Troubleshooting Error 0x0000009F on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

The 0x0000009F error, commonly known as DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE, often appears in Windows 11 when a device driver transitions to an invalid or inconsistent power state. This issue typically manifests as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), leading to unexpected crashes and system reboots. Users frequently encounter this error during sleep or hibernation mode transitions. Thankfully, several effective approaches exist to remedy this frustrating problem.

Method 1: Roll Back or Update Device Drivers

As driver-related issues are the primary cause of the DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE error, updating or reverting drivers can often mitigate the problem.

Step 1: Press Win + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
Step 2: Identify the device suspected of causing the issue. Common culprits include USB Wi-Fi adapters or external storage devices. Right-click the device and choose Update Driver.
Step 3: Select Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions to perform the update.
Step 4: If the problem initiated after a recent update, rolling back the driver might help. Right-click the device, then select Properties.
Step 5: Navigate to the Driver tab, then click Roll Back Driver. Restart your computer after this action to verify if the error persists.

Method 2: Review and Adjust Power Management Settings

Improper power management settings can lead devices to adopt incompatible power states, thus triggering the 0x0000009F error.

Step 1: Open Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting it from the menu.
Step 2: Expand the category containing the problematic device, such as Network adapters. Right-click on the device, then select Properties.
Step 3: Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the box labeled “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Click OK to apply the change.
Step 4: Additionally, disable Fast Startup as it can sometimes provoke power state conflicts. Access the Control Panel and navigate to Hardware and Sound.
Step 5: Go into Power Options and then click Choose what the power buttons do.
Step 6: Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable and uncheck “Turn on fast startup.” Save your modifications and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 3: Disconnect and Test External USB Devices

External USB devices, like storage drives and Wi-Fi adapters, frequently lead to the DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE error. Disconnecting these devices can help identify the guilty hardware.

Step 1: Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices, leaving only essential peripherals such as keyboards and mice connected.
Step 2: Restart your Windows 11 computer and monitor whether the error continues. If it does not, reconnect devices one at a time to pinpoint the faulty hardware.

Upon identifying the problematic device, proceed to update or replace the driver or the device itself to permanently rectify the issue.

Method 4: Use DISM and SFC for System Repairs

Corrupted system files or compromised Windows components can also lead to the 0x0000009F error. Utilizing Windows repair tools can resolve these issues.

Step 1: Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Execute the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool by entering the following command and pressing Enter:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Wait for the operation to finish (this process can take several minutes).

Step 3: After DISM completes, run the System File Checker (SFC) tool by typing the following command and pressing Enter:

SFC /scannow

Once this process concludes, restart your computer. These commands will repair corrupted files and enhance Windows stability.

Method 5: Boot into Safe Mode to Remove Problematic Drivers

If previous methods have not resolved the error, booting into Safe Mode allows for secure isolation and uninstallation of troublesome drivers.

Step 1: Access Safe Mode by following the instructions found on Microsoft’s official support page.
Step 2: In Safe Mode, open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager), locate the recently updated or installed device drivers, right-click them, and select Uninstall device.

After completing the uninstalls, restart your computer normally. Windows will automatically reinstall default drivers, potentially resolving the BSOD issue.

By systematically applying these methods, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE (error 0x0000009F) in your Windows 11 system. Should the issue continue, don’t hesitate to seek expert technical support for a thorough examination of your hardware components or a deeper dive into system diagnostics.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What causes the 0x0000009F error in Windows 11?

The 0x0000009F error, or DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE, is primarily caused by issues with device drivers entering invalid power states, often during sleep or hibernation transitions.

2. How can I determine which device driver is causing the 0x0000009F error?

You can troubleshoot by disconnecting external USB devices, or by updating and rolling back drivers in the Device Manager to identify the specific hardware causing the error.

3. Is it safe to roll back a driver in Windows 11?

Yes, rolling back a driver is a safe procedure in Windows 11. It reverts the driver to its previous version, which may resolve compatibility issues that arose after a recent driver update.

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