How to Resolve Driver Power State Failure on HP Laptops

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How to Resolve Driver Power State Failure on HP Laptops can be frustrating. This blue screen error (BSOD) usually occurs due to driver-related issues, power management settings, or faulty hardware. The good news is that it can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we will discuss the causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it.

What is Driver Power State Failure?

Driver Power State Failure is a Windows error that usually happens when a driver goes into an inconsistent power state. This means that a driver fails to respond when transitioning between power states, leading to a system crash and a blue screen of death (BSOD).

Common Causes of Driver Power State Failure

  • Outdated or incompatible device drivers
  • Power management issues
  • Corrupt system files
  • Malware infections
  • Faulty hardware components

How to Fix Driver Power State Failure on HP Laptops

1. Restart Your HP Laptop

Before attempting any complex solutions, restart your laptop. A simple reboot can resolve minor driver issues and system glitches.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

If the error prevents you from accessing Windows normally, try booting into Safe Mode.

Steps to Boot into Safe Mode:

  1. Turn off your laptop and turn it back on.
  2. Press F8 repeatedly before the Windows logo appears.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
  4. If you can boot into Safe Mode, proceed with updating or rolling back drivers.

3. Update or Roll Back Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers are one of the leading causes of this error. Updating or rolling back drivers can help resolve the issue.

How to Update Drivers:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark (especially Network Adapters and Display Adapters).
  3. Right-click on the device and select Update Driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
  5. Restart your laptop and check if the issue is resolved.

How to Roll Back Drivers:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click on the problematic driver and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available).
  4. Restart your laptop.

4. Disable Power Saving Mode for Drivers

Windows power-saving features can interfere with drivers and cause the Driver Power State Failure error.

Steps to Disable Power Saving Mode:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network Adapters or Display Adapters.
  3. Right-click the adapter and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  6. Click OK and restart your laptop.

5. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooting tools that can detect and fix driver-related issues.

Steps to Run Troubleshooter:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  3. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  4. Select Power and click Run the troubleshooter.
  5. Follow the instructions and apply any recommended fixes.

6. Scan for Malware and Viruses

Malware infections can cause driver malfunctions. Running a full system scan can help identify and remove threats.

Steps to Scan for Malware:

  1. Open Windows Security by pressing Windows + S and typing “Windows Security”.
  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  3. Select Full scan and click Scan now.
  4. Remove any detected threats and restart your laptop.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Outdated Windows versions can cause driver issues. Updating Windows ensures that all drivers are up to date.

Steps to Check for Updates:

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
  2. Go to Update & Security.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Install any available updates and restart your laptop.

8. Perform a System File Check (SFC and DISM Scan)

Corrupt system files can cause driver issues. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM scan can fix these problems.

Steps to Run SFC and DISM Scan:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
    sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete and restart your laptop.
  4. If the issue persists, run the following DISM commands: 
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  5. Restart your laptop and check if the error is resolved.

9. Adjust Power Plan Settings

Sometimes, aggressive power-saving settings can cause this issue. Changing your power plan to High Performance can help.

Steps to Adjust Power Plan:

  1. Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Select High performance.
  3. Click Change plan settings.
  4. Click Change advanced power settings.
  5. Expand Wireless Adapter Settings and set Maximum Performance.
  6. Expand PCI Express > Link State Power Management and set it to Off.
  7. Click Apply and OK.
  8. Restart your laptop.

10. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps identify if third-party applications are causing the error.

Steps to Perform a Clean Boot:

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
  3. Click Disable all.
  4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  5. Disable all startup programs.
  6. Restart your laptop and check if the issue is resolved.

11. Restore Windows to a Previous State

If none of the above solutions work, restoring your system to an earlier point can help.

Steps to Restore Windows:

  1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.
  2. Select Choose a different restore point and click Next.
  3. Select a restore point before the issue started.
  4. Click Next, then Finish.
  5. Wait for the process to complete and restart your laptop.

Conclusion

Driver Power State Failure on HP laptops is a frustrating but solvable issue. By following the solutions outlined above, you can diagnose and fix the problem effectively. Start with simple steps like updating drivers, adjusting power settings, and running built-in troubleshooters. If the issue persists, consider restoring Windows or performing a clean installation.

If you still face difficulties, consider contacting HP support or a professional technician for further assistance. Hopefully, this guide has helped you resolve the error and get your laptop running smoothly again.

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