Windows BCM20702A0 driver

Bluetooth problems in Windows computers are often related to incorrect or missing drivers for a Bluetooth device. In the case of the Broadcom BCM20702A0 device, the right BCM20702A0 driver is required for the device to function in Windows. Otherwise, the device will not work and show an error. Any other Bluetooth devices depending on the BCM20702A0 device will most likely also not work or not be recognized.

What is BCM20702A0?

BCM20702A0 refers to a Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0 chip. It is often used in USB Bluetooth dongles, but can also be embedded directly in a computer (laptop or desktop). The chip implements Bluetooth communication which allows a Windows-based PC with this device to connect to external, wireless devices that support Bluetooth. Examples are headsets, game controllers, printers, mice, mobile phones, and similar.

BCM20702A0 driver

Since the BCM20702A0 chip is used on hardware solutions from different manufacturers, a driver specific to the manufacturer may be required to ensure the BCM20702A0 device is recognized by Windows. Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and others all have drivers available for hardware using the BCM20702A0 chip.

BCM20702A0 Related Problems

If the BCM20702A0 driver is not installed, or not compatible with the installed device or Windows version, there will be an error. In the Windows Device Manager, the device will be listed under the Other devices category. An exclamation mark on the device icon indicates it is not working properly.

The possible error message for not working Bluetooth devices in Windows:

  • This device cannot start. (Code 10)
    Bluetooth code 10 error
  • The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
    Bluetooth code 28 error
    In Windows 10 and Windows 11, the message will say “There are no compatible drivers for this device”. Instead of “There is no driver selected for the device information set or element”.
  • This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)
    Bluetooth code 31 error

In normal circumstances, all working Bluetooth devices will show in the Bluetooth category in the Device Manager. If the right driver is not installed, this category might not show at all.

Bluetooth USB Module device

The result of a non-working Bluetooth module is that Windows will not be able to connect to any Bluetooth devices. Pairing Bluetooth devices will be impossible.

Steps to solve BCM20702A0 problems in Windows

The most common cause of the problems related to the BCM20702A0 device is a driver problem. So, in solving the error, the first steps are focused on getting the right driver installed. If after that, the device still does not work, try the other methods to fix the issue.

Before starting with the steps, make sure that the Bluetooth USB dongle is plugged in case an external Bluetooth solution is used. Trying to solve the Bluetooth problem without the device physically present in the computer will not work. This sounds silly but it is better to check than wasting time trying to fix a non-issue. Also, make sure you reboot your computer. Pending restarts after updates can be the source of problems.

Update the BCM20702A0 driver from the Device Manager

The Device Manager is the most common method to install and update drivers for devices in all Windows versions. So, try these steps to update the driver.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Run box and press Enter or click OK. This will open the Device Manager.
  3. In the Device Manager windows, locate the problematic Bluetooth device in either the Other devices category or the Bluetooth category.
  4. Right-click the BCM20702A0 device and in the popup menu, select Update Driver Software (Update driver in Windows 10 and Windows 11).
    BCM20702a0 driver update
  5. Use the Search automatically for drivers option to let Windows find the correct driver for the device. Click Close when the driver has been installed.

In case Windows does find a driver for the device, a driver will need to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

Manually download the BCM20702A0 driver

If Microsoft has not included a driver for the BCM20702A0 device in the version of Windows that you are running, a driver will need to be added manually. This means a Bluetooth interface driver needs to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Check your computer brand and model and locate the manufacturer’s support website to search for the driver.

Note: Broadcom used to support their own version of the Bluetooth software, including drivers. This WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software is no longer maintained and supported.

Once downloaded, run the setup or install program for the driver package to install the driver in Windows. Note that a user account with administrator privileges is required to install drivers.

If a driver is not available for your Windows version, you can try running it in compatibility mode. For example, say we are running Windows 10, but the Dell installer for the Bluetooth module is suited only for Windows 7. If there is no Windows 10 driver available, we run the Windows 7 installer as follows:

  1. Right-click the downloaded installer file.
  2. In the popup menu, select Properties.
  3. In the file properties dialog box, select the Compatibility tab.
  4. Under Compatibility mode, select the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode for (1), and select Windows 7 in the dropdown box (2).
    Compatibility mode Dell BT installer
  5. Click OK to confirm and close the properties dialog box.
  6. Now execute the driver installer again.

