DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG Stop code error

[bnsk_sandy]

After some Windows update, my laptop is stuck with the DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG Stop code error.

No repair possible

No new installation possible. During new installation the SSD is not detected . 

After some research in different websites, i found the following file might fix the issue. 

SOFTPAQ FILE NAME: sp108979.exe

Can you please share the URL to download it ? 

Any other help to fix this issue would be highly appreciated. Thank you. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @bnsk_sandy,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please share the model name of your device?

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

Kuroi_Kenshi

[bnsk_sandy]

HP Pavilion Laptop-PC 15-eg0000 (9WF74AV)

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @bnsk_sandy,

Thank you for the response.

I understand your HP Spectre is stuck in a boot loop with the “DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG” error and can’t access Windows Recovery or the SSD. Let’s go through a few steps to troubleshoot this.

Power Drain the Laptop
Turn the laptop off completely.
Unplug the AC adapter and, if possible, remove external devices (USB drives, external HDDs, etc.).
Press and hold the power button for 15–20 seconds to discharge residual power.

Run Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI)
Power on the laptop and immediately press Esc repeatedly, then press F2 for Diagnostics.
Run the System Tests > Fast Test and then Extensive Test to rule out hardware issues.
If all tests pass, the problem is likely software or configuration-related.

Load Default BIOS Settings
Turn on the laptop and press Esc > F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
Press F9 to load defaults, then F10 to save and exit.
This ensures no custom BIOS settings (like Secure Boot or Boot Mode changes) are causing the loop.

Check Intel RST / Optane Configuration
In BIOS, go to UEFI Configuration > Intel® Rapid Storage Technology > Optane Volume.
You will see the Optane volume with two member disks and a Disable option.

Selecting Disable breaks the Optane cache but does not delete data on the main SSD.

After disabling, the storage controller usually switches to AHCI mode, which WinRE supports.

Boot with Microsoft Installation Media (USB)
Insert the bootable USB created using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.
Boot from the USB by pressing Esc > F9 and selecting the USB drive.
In the setup screen, go to Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
Run diskpart and use list disk to check if the SSD is now detected.

Load Intel RST Drivers if SSD Not Detected
If the SSD still isn’t listed, download the latest Intel RST driver for your model from the HP support page.
Extract it to a separate USB.
From the same WinRE screen, select Load Driver and browse to the folder containing the extracted drivers.
Load them and recheck with diskpart.

Startup Repair or System Restore
Once the SSD is recognized, use Startup Repair from the WinRE menu.
If you have a restore point, try System Restore to revert the system to a working state.

Please refer to the following link where other users found solution as well:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/DRIVER-PNP-WATCHDOG/td-p/841891...

Best Regards,

[bnsk_sandy · Accepted solution]

Hello @Kuroi_Kenshi

Thank you very much for your support.  The below step (in green) to disable optane volume has solved the issue on my hp laptop

Check Intel RST / Optane Configuration
In BIOS, go to UEFI Configuration > Intel® Rapid Storage Technology > Optane Volume.
You will see the Optane volume with two member disks and a Disable option.

Selecting Disable breaks the Optane cache but does not delete data on the main SSD.

After disabling, the storage controller usually switches to AHCI mode, which WinRE supports.

However below is some additional detailed information with screenshots that might help to understand how the solution works :

In Bios Configuration,  Navigate to UEFI HII Configuration, 

After Clicking on Enter,  Below screen appers :

After Clicking on Enter,  below screen appears:

Then this on. Select Disable and click Enter 

Then the below screen

IMPORTANT: After that we need to wait for some minutes or hours.

(NOTE:This is important to wait otherwise this does not work. )

After some minutes (in my case), the screen looks like below: 

After this press F10 to Save and exit. 

After this left the Laptop rebooted normally and I could see the Windows Login screen. 

I hope this additional helps someone to fix the issue quickly. 

Thank you once again for your support.