Graphics driver crashing while gaming [ Display driver igfxn stopped responding ]

[dumblydore]

It is a Dell Inspiron 3501. This issue only started occurring very recently. The games I am running used to run absolutely fine before.

It has an i5 1135G7, running Iris Xe Graphics. 

While gaming, I've seen games randomly freeze visually; the screen is frozen, but I can still hear audio. 

After forcefully closing it via task manager, I cannot go on because then the screen repeatedly, absolutely randomly starts flickering after short intervals. 

This issue is only 'fixed' after a restart. The flickering also goes away. But again, randomly in the game it will freeze, and after closing it the screen will flickering.

I am assuming the driver is graphics, on the basis of my findings in device manager:

Device PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9A49&SUBSYS_0A251028&REV_01\3&11583659&0&10 had a problem starting.

Driver Name: oem0.inf
Class Guid: {4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Service: igfxn
Lower Filters:
Upper Filters:
Problem: 0x0
Problem Status: 0xC00000E5

and event viewer:

Display driver igfxn stopped responding and has successfully recovered.

So far, I have tried:

1. Updating drivers to latest version on Intel website
2. Updating drivers to latest version on Dell website
3. Doing both of the above things after a clean install with DDU
4. Rolling back drivers to previous version
5. Reinstalling the games
6. Turning down graphics quality and resolution to the bare minimum in games.

It is difficult for me to deliberately reproduce the problem. It just occurs randomly.

I am beginning to think it may be with the physical hardware bus itself, but I sincerely hope it is just a software issue that is able to be fixed.

Thanks in advance.

[JedG_Intel]

Hello dumblydore,

Thank you for posting at Intel Community Forum

For me to properly address this concern, please share the following details:

1. Did you make any recent changes on the system?

2. Have you checked if your device is overheating?

3. Does the issue occur right after running the game?

4. Have you tried contacting your laptop manufacturer?

Additionally, you may check out this link for more troubleshooting - Tips for Random System Freezing Issue

I hope to hear from you soon!

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[dumblydore]

1. No, I have not made any sort of changes within the past few months I would say.

2. As far as I can tell, no, it isn't overheating. It is not hot to the touch at all, and if I look at the temperatures they usually stay at around 60 degrees during gaming.

3. No, the issue occurs randomly.

4. Yes, but they were not very helpful regarding the issue hence I thought to come to intel forums. They recommended installing the OEM drivers, which I did but it did not fix the issue. 

If it is relevant, I think the issue may or may not be linked to Windows Update, because I see really weird updates happening in Windows Update sometimes.

Also, I think Windows may or may not be rolling back the driver, but I'm not exactly sure.

[VARADHARAJAN]

@dumblydore 

Are you using recommended dell graphics, a custom driver?  if yes means, then with Intel generic driver version 5972

Intel® Arc™ & Iris® Xe Graphics - Windows*

Before installing the new driver, uninstall the existing graphics driver using the DDU software. After restart windows, then installing new driver.

Vardharajan K

[dumblydore]

I have already tried installing the latest version 5972 driver, but the issue persisted. Still, I will try again with DDU and let you know if the issue is fixed.

[dumblydore]

I tried the latest generic driver version 5972. The issue persists.

[dumblydore]

I still think it might be related to windows update. Just now, the screen went black, I heard the windows sound of a device being unplugged/plugged, and the screen came back. 

Windows Update seems to be trying to install the older, 5333 version.

[JedG_Intel]

Hi dumblydore,

Thank you for sharing all this information.

I'm just checking in to see if you need further assistance. Please let me know at your earliest convenience so that we can determine the best course of action to resolve this matter.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[dumblydore]

Yes, the issue has still not been resolved. I have also fully reset the PC but the issue still persists.

Windows Update keeps on installing all the drivers at once. Also, I have attached a video showing how the screen blurs and flickers a bit after the graphics driver crashes. This issue goes away after a restart but comes back after the driver crashes again.

[VARADHARAJAN]

@dumblydore 

Sorry you facing still today.  you can prevent drivers downloading from windows update by adding registry key

and then you can drivers manually  

Open the cmd prompt application Copy the below line and paste and press enter

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1

Note : 

Downloading all the drivers will be stopped from windows updates.

reverting
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate

I am using same method on my computer 

Vardharajan K

[dumblydore]

ok, i will try and get back to you