Note that the driver needs to match the Windows architecture in order to work. Installing a 32-bit driver on a 64-bit system will not work, even in compatibility mode.

If the downloaded driver package does not have a setup or install program, you need to manually install the driver using the Device Manager.

Update drivers using Microsoft Update

Microsoft has included support for many devices in every updated version of Windows. Although that means that many devices are detected and supported directly, some devices require optional updates. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, optional updates often include updated drivers for devices. To check if the Broadcom BCM20702A0 driver is available, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Settings windows from the Start menu.
  2. In the Settings window, select Windows Update.
  3. In Windows 11, click Advanced options (skip this step in Windows 10).
  4. Next, click View optional updates.
  5. Under Optional updates, click the Driver updates entry to expand the list and see the available driver updates.
    Windows 10 Optional Driver Updates
  6. If there is an entry for the BCM20702A0 driver, select it and click the Download and install button.

If no driver update is available for the Bluetooth device, the BCM20702A0 device is not supported in Windows. At least not by Microsoft directly. You will need to use the steps to manually download the driver to get it to work.

Restart the Bluetooth Services

This is the first of the steps that do not directly relate to the BCM20702A0 driver. Even if the driver is installed, the device can still give an error, which might be solved by one of the following solutions.

Windows uses several services (background tasks) for making sure the Bluetooth devices and functions can work. In some cases, a service may have a problem, and manually starting or restarting the service can fix the problem.

Here are the steps to restart the Bluetooth services in Windows.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type services.msc in the Run box and press Enter or click OK. This will open the Services window.
  3. In the Services window, locate the Bluetooth Support Service and right-click it.
  4. In the popup menu, click Restart.
    Restart Bluetooth Services
  5. Close the Services window when done.

You can repeat these steps for other Bluetooth services, like the Bluetooth Driver Management Service. If the services are not in a Running state, simply try starting them instead of restarting them. Not all Bluetooth services need to be running for the BCM20702A0 device to be detected and installed. Some are for support tasks, like audio over Bluetooth. But starting or restarting them manually ensures that they are not the reason the device is not working.

Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, there is the possibility to run a Windows troubleshooter for a number of problems. Microsoft has included a troubleshooter function for common problems that can be automatically solved. One such troubleshooter is the Bluetooth troubleshooter.

To execute the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 10, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Settings window from the Start menu.
  2. In the Settings window, select Update & security.
  3. Next, click Troubleshoot in the left-hand pane.
  4. In the right-hand pane, click the Additional troubleshooters link.
  5. Next, under Find and fix other problems, click the Bluetooth option.
    Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 10
  6. This will show the button Run the troubleshooter. Click it to start the troubleshooter.
  7. A new window will come up showing Windows is Detecting problems with Bluetooth. Wait for it to finish analyzing and fixing any Bluetooth-related issues.
  8. Click Close when done.

In Windows 11, the steps are a little different.

  1. Open the Settings window from the Start menu (or press the Windows + I keys).
  2. In the Settings window, click System.
  3. Next, click Troubleshoot in the right-hand pane.
  4. Click the Other troubleshooters link.
  5. Click the Run button next to Bluetooth under Other.
    Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 11
  6. Wait for the troubleshooter to finish analyzing and fixing any Bluetooth-related problems.

Note: The Bluetooth troubleshooter can take considerable time to complete.

Check the Airplane mode setting

This is mentioned as one of the last solutions since the option would normally only be used on portable devices for a specific reason. But if you have been traveling with your laptop, it is a step that is worth taking.

Personally, I simply disable the Bluetooth option in Windows and only enable it when needed. Active communication on any device is a security risk these days. But if you have Bluetooth turned on normally, you can opt to use the Airplane mode in Windows to disable all communication when traveling.

In both Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Airplane mode can be enabled or disabled by clicking the network icon in the taskbar and selecting the Airplane mode in the quick access popup window.

Airplane mode in Taskbar Quick Access
Note that the Airplane mode will show active when enabled (blue in this example but that will depend on the Windows theme). Airplane mode should be disabled for Bluetooth to work.

