Fixing the ERROR_WAKE_SYSTEM_DEBUGGER Issue on Windows

Step 1: Check Kernel Debugging Status

To check whether kernel debugging is enabled:

1. Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and select Run as administrator to open Command Prompt.
2. Input bcdedit /debug and press Enter.
3. If the output indicates that debugging is enabled, it means kernel debugging is active.

Step 2: Turn Off Kernel Debugging

To disable kernel debugging:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type bcdedit /debug off and hit Enter.
3. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 3: Inspect Active Debugging Processes

To check for running debugging applications:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, look for any debugging tools, such as WinDbg or Visual Studio.
3. Select any found debugging tools and click on End task.

Pro Tip: Use the !process 0 0 command in WinDbg to check for active sessions.

Step 4: Disable Debugging Features in Windows

To turn off debugging features:

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R.
2. Type cmd and run it as administrator.
3. Enter bcdedit /debug off and press Enter.
4. Restart your system to save the changes.

Step 5: Check for Active Breakpoints in Your Code

If using Visual Studio, ensure there are no active breakpoints:

1. Open Visual Studio and navigate to the Debug menu.
2. Select Windows, then choose Breakpoints.
3. In the Breakpoints window, review and delete any that may cause triggers.

Step 6: Update or Reinstall Problematic Drivers

To check for driver issues:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type devmgmt.msc to access the Device Manager.
3. Look for devices with a yellow triangle and right-click them for options.
4. Select Update driver and opt for automatic search.

Should updates not resolve your issues, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the driver.

Step 7: Monitor Hardware Interrupts

To check for interrupts:

1. Open the Run dialog with Windows + R.
2. Type perfmon to start Performance Monitor.
3. Follow this path: Performance Monitor > Monitoring Tools > System Diagnostics.
4. Watch for any spikes in Interrupts or DPCs that could be affecting your system.

Step 8: Perform a Clean Boot

To initiate a clean boot:

1. Access the Run dialog with Windows + R.
2. Type msconfig to open System Configuration.
3. In the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft Services and click Disable all.
4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
5. Disable all enabled startup items before closing the window.
6. In System Configuration, click Apply and then OK.
7. Finally, click Restart.

What is ERROR_WAKE_SYSTEM_DEBUGGER?