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DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL : 5 Ways to Fix It

How to Fix the DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL Error in Windows 11/10

DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL is a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) error usually caused by faulty hardware or software. Fortunately, you can easily fix this error by following the instructions in this article.

DRIVER PAGE FAULT IN FREED SPECIAL POOL

The DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL bug check has a value of 0x000000D5 (bug check 0xD5), which indicates that a driver has referenced memory that was earlier freed.

Depending on the Windows version, this error may be accompanied by other codes, including 0xb10BBD9E, 0x0D82DA24, 0Xfecd479D, and 0x779827CB.

DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL error occurs because the Driver Verifier Special Pool option has caught the driver accessing memory which was earlier freed.

This error occurs when a driver attempts to reference a memory that was freed earlier. But, since the memory was freed, the referencing isn't possible. The Driver Verifier detects this and forces the system to shut down to prevent damage to it, resulting in the BSoD screen.

Some of the more notable causes for this error include faulty hardware components, conflicting software (particularly anti-virus applications), faulty or outdated drivers, outdated SSD firmware, and corrupted system files.

Before trying any of our fixes:

  • Try uninstalling recently installed software and disconnecting newly connected devices to your computer.
  • Try disabling hardware acceleration in software that has it (such as Google Chrome, Discord, and so on)
  • Updating your SDD drive's firmware.

Video Guide on How to Fix DRIVER_PAGE_FAULT_IN_FREED_SPECIAL_POOL Error

Table of Contents:

Solution 1. Update Device Drivers

This guide demonstrates how you can update the device drivers using Device Manager. Try to update as many device drivers as you can to make sure everything is as up-to-date as it can be. However, you don't have to use Device Manager necessarily. You can go to your devices' manufacturers' websites and download the latest drivers that way.

Right-click Start and select Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start menu button and select Device Manager.

Select Update driver

2. Expand the devices list.

3. Right-click the device and click Update driver.

Select Search automatically for drivers

4. Select Search automatically for drivers.

5. Alternatively, you can select Browse my computer for drivers and install the correct driver downloaded from the device manufacturer's website.

Select Uninstall device

6. If updating the driver doesn't fix the issue, right-click the device and click Uninstall device.

Click Uninstall to confirm the action

7. Click Uninstall to confirm the action.

8. Restart your PC, and Windows will automatically download and install the latest available drivers for the uninstalled device.

Update the drivers of as many devices as possible using this method.

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Solution 2. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in msdt.exe -id devicediagnostic in Run and click OK

2. In the Run dialog box, type in msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and click OK.

Click Next to start troubleshooting

3. Then, click Next in the Hardware and Device troubleshooter window.

Apply suggested fixes

4. Apply the suggested fixes and close the troubleshooter.

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Solution 3. Run the Deployment Image & Servicing Management (DISM) Scan

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt

2. In the Run dialog box, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

Run DISM ScanHealth and RestoreHealth commands

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press the Enter key.

4. Then, type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.

5. Restart your PC.

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Solution 4. Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt

2. In the Run dialog box, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

Run the SFC /ScanNow command

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in SFC /ScanNow and press Enter.

4. Restart your PC.

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Solution 5. Reset the Driver Verifier

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt

2. In the Run dialog box, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

Run the verifier.exe /reset command

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in verifier.exe /reset and press Enter.

4. Restart your PC.

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About the author:

Rimvydas Iliavicius

Rimvydas is a researcher with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He attended Kaunas University of Technology and graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and Localization of Technical texts. His interests in computers and technology led him to become a versatile author in the IT industry. At PCrisk, he's responsible for writing in-depth how-to articles for Microsoft Windows. Contact Rimvydas Iliavicius.

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