If you prefer to use the Windows Settings, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Settings window from the Start menu.
  2. In the Settings window, click the Network & internet option.
  3. Next, click the Airplane mode option.
  4. Now make sure both switches are in the Off position.
    Disable Airplane mode inWindows 10
    In Windows 11, you have the option to disable the Airplane mode directly, or like in Windows 10, select the Airplane mode option to control the individual settings.
    Airplane mode settings in Windows 11
    Windows 11 remembers which communication was on when you enable and disable Airplane mode. So, if only Wi-Fi was on and Bluetooth was off when airplane mode was activated, Bluetooth would remain off when airplane mode is disabled again. This is why it is a good idea to check this setting.
  5. Close the Settings window when done.

After this, the network and Bluetooth devices should be working. There is no need to restart the computer, the changes take effect immediately.

Reset the hardware devices

Windows keeps configuration information for all devices in the computer. In rare cases, the configuration of a device can be a problem. Installing similar devices with similar drivers, or installing additional USB devices on the same controller can result in a BCM20702A0-based device to stop working.

To fix the issue, it is possible to reset the device by removing it and letting Windows reinstall the device with the proper configuration settings. These steps need to be executed from within the Device Manager.

Follow the steps to update the BCM20702A0 driver from the Device Manager, but instead of picking the Update driver option, select the Uninstall option. In the Uninstall Device confirmation window, click the Uninstall button (1). This will remove the device from Windows. After this reboot to let Windows automatically detect and reinstall the device.

First, try the uninstall option and keep the drivers installed. If that does not fix the issue, use the option Delete the driver software for this device when uninstalling it (2). That will force Windows to reload the driver for the Bluetooth device.

Unistall Bluetooth device in Windows 10

If the BCM20702A0 device is a USB dongle, it can also help to uninstall the USB Host Controllers in the Universal Serial Bus controller category. These controllers ensure that all connected USB devices are detected are installed. Resetting them can solve problems caused by the USB interface itself.

If things are still not working after this, then you might still be able to get things working again. That partly depends on whether the BCM20702A0 device was working on your system previously. If it was, a system restore or system recovery can bring back the working BCM20702A0 driver.

For help in finding the right drivers for your Windows devices, including the BCM20702A0 device, you can use the DriverFinder program. By scanning the hardware present, it will locate and offer the required device drivers.

ScanSnap iX500 Driver for Windows 10/11

If your ScanSnap iX500 scanner stopped working on Windows 10 or Windows 11, it is most likely due to a driver problem. Fujitsu updated their scanner software from ScanSnap Manager to ScanSnap Home. Even though the iX500 model was introduced quite a few years ago (2013), it is still a popular and useful device.

The ScanSnap iX500 is a duplex color scanner for A4/Letter/Legal paper sizes with an automatic document feeder. Using the latest Fujitsu scanner software will allow it to keep on working on the latest Windows versions.

Download the ScanSnap software

You can download the software driver from the Fujitsu support website to get the ScanSnap iX500 working on Windows 10 or Windows 11. Follow the steps below.

  1. Open a web browser and navigate to the Fujitsu ScanSnap software download page.
  2. Under Discontinued scanners, click the ScanSnap iX500 This will open the ScanSnap iX500 software downloads page.
    ScanSnap Software Download
  3. Next, select the Windows version in the dropdown list (1), and then click the Display software list button (2).
    ScanSnap iX500 Windows 10
  4. Under Setup Programs, click the Download link next to the SnapScan Home Download Installer 2.7.0 (the version number might be higher when you visit the page).
    Download snapscan home download Installer
  5. This will open a new page to download the installer. Make sure your browser does not have a popup blocker active, or the new window will not open. Select your location and then click the Download Installer
  6. Read the license agreement and click the Agree button to start the software download.
  7. The software installer will be downloaded (depending on your browser you may need to select a download location).
  8. Open a File Explorer and navigate to the download location.
  9. Double-click the downloaded installer to execute it.
  10. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the ScanSnap Home software.
    Note: Additional files are downloaded during installation, so make sure your Internet connection is active. Also check available disk space, as he fully installed software takes over 740 MB.
  11. Restart your computer when finished.

Install the ScanSnap iX500 driver

After installing the ScanSnap Home software, the driver for the device can be installed.

  1. Execute the ScanSnap Home software.
  2. In the setup window, select the iX500 model and click the Start setup button.
    Install ScanSnap iX500 Driver
  3. Make sure the scanner power is connected and that the scanner is connected to the computer via a USB cable.
  4. Click Next to continue.
  5. Ensure the device is powered on (blue or purple Scan button), and then click Next.
  6. Wait for the device to be installed.
  7. Click the Finish button.

After the connection setup finishes, the driver for the iX500 will be installed and you can use the scanner with your Windows PC. Click the Scan button in the top-left corner to start scanning.

Need to find or update more device drivers for Windows? Download our DriverFinder program to automatically check your Windows PC.

FAQ

Can I still use the ScanSnap Manager with the iX500?

Yes, the ScanSnap Manager software can still be used for the iX500 for Windows 7 up to Windows 11. There will however be no new features and no updates with this software.

Can I keep my old scan settings?

Yes, if you switch from the ScanSnap Manager software to the ScanSnap Home software, you can keep your old scan settings. This entails creating a profile in the ScanSnap Home software and migrating the settings. For details on the migration, please see the instructions on the website.

Can I Install ScanSnap Home when I have ScanSnap Manager installed?

Yes, it is possible to have both the old and new software installed on the same configuration. When you install the new software, make sure the installation path is different (use the Custom install option). After installing the new version, you can safely delete the old software. Settings -> Apps -> ScanSnap Manager -> Uninstall.

How to fix the “Unable to connect with SnapScan” error?

First, make sure the latest version of the ScanSnap software is installed. Also, check that the Windows Image Acquisition service is running (starts automatically), and try changing the Log on as to a Local System account with the checkbox Allow service to interact with the desktop enabled.

The steps:

  1. Press the Windows + R keys to bring up the Run window.
  2. Enter services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
  3. In the Services window, scroll down to the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service.
    Windows WIA service
  4. Double-click the service.
  5. Make sure the Startup type is Automatic, and if the service is not running, click Start.
  6. Select the Log On tab.
  7. Select the Local System account radio button and mark the checkbox to Allow service to interact with the desktop.
    WIA serive log on type
  8. Click the OK button to confirm, and close the Services window.

If this does not fix the connection error, try disabling all other Imaging devices in the Device Manager.

How to fix “Make sure that ScanSnap is not being used by another user or application, and then try again.” error

This error may show in the ScanSnap software if the program cannot access the scanner. First, try the steps from the connect error.

If that does not work, try connecting the scanner directly to a (different) USB port on the computer. Don’t use a USB hub or a WiFi connection. Also, test the USB cable if you suspect it may be faulty.

If you are using the ScanSnap Manager software, you can run the ScanSnap support tool to check the access privileges for the scanner device. Start the support tool from the Start menu in the ScanSnap Manager group. In the support tool, select the Recover tab (1) and then click the Check button (2).
Check ScanSnap connection

After this, click the Recover button to find out if the problem has been resolved.

If the ScanSnap iX500 still supported by Fujitsu?

Even though the iX500 is considered a discontinued product, it is still being supported until January 31, 2024. Until this date software updates will still support the iX500. The recommended successor model is the iX1500, but even that model is scheduled to be discontinued by December 31, 2025.

Can I use other scanning software with my ScanSnap iX500?

Unfortunately, not. The scanner uses a driver that does not support the common TWAIN or ISIS standards for scanning devices. As a result, the iX500 will not show up as a scanning or imaging device in other scan applications. The ScanSnap Manager or ScanSnap Home software is required, which uses the Windows Imaging Acquisition driver.

A company called JSE Imaging Solutions has a TWAIN driver (SnapTwain) that works in combination with Fujitsu ScanSnap Home software. At EUR 99, it is a relatively expensive solution, but if you really need TWAIN support, you could try this option.

Download HP LaserJet P1007 Driver for Windows

HP LaserJet series printers have always been a solid choice when it comes to reliable high-demand printing. The LaserJet P1007 is one such model that is a popular choice with consumers and small offices. It is a small, light-weight, monochrome laser printer. But with newer versions of Windows, it may become harder to get support. If a driver is needed for Windows 10, or even Windows 11, you may need to download and install the HP LaserJet P1007 driver manually.

