.

Download Norton Antivirus

2. Run Windows Update Troubleshoot

If you are one of those people who receive the Blue Screen when updating the system, then this method is right for you. Just follow the steps below:

1. Left-click on the Start Menu button in the bottom left corner of the screen and choose Settings. You can also use Windows + I combination.
2. Then select Update & Security.
3. In the opened tab, go to the left-panel menu, find and click Troubleshoot.
4. After that find Windows Update and click on it.
5. In the drop-down click on the Run the TroubleShoot button.
6. Let Windows scan for the issues and fix them. After finished, restart your pc and try to install the update again.

3. Pause automatic updates

Another good way to evade the popping up error is to temporarily delay automatic updates. Note that this will not eradicate the problem totally, instead, it will postpone it for some time.

1. Left-click on the Start Menu button in the bottom left corner of the screen and choose Settings.
2. Select Update & Security, then move to the right panel.
3. Click the Advanced options link.
4. Go to the Pause Updates section, then click the Select Date.
5. Once the drop-down list will appear, you can choose a date to delay automatic updates.

4. Running the System File Checker (SFC) scan

Sometimes BSoD errors can be caused by file corruption. Therefore, we will scan your system for damaged or missing intel that could arise the issue. To do so:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching tab next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

5. Damaged disk fragments

Often, hardware may be damaged by third-parties programs, malware or manual manipulations. Hence, this specific method implies scanning the local disk for potential errors and immediately fix them. For this, we have to launch a console as we did before.

1. Find Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box. Then right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
2. In the black console, you should paste the chkdsk /f /r C: command and press Enter. If necessary, replace “C” with the letter of your hard drive.
3. The system will scan for both configuration and physical errors and automatically repair them.

6. Update drivers

Lastly, the name of the error may logically indicate driver problems. Although this is not always the case, outdated or malfunctioned drivers can cause this and similar errors. Thereby, you need to find and install new drivers if available. If you want to do it automatically, then you can grant this task for IObit Driver Booster that will detect obsolete or missing drivers and replace them as a result. Here is a button to download the utility.

Download Driver Booster  
Instructions for manual update:

1. Left-click on the Start Menu button and choose Device Manager.
2. If you do not know which driver is causing the problem, then you should update them one-by-one. Right-click on them and choose Update driver. Sometimes malfunctioned drivers are marked with a yellow rectangle.
3. Let Windows search for new drivers and download them by following the on-screen instructions.

Hopefully, our guide has helped you stop facing DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error. Basically, all of the BSOD issues have similar solutions, it only comes down to little details that may differ from each other.