Bluescreens DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION on HP Envy x360

[TheCGamer]

Hi there,

I have a Problem with my HP Envy 2-in-1. I'm getting bluescreens with the Error DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION.Using WinDebug to analyse the Minidumps, the problem seems to be attached to the process ntkrnlmp.exe.

The problem typically goes like this: I'm starting OneNote and shortly after writing down my first few sentences with the Tilt Pen, OneNote becomes incredibly slow, shortly after that, the whole system freezes and crashes with the bluescreen. Sometimes the bluescreens randomly occur while doing nothing. I have also seen bluescreens with a WIFI-related error, but can't remember the exact code right now.

The frequency of the Errors seems to depend on whether I'm at home or I'm at university, which I'm mostly using the laptop for. I think the error could be related to the MediaTek Wifi 7 Module or its driver, because changing the WIFI network I'm in seems to have a influence on the frequency of the error.

I've already tried to install all kind of Windows and driver updates and have also ran the Windows system repair function in the command window (dism and sfc). I really don't know what to do anymore since the HP Whatsapp support isn't helping and the telephone support is always hanging up on me.

Looking forward to your replies. Thanks in advance!
Chris

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@TheCGamer, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
Thanks for the detailed info — that actually helps a lot.
Let's break it down carefully:
Your Situation:

• Device: HP Envy x360 14-fa0000 (8Z8P7AV)
• OS: Windows 11
• Crash: DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION (points to drivers or storage issues usually, sometimes Wi-Fi)
• When: Happens often when using OneNote with a pen, or sometimes randomly (even idle)
• Analysis: ntkrnlmp.exe blamed — common in all watchdog violations; it's the Windows kernel. Root cause is almost always a bad driver under the hood, not the kernel itself.
• Hints: You suspect MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 driver. (Good catch!)

Yes, this is very likely related to your Wi-Fi driver.
Especially because:

• Wi-Fi changes (home vs. university) affect crash frequency.
• There were sometimes Wi-Fi-related blue screens.
• MediaTek wireless drivers are known for being buggy on newer chipsets + Windows 11.

What You Should Do Next:

Update (or Rollback) the MediaTek Wi-Fi Driver Manually

HP Support Assistant won't always install the "right" version.

• Go to HP driver page for your device and search by your serial number.
• Look for MediaTek Wireless LAN Driver.
• If it’s new (within the last month or two), install it manually.
• OR — if you already have the latest, roll back the driver:
  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click MediaTek Wi-Fi adapter → Properties.
  4. Go to the Driver tab → If available, click Roll Back Driver.

(Sometimes, an earlier driver is more stable.)

Change Wi-Fi Power Settings

Wi-Fi cards sometimes crash due to aggressive Windows power management.

• Go to Device Manager → Network adapters → Right-click your Wi-Fi → Properties.
• Under Power Management, uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

Also:

• Control Panel → Power Options → Set plan to High Performance or Balanced (not Power Saver).

Optional - Update BIOS

If HP has a newer BIOS for your model (very common for x360 series), install it.
Sometimes they include Wi-Fi and platform stability fixes.

(If Problems Persist) Disable Wi-Fi 6/7 Temporarily

Wi-Fi 6/7 modes can cause instability with bad drivers. You can tell Windows to prefer Wi-Fi 5 mode:

• Open Device Manager.
• Right-click MediaTek Wi-Fi adapter → Properties.
• Go to the Advanced tab.
• Find settings like 802.11ax / Wi-Fi 6 — set it to Disabled.
• (Not all adapters show this option, but check.)

Why OneNote + Pen Causes It?

Heavy OneNote activity wakes up a bunch of background sync processes (sync to cloud → triggers heavy Wi-Fi use) + pen drivers, so the system is under load from Wi-Fi + input drivers → crashes.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[TheCGamer]

Hi Max3Aj,

Thank you very much for your advice and help!

I have tried all your steps, except for diabling the Wifi 7 or Wifi 6 capabilities. First, I want to know if the other steps help.

Wifi Driver: Windows wouldn't let me install the Driver found on the HP Website. It says, that a better driver is already installed. I'm currently on the version you can see in the screenshot. However I disabled the option, that Windows can turn off the device to save power.

I also saw, that I indeed had my power options set to "Power saver" in the control panel. Like you advised, I have changed it to Balanced now.

I will keep an eye on the problem in the next few days and will report, if those measures resolved it. I will keep you up-to-date here.

Thanks and greetings!
Chris

[Max3Aj]

@TheCGamer, Sure, Chris. 

Please do keep me posted. 

Regards, 

Max3Aj