Manual install of the HP LaserJet P1007 Driver

To manually install the driver, download the installer from the HP support website and execute the installer.

  1. Open a web browser and navigate to the HP support page for printer software.
  2. Enter the model number in the search box under Enter your product name.
    HP printer Support Online
  3. Click the result link under the search box.
    Note: If the result link does not show, click the Submit button and click the HP LaserJet P1007 link in the search results.
  4. On the HP product support page, check that the Detected operating system matches your Windows version (1). If it does not, click the Choose a different OS link next to it to select the correct Windows version.
  5. Click the Driver-Product Installation Software link and then the Basic Drivers link to show the available driver details and download option.
    Download HP LaserJet P1007 Driver
  6. Click the Download link to download the printer driver installer (2).
  7. Open a File Explorer window and navigate to the file location of the downloaded installer.
  8. Double-click the file to execute the HP LaserJet P1007 driver installer. In this example, the file name is ljP1000_P1500-HB-pnp-win64-en.exe.
    Note: Click Yes in the User Account Control window when it shows to confirm the execution of the installer.
  9. Follow the instructions in the installer program to complete the driver installation.
    HP driver installer

This completes the manual installation of the driver. You can now use the HP P1007 printer in Windows and applications.

Installation without running the HP Driver Installer

If for some reason you cannot use the downloaded installer to install the printer, there is another option. Use a program like 7-Zip to extract the contents of the downloaded installer file.

  1. Download and install the 7-Zip program.
  2. Right-click the downloaded installer file in the Windows File Explorer.
  3. In the popup menu, select 7-Zip and then click Extract to “ljP1000_P1500-HB-pnp-win64-en.exe \” (the suggested folder name will vary depending on the name of the downloaded file).
    Note: In Windows 11, you may need to click Show more options in the popup menu before the 7-Zip option is visible.
    Extract HP LaserJet P1007 driver files

After this, use our instructions to manually install a driver in Windows to install the printer from the Windows Device Manager.

As always, we recommend you use DriverFinder to find and download the latest drivers for your Windows devices. The drivers for the HP LaserJet P1007 are included!

Hopefully with the above instructions, you can get your HP LaserJet P1007 working again. Even though it is from 2012, it can still function as a reliable printer.

How to Update Realtek Bluetooth Driver – Windows 11

The Bluetooth interface is used on Windows 11 (and Windows 10) systems to connect Bluetooth devices. Mobile phones, speakers, printers, or even another computer. Bluetooth wireless communication is ideal for short-range wireless communication. And like all hardware devices in Windows, the Bluetooth device needs a Bluetooth driver to function. The most common Bluetooth chips used in PCs are from Intel and Realtek.

If no driver is installed, Windows will not recognize the device, or Bluetooth will not function properly. So, if Bluetooth is not working in Windows 11, you might need to update the Bluetooth driver. In this article, we’ll show you how to update the Realtek Bluetooth driver. Of course, we also have instructions on updating the Intel Bluetooth driver.

Note: These instructions apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is important to update the Realtek Bluetooth driver on Windows 10 already, since the upgrade to a later Windows version can be blocked because of an old driver!

Windows 10 Update Problem Realtek Bluetooth

Updated Bluetooth drivers can solve this type of problem. Updated drivers will also make sure that any known bugs in previous versions are fixed, and performance and connectivity are maximized.

Automatically Update Drivers

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include support for a lot of devices by default. Drivers for the devices are either included in the Windows installation or retrieved during the Windows Update process.

If the Realtek Bluetooth driver needs to be updated, the first step is to run Windows Update. Also make sure that drivers updates are included in Windows Update, as automatic driver updates can be disabled in Windows!

Apart from Windows Update, a driver can also be updated from the Device Manager in Windows 11 directly.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys to bring up the run dialog box.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Run field and press Enter or click the OK button.
  3. In the Device Manager window, locate the device for which to update the driver. Right-click the device, and in the context menu select Update driver.
    Update Realtek Bluetooth driver
  4. Next select the option to let Windows Search automatically for drivers.
  5. Click the Close button when done.

