ErrorFindly
0x000000CEBSODCritical

0x000000CE — Driver Unloaded Without Cancelling Pending Operations | Blue Screen Fix Guide

DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS

Windows 10Windows 11

What Does 0x000000CE Mean?

A driver was unloaded while it still had pending operations (timers, DPCs, or work items).

Real-World Causes

  1. 1Driver not canceling pending operations on unload
  2. 2Race condition during driver unload
  3. 3Driver cleanup code missing

Symptoms

  • ⚠Blue screen with stop code DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS
  • ⚠System reboots unexpectedly
  • ⚠Possible data loss from unsaved work

DIY Fix

Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home

  1. 1Restart your computer
  2. 2Update or roll back recently installed drivers
  3. 3Run System File Checker (sfc /scannow)
  4. 4Check Windows Update for driver updates

Advanced Fix

For experienced users and IT professionals

  1. 1Analyze crash dump with WinDbg
  2. 2Run Driver Verifier to isolate faulty driver
  3. 3Use Safe Mode to uninstall problematic drivers
  4. 4Check Event Viewer for related errors

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS?
A driver was unloaded while it still had pending operations (timers, DPCs, or work items).
Can I fix Driver Unloaded Without Cancelling Pending Operations myself?
In many cases yes. Start with basic troubleshooting like restarting, updating drivers, and running System File Checker. If the issue persists, advanced analysis of crash dumps may be needed.

Related Error Codes

0x000000CAPnp Detected Fatal Error0x00000044Multiple IRP Complete Requests

About the Author

Windows Troubleshooting Team

Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.