DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE is Windows bug check 0x0000009F. It means a driver entered an inconsistent or invalid power state, but the stop code alone does not identify one faulty driver or device. Start by noting whether the crash occurs during shutdown, restart, sleep, hibernation, or wake, then investigate recent driver, service, hardware, and firmware changes.
What the Driver Power State Failure stop code means
Windows can display this blue-screen error when a driver does not handle a power transition correctly. Microsoft documents several different violations under bug check 0x9F, including a device object blocked by an outstanding power request, a device that blocked an I/O request packet (IRP) for too long, and a power transition that timed out while waiting for the Plug-and-Play subsystem. Other parameter values describe failures during directed power transitions. The same stop-code name can therefore point to different underlying situations.
Microsoft’s technical reference says a dump may identify the responsible driver: “If a driver that is responsible for the error can be identified, its name is printed on the blue screen and stored in memory at the location (PUNICODE_STRING) KiBugCheckDriver.” See Microsoft’s Bug Check 0x9F reference. The documentation is aimed largely at driver developers and people doing kernel debugging, so the parameter details are usually more useful to a technician or dump analyst than as a starting point for routine troubleshooting.
How to troubleshoot the crash
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Note what the PC was doing
Record whether the blue screen occurs while shutting down, restarting, entering sleep or hibernation, or waking up. A repeatable connection to one of these transitions helps focus the investigation, but does not prove which driver or component caused the failure.
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Review recent driver and service changes
Think about what changed shortly before the first crash. If you recently installed a driver or system service, consider removing it or installing a suitable update. Avoid updating every driver indiscriminately; focus on changes that could plausibly relate to the affected device or power transition.
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Inspect Device Manager
Open Device Manager and look for devices marked with an exclamation point. For a device that appears relevant, open its driver properties and review the Events information for clues about recent changes or problems. If a device seems implicated, check whether its computer or component manufacturer offers a suitable driver for your exact model.
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Check the System log in Event Viewer
Review the Windows System log for errors recorded around the time of the blue screen. Entries in the same time window can help narrow the investigation, but they are clues rather than a guaranteed diagnosis of the faulty driver.
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Temporarily test whether power saving is involved
Microsoft suggests temporarily disabling power saving in Control Panel power options to test whether the crash is tied to hibernation, suspension, or resumption. Treat this as a diagnostic test, not a permanent fix: after checking whether the behavior changes, restore your preferred power settings.
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Revisit recently added hardware
If the crashes began after adding hardware, remove that device temporarily or check with its manufacturer for applicable patches. Whether removal, replacement, or a software update is appropriate depends on the specific device; the stop code alone is not a reason to buy replacement hardware.
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Check model-specific diagnostics and firmware guidance
Microsoft recommends checking whether the computer manufacturer provides hardware diagnostics and whether updated system ACPI/BIOS or other firmware is available. Use the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact computer model. Do not apply a generic BIOS update procedure: firmware steps and risks vary by device.
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Escalate to dump analysis if the cause remains unclear
A memory dump may help an experienced technician identify a driver or blocked power request. Microsoft’s debugger and parameter guidance is intended for driver developers and kernel-debugging users, rather than being a routine set of commands for everyone experiencing a blue screen.
When to get help
If the crash continues after you investigate recent changes and test the relevant power transition, contact the computer manufacturer or a qualified technician with the computer’s exact model, the circumstances of the crash, and any relevant Device Manager, Event Viewer, or dump-file clues. Manufacturer support is the appropriate place to confirm model-specific diagnostics, drivers, and firmware instructions.
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