For more details, also see installing driver updates using the Device Manager in Windows 11.

Another method to automatically update Windows drivers is to use the DriverFinder program. This software automatically scans all hardware devices in your PC and then recommends the appropriate device drivers for them. It will not just update the Realtek Bluetooth drivers, but allow you to update all your device drivers.

Manually Update the Realtek Bluetooth Driver

Manually updating drivers in Windows means downloading the driver installation files and running an installer or updating the driver from the Device Manager.

Driver files for Bluetooth devices can be available on the PC manufacturer’s website or the Realtek website. First, visit the support site of your PC manufacturer and check for updated drivers of your model. If they are not available, or still not the latest version, you can visit the Realtek website.

Realtek offers support for most of its devices online. This support includes the option to download Windows drivers for many of their devices.

Using the Realtek Support site

  1. Open a web browser and navigate to the Realtek software download page.
  2. On the Realtek web page, use the Product Line dropdown box to select Wireless Lan ICs.
    Realtek Wireless device support
    Note: Bluetooth is a wireless technology, so support is combined with Wi-Fi devices.
  3. Now select the Realtek Wireless LAN IC from the list on the web page that matches the device in your PC. Click the Software link next to it.
    Realtek Wireless LAN ICs
  4. On the specific Realtek LAN IC software page, locate the Bluetooth driver you need and click the download icon.
    Download Realtek Bluetooth driver
    Note: Most onboard Bluetooth solutions use a PCI Express implementation. External, pluggable solutions will use the USB option.
  5. On the Agree the Terms and Download page, select the checkbox I accept the above and then click the Download this file button.
  6. Finally, enter the Captcha and click the Go button.
    Realtek download Captcha
  7. Wait for the file to be downloaded and if required, select the location on disk to save the file. (This will depend on the browser being used.)
  8. Open a File Explorer and browse to the downloaded file. If the downloaded file is executable (EXE file extension), simply double-click the file to execute the driver installation and follow the on-screen instructions.
  9. If the downloaded file is an archive (ZIP file extension), right-click the file and select Extract All in the context menu.
    Extract Realtek driver files
  10. Select the location where to extract the files, and then click the Extract button.
    Extract ZIP archive
    Note: The default suggestion is okay in general, as it is a subfolder of the file’s current location.
  11. Double-click the subfolder in the opened File Explorer
  12. Now locate the setup.exe file in the subfolder and double-click it to execute the driver installation process. Follow the instructions on screen.
    Realtek Bluettoth Driver Installer

With the above instructions, you can download and install updated Realtek Bluetooth drivers for Windows. This should solve any issues you have with Realtek Bluetooth not working in Windows 11.

Fix Video DXGKRNL Fatal Error in Windows

The DXGKRNL fatal error in Windows is a Blue Screen of Death error (or STOP error) that will halt the operating system. A critical error in the DirectX software system causes this error.

When this error occurs, you will see the BSOD with the error message. Depending on the Windows version, the system will halt, or Windows will try to recover by scanning for problems.

Video DXGKRNL Fatal Error

Cause of the DXGKRNL Fatal Error

As mentioned, the problem is related to the DirectX graphics system that is installed in Windows. DirectX is a library that enables software to interact with the PC’s video and audio hardware. It is mainly used by gaming software. DirectX has been part of Windows since XP (version 9.0) until Windows 11 (version 12).

DirectX allows software to use the multimedia accelerator features of your video and audio hardware for great performance. But to do this, DirectX operates at a high security level in the operating system. So, if something goes wrong, problems are serious for the operating system.

What can go wrong? Well, mainly device drivers and DirectX itself. DirectX uses objects and drivers that execute at kernel level, and it also interacts with devices through device drivers for the video and audio hardware. Any problem with the DirectX file or configuration, or a problem with the device drivers can cause the DXGKRNL fatal error.

Solving the DXGKRNL Fatal Error

There are two main solutions to fixing the error. The first is updating or reinstalling DirectX, and the second is updating or reinstalling the device drivers for video and audio hardware.

If you can still boot into Windows, you can execute the steps to solve the error. If Windows won’t start anymore, try using the Safe Mode boot. In that startup mode, Windows only uses a standard video driver with minimal features. For Windows 7 and Windows 8, the steps are different. Press F8 during boot to get into the Advanced Boot Options screen and select Safe Mode.

