Start up freezing with Stop code: DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG

[bburt85]

I am having the same issues as described in this other post here and I have created a boot USB stick using the HP Cloud tool for the product based on the product ID number. When I attempt to boot to the USB I get the same Blue Screen with “Stop code: DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG”. I have seen others reference going into to command prompt and running Command Prompt to run sfc /scannow and chkdsk C: /f but I cannot even get to anything other than System Information, System Diagnostics and BIOS Step. I ran the System Diagnostics extensive all night and that said everything passes. I also ran some other tests and they passed as well. Not sure what else to do, and I was thinking that the USB would let me reinstall Windows and that just gets the Blue Screen error like I mentioned before. 

[Max3Aj]

@bburt85, Hello and welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your question. I'm here to help you get things back on track.

The DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG stop code typically indicates a driver or device initialization failure during boot. Since you've already:

• Created a bootable USB using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool,
• Run extensive system diagnostics (all passed),
• Attempted booting from USB but still hit the same BSOD,

Let’s walk through a few targeted steps to help you recover your system.

Confirm BIOS Settings

Sometimes Secure Boot or Legacy Boot settings can interfere with recovery media.

1. Power on the laptop and press Esc repeatedly to enter the Startup Menu.
2. Press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
3. Navigate to System Configuration > Boot Options:
   • Secure Boot: Disable it temporarily.
   • Legacy Support: Enable it (if available).
4. Save changes and exit BIOS.

Try booting from the USB again.

Use HP Cloud Recovery Tool on Another PC

If the USB recovery stick was created on the same faulty PC, it may have inherited corrupted files. Try recreating it:

1. On a working Windows PC, download the HP Cloud Recovery Tool: HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Support
2. Use your product ID: to create a fresh recovery USB.
3. Insert the new USB into the faulty laptop and boot using F9 to select the USB device.

Try Windows Recovery via Microsoft Media Creation Tool

If HP recovery fails, try a clean Windows install:

1. On another PC, download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.
2. Create a bootable USB.
3. Boot the HP laptop using F9 and select the USB.
4. If setup loads, choose Custom Install and delete all partitions (only if you’ve backed up data or don’t need it).
5. Proceed with installation.

If USB Boot Still Fails – Use Command Prompt via WinRE

If you can access Advanced Options from the recovery environment:

1. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
2. Run: 
   sfc /scannow 
   chkdsk C: /f /r 
   These commands check and repair system files and disk errors.

If you can’t reach Command Prompt, you may need to boot from a Windows ISO with recovery tools.

Consider BIOS Update (if accessible)

If you can access BIOS and the system is stable enough:

• Check BIOS version under System Information.
• Visit Official HP® Support and enter your product ID.
• Download the latest BIOS update to a USB and follow HP’s instructions to update via BIOS.

I hope the information shared has been useful and resolves your concern.

Wishing you a smooth and hassle-free experience ahead!

If this solution helped, please click “Accepted Solution” so others can benefit too. Don’t forget to hit the “Yes” button if you found this helpful!

Warm regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support

[bburt85]

Ok, thank you for the response.

I did create the USB using someone else computer and disabled the secure boot, and it resulted with the same blue screen driver_pnp_watchdog error.

I have no access to the Advanced Options because when I attempt to boot anything other than BIOS I end up with the driver_pnp_watchdog error. 

I am working through these and this is the only computer I have currently, so working on coordinating to with someone to create the Windows Media Creation tool and possibly update the BIOS because they are version F.33 and there appears to be an update hopeful I’ll be able to run that update or reinstall Windows. 

Thank you Max3Aj for the help.

[bburt85]

Hello, Max3Aj.

I got a Windows Microsoft Media Creation Tool created and the laptop actually loaded it but it doesn’t see the hard drive. When I had done the extensive diagnostic tests the hard drive passed every time.

After booting to the USB I…

1. Selected language settings

2. Selected keyboard settings

3. Selected setup options Install Windows 11 + I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings

4. Applicable notices and license terms Accept

5. Select location to install Windows 11…only shows Disk 0 Partition 1: ESD-USB 29.8 GB

I then tried selecting to Repair and opened Command Prompt

1. Ran sfc /scannow (found corrupt files and successfully repaired them)

2. Ran chkdsk C:/f/r

• This check said it was checking volume ESD-USB created 10/5/2025, volume serial number AACB-0657 which I am guessing is the USB as well.

3. Shutdown the laptop and tried again but still no hard drive

I was going to attempt to update the BIOS but during the process I ended up with Bitlocker popping up. 

[Max3Aj]

@bburt85, Thank you for your response,  

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action. 

  

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link. 

  

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

  

Max3Aj

HP Support