BSOD IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL on Windows 10 EDU 16299

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
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For the past couple of weeks, I have been consistently getting blue screens with the message “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” on my desktop. They usually tend to occur during the restart and shutdown process. In addition, I have been experiencing lag at random intervals while using my PC, most notably severe when playing Rocket League (This is a telltale sign that I can expect a bluescreen on the next restart). I’ve tried analyzing the memory minidumps and found that the crash occurs in ntoskrnl.exe, which, from what I’ve read, is unlikely to be the cause (especially since I’ve run Window’s system file checker). However, the moment I uninstall Avast, all the graphical lag disappears, and I don’t get any bluescreens.

It’s possible that Avast is not the sole culprit; there might be some interaction between Avast’s and Nvidia’s drivers on my PC. Though, given that there have been previous “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” bluescreens attributed to Avast (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=199175.0), I suspect it is Avast. Could any devs to investigate this matter? I would like to continue using Avast, but for now I may have to rely on alternatives.

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  • Which Avast…? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)
  • Which version…?
  • OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
  • Other security related software installed…?
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?
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  • Which Avast…? Free
  • Which version…? I don’t have it installed now, but the setup metadata says 12.3.3154.0.
  • OS…? Windows 10 Education 10.0.16299
  • Other security related software installed…? Windows Defender is enabled, and Malwarebytes (free/passive)
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…? None

Here are my system specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1070
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 512GB
HDD: WD Black 2TB (2013)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2400 C14 2x8GB
MBD: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING/AURA

I also have the minidumps in case anyone would like to take a look.

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  1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
  2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.

PS: Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/200324-exclusions-for-avast-users/

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Whoops, I stated the wrong version of Avast in my last post; the active version was actually very recent (reinstalled on March 12th 2018).

In any case, I have reinstalled it again and added the Malwarebytes exclusions (unlikely to be the cause because none of Malwarebytes’ drivers were in the memory dumps). I will report back if I experience any BSOD

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OK, report back.

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Bluescreen IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0x0000000a) occurred at address ntoskrnl.exe+163960 again. To reproduce the issue, I played Rocket League and noticed increasing amounts of graphical lag, at which point I restarted the system, causing a hang and the BSOD.

Should I try to disable the fileshield and observe? It was mentioned as a workaround in the thread I linked in my original post.

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Follow instructions: https://support.avast.com/article/33/

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Okay, I submitted the support file (I couldn’t find the workflow to get a support ticket).

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Post the file-ID from the support tool and I/we will forward it.

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Thanks, I had submitted the file twice since there were more generated minidumps. The File IDs are I3DHK and 1EJ6U.

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OK, I forwarded it.