DirectX in Windows

With most software, you would simply say: uninstall it, reboot, and then reinstall it. That was possible for older versions of DirectX as well, but not in the latest Windows versions. DirectX is an integral part of Windows in the latest Windows versions.

For Windows 7 there was still a separate update that can be downloaded to install DirectX 11.1.

For later Windows versions, you simply need to make sure you run Windows Update.

In Windows 10, open Settings, select Update & Security and click Check for updates.

In Windows 11, open Settings, select Windows Update and click Check for updates.

DirectX Diagnosis

To check the version, and any potential problems, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. This tool is part of the DirectX installation and can be started by typing “dxdiag” in the Start menu search box.

After starting the dxdiag app, you will see the details of the DirectX installation.

DirectX dxdiag

With the System tab active, the DirectX Version can be seen at the bottom of the list with System Information.

Use the Next Page button to jump through the pages, or simply use the tab selectors to switch directly to the Display, Sound, or Input options.

In the Display tab, you can see which features are enabled. The Notes section will show any problems with the DirectX functionality. The Notes section is present for all tabs.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool

If a DirectX feature is Disabled, it might either disabled in the settings, not be supported by your PC hardware, or not supported due to driver limitations.

Update the Display Driver

If the DXGKRNL fatal error is caused by a device driver, the first step is to update the driver to the latest version. Updated drivers can have bug fixes, performance improvements, and feature enhancements.

To update the display driver in Windows, use the Device Manager.

  1. Open the Device Manager using the search box in the Start menu, or press the Windows key + R and type devmgmt.msc in the Run box followed by the Enter key.
    devmgmt.msc in Windows 11
  2. In the Device Manager, expand the Display adapters category by double-clicking it.
  3. Next, right-click the listed graphics adapter, and in the popup menu, select Update driver.
    Update display driver
  4. Use the option Search automatically for drivers to let Windows check for graphics driver updates automatically. If you have downloaded the latest graphics driver for your computer manually, use the option Browse my computer for drivers and select the location.
  5. Once the updated driver is installed, click Close and close the Device Manager.

Next, restart the computer and see if the problem is resolved.

Uninstall the Display Device to fix the DXGKRNL error

There may be no driver update available for the graphics card. Or an update is available, but the update did not fix the problem. In that case, the driver configuration may be a problem. Uninstalling the display device can then help solve the error.

Uninstalling a device and then restarting the PC will force Windows to reinstall the graphics device. If the driver was also deleted during uninstall, the driver will also be downloaded and installed again.

  1. Use the instructions from the previous section to open the Device Manager and expand the Display adapters
  2. Right-click the graphics adapter, and in the popup menu select Uninstall device.
  3. In the Uninstall Device window that shows next, make sure to select the option Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
    Note: for previous Windows versions this option is worded a little differently.
    Uninstall device and remove driver
  4. Click the Uninstall button to continue.

Once the device is uninstalled, restart Windows. The display device will be reinstalled during the restart with the latest driver.
Note: in case the display device is not automatically reinstalled, use the Scan for hardware changes in the Action menu of the Device Manager to force the device installation.

System Restore

None of the solutions so far working? If your Windows configuration is using System Protection, you can try the System Restore option to revert to an earlier, working configuration.

With every change, Windows can create a restore point that will help bring back a previous configuration. Here are the instructions for Windows 11.

  1. Open Settings from the Start
  2. Select System, and then About.
  3. Scroll down to the Related links section, and then click Advanced system settings. This will bring up the System Properties.
  4. In the System Properties window, select the System Protection
  5. Next, click the System Restore button.
    Windows 11 System Restore
  6. Click Next to show the list of restore points on your computer.
  7. Select which restore point to use, and then click Next.
  8. Click the Finish button to confirm the restore operation.
  9. Click Yes in the confirmation window.

Windows will now create a restore point. Your PC may restart during the process. Just be patient and let the system restore complete.

After the final restart, see if the problem is solved.

Although this specific error is related to the display aspect, DirectX also uses sound and other media and input drivers. It is recommended to keep all device drivers up to date using DriverFinder.

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