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Windows 10 crashes with bugcheck 0x00000133, DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION

Hi everyone,

I started to see this error since Dec 23th 2017, after making these two changes on my laptop with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update:

  • Install and configure Microsoft Azure Backup agent
  • Install the latest NVIDIA GeForce driver

If this can help finding out the root of this issue, I have also Windows's File History running. It's backing up my data to an external hard drive (I have 2 Toshiba external hard drivers, 1 for data, 1 for virtual machines).

I don't know how but that day, Dec 23th, I got several blue screens, and the Reliability Monitor shows a lot of Windows Defender updates installed. I already rolled back the graphics driver to its previous version, but with no avail. Since then I saw a lot of blue screens, and today, Dec 30th, I got one after turn my laptop on. After finish my breakfast, I saw the computer restarting. After checking the Reliability Monitor, I see that a Windows Defender update was installed after the computer rebooted. Maybe Windows crashed when looking for new updates? I don't know.

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I can't uninstall Azure Backup agent as it still backing up my data (about 200 GB and Azure reports 36 GB already sent to the vault), and, because of the blue screens and my slow Internet connection, I can't uninstall it.

So I don't know what to do, I was thinking of installing Windows 10 again, however I don't like that idea, it's time consuming and it's almost New Year. I've been checking the Internet with no luck so far. Could you please advise how to resolve this issue? Is it a known problem with the Azure Backup, Windows Defender and graphics drivers?

If you want me to upload the latest memory dump file, I can do that and upload it to my OneDrive. Just let me know if that can help you diagnose this problem.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Jorge Morales Vidal

Hi Jorge. I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Here is the most common fix for DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/dpc_watchdog_viol...

In addition you can go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

But remember that Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Refresh that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Hi Greg,

Thanks for your reply. I think I found your first link before, about the iastor.sys driver issue, however mine is iaStorA.sys. So I'm not sure if that workaround applies to my computer. Could you confirm if I still have to apply this change?

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However I'm going to apply the suggestion listed in your second link, hopefully those can help on this problem.

My last resort would be to make a clean install of Windows 10. Yes, my current installation was from the Creators Update to the Fall Creators Update, in September 2017 I guess. I didn't see any issues since then, until I installed the Azure Backup agent. I'm planning to make the clean install next weekend maybe, hopefully all blue screens are gone by then.

I'll update this when I have results from previous steps. Thanks Greg.

Regards,

Jorge

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Jorge, you can try it. Just set System Restore point first.

First I'd also update chipsest and BIOS
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Hello,
We need log files(called dump files) that what lead to crash.
Please share them with us for a better analysis of the problem. Instructions can be found here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...
Mark Yes below the post if it helped or resolved your problem

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not represent the views or opinions of Microsoft.

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Last updated April 18, 2025 Views 8,617 Applies to: