My Dell laptop just updated the Windows 11 and new bios and it keeps crashing. What can I do?

Question

My Dell laptop just updated the Windows 11 and new bios and it keeps crashing. What can I do?

RV 0

Stop code: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0XA)

What failed: ntoskrnl.exe

It's a different code for every crash

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Ivan B 101.2K Independent Advisor

Hii,

What is the laptop model?

Access the c:\windows\minidump folder, copy the files to your desktop, then upload them to OneDrive or Google Drive and post the link here for analysis.

Thanks

RV 0 Reputation points

2026-03-11T13:36:01.9233333+00:00

Dell Inspiron 13
Here's the link:
https://1drv.ms/f/c/40cd927f5e1aa32f/IgDI0fkfLHtPS70bD0P0TCHYAcbfENHoCCFw7f4z48NY1VA?e=0QYVnY
Ivan B 101.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-11T13:44:21.5966667+00:00

Hi,

In this case, the link is empty; there's no mindump file. If possible, please try to verify it.

Thanks
RV 0 Reputation points

2026-03-11T13:48:59.1466667+00:00

Hopefully it synced now
Ivan B 101.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-11T17:19:26.72+00:00

Hi,

According to the minidumps, the error appears to be related to the volume shadow system, which is used as a backup base for snapshots or copying a hard disk volume.

Other minidumps indicate a CI error, possibly due to an incompatible driver. If you have core isolation enabled, this could be a conflict.

To check, do the following: open Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation > Disable Memory Integrity

Restart your PC

Open the command prompt (admin) and run the commands: sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, wait for the process to finish and restart the computer.

Then perform a clean boot and uninstall any applications you don't use.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-execute-a-simple-boot-start-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Do you have any active backup system?

Thanks
RV 0 Reputation points

2026-03-11T23:38:12.61+00:00

I do not have the Memory Integrity turned on. Also there isn't any backup system active.
When I run the sfc /scannow, I get this message:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

For online repairs, details are included in the CBS log file located at

windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For offline

repairs, details are included in the log file provided by the /OFFLOGFILE flag.
Ivan B 101.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-12T03:29:29.48+00:00

Hi,

In this case, the Windows 11 update probably wasn't 100% successful and there are likely driver issues, which is why the CI (Crew Information) error occurred during the update.

I would recommend a clean install using the USB method, but in that case, you would have to back up your files and reinstall.

Or

We could try refreshing using the ISO method, but since the errors are varied, the best option would be a reinstallation.

You choose; I can instruct you.

Thanks
RV 0 Reputation points

2026-03-12T14:49:10.4366667+00:00

I'm good with either option. Not worried about losing data. Thank you so much
Ivan B 101.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-12T14:59:15.2333333+00:00

Hi,

In this case, would the best option be a reinstallation via USB?

Initially, do you have at least an 8GB USB flash drive?

If so, you need to create an installation drive and connect the USB flash drive to your computer.

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2156295

Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.

If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.

On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

The application will automatically identify the correct version of Windows 11 for your system, then Next.

Select which media you want to use (USB).

Select the drive letter of the mounted USB flash drive.

Wait for the process to finish and let me know when it's done.

Thanks
RV 0 Reputation points

2026-03-12T20:51:57.0933333+00:00

I have the USB ready to go with the Downloaded media
Ivan B 101.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-12T22:36:50.92+00:00

Hi,

Have you already created the USB installation drive using the media creation tool?

Thanks
RV 0 Reputation points

2026-03-12T22:53:25.95+00:00

Yes, from the link provided

Answer 2

The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xA) stop code after a Windows 11 and BIOS update typically points to either a faulty/incorrect device driver or a memory problem.

Try the following, in order:

Update or roll back drivers after the update
- Open Settings → Windows Update.
- On Windows 11, go to Advanced options → Optional updates and install all available driver and firmware updates, then Check for updates again and install everything offered.
- Restart the device even if not prompted.
- If crashes started immediately after a specific driver update (for example, graphics or network), roll that driver back from Device Manager → device Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
- If Windows Update does not provide newer drivers or the issue persists, download the latest Windows 11 drivers (especially chipset, storage, graphics, and network) from Dell’s support site for the exact laptop model and install them manually.
Check for other stop codes and faulty drivers
- Because different codes appear on each crash, treat this as a general stop-code/bug-check issue: a hardware device, its driver, or related software can be at fault.
- In Device Manager, look for any device with an exclamation mark (!) and update or uninstall/reinstall its driver.
- In Event Viewer, check Windows Logs → System for critical errors at the time of the crashes and note any driver names mentioned.
Test system memory (RAM)
- Save work and close all apps.
- Press Windows key + R, type mdsched, and select OK.
- Choose Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
- Let the Windows Memory Diagnostic complete. If the Standard test finds nothing and crashes continue, repeat using the Extended test (press F1 on the diagnostic screen, change Test Mix to Extended, then F10).
- After Windows restarts, check the results in Event Viewer under Application and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → MemoryDiagnostics-Results → Debug. Event ID 2001 means no memory errors were detected.
General bug-check troubleshooting after BIOS/OS changes
- If any new device drivers or system services were installed around the time of the BIOS/Windows update, remove or update them.
- If any new hardware was added, temporarily remove it or revert to the previous configuration.
- Run any hardware diagnostics provided by Dell (from BIOS or Dell’s support tools) to rule out hardware faults.
- Run a full antivirus scan to rule out malware or corruption.

If crashes continue after updating/rolling back drivers and confirming that memory tests pass, collect the stop codes and any driver names shown on the blue screen and in Event Viewer, then contact Dell support with that information, as the combination of a new BIOS and repeated, varying bug checks can indicate a firmware or hardware-level issue.

References:

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My Dell laptop just updated the Windows 11 and new bios and it keeps crashing. What can I do?

2 answers

Your answer