ErrorFindly
0x000000D4BSODCritical

0x000000D4 — System Scan at Raised IRQL Caught Improper Driver Unload | Blue Screen Fix Guide

SYSTEM_SCAN_AT_RAISED_IRQL_CAUGHT_IMPROPER_DRIVER_UNLOAD

Windows XPWindows VistaWindows 7Windows 8Windows 10Windows 11

What Does 0x000000D4 Mean?

A driver was improperly unloaded while the system was scanning at a raised IRQL.

Real-World Causes

  1. 1Driver unloading without proper cleanup
  2. 2Race condition during driver unload
  3. 3Pending DPCs referencing unloaded driver code

Symptoms

  • ⚠Blue screen with stop code SYSTEM_SCAN_AT_RAISED_IRQL_CAUGHT_IMPROPER_DRIVER_UNLOAD
  • ⚠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 SYSTEM_SCAN_AT_RAISED_IRQL_CAUGHT_IMPROPER_DRIVER_UNLOAD?
A driver was improperly unloaded while the system was scanning at a raised IRQL.
Can I fix System Scan at Raised IRQL Caught Improper Driver Unload 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

0x000000CEDriver Unloaded Without Cancelling Pending Operations0x000000D1Driver IRQL not Less or Equal

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.