When a thread (operating system) tries to obtain a lower-level mutex that it does not already hold but is unable to find, it displays the MUTEX_LEVEL_NUMBER_VIOLATION blue screen of death error with a bug check value of 0x0000000D. Though it rarely appears in Windows, troubleshooting the MUTEX_LEVEL_NUMBER_VIOLATION BSOD issue is more challenging. Let’s go right to it, then!
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What Causes the Mutex Level Number Violation BSOD and How to Solve It
The error usually occurs due to conflicting apps or outdated/incompatible drivers that interfere with the functioning of mutexes. To resolve this BSOD error, you can try the following methods.
Method 1: Repair Corrupt Files
The MUTEX_LEVEL_NUMBER_VIOLATION can arise due to corrupt system files that can be replaced with a fresh cached copy using the DISM and SFC commands. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Press Win + R to launch the RUN box and type CMD.
Step 2: Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt in admin mode.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following commands one by one, each followed by the Enter key.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
All of the corrupt system files can be fixed by running the SFC scan and DISM instructions. These two essentially replace all such files on the PC with their cached copies.
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Method 2: Update Drivers
The next method to get rid of this error is to update the drivers of your PC. The manual method of updating drivers via Device Manager is time and effort-consuming and does not always guarantee results. Hence we suggest using a third-party driver updater software like Smart Driver Care. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Install Smart Driver Care after downloading it.
Step 2: Open the application and select “Start Scan Now.”
Step 3: A list of driver problems is going to show up. Next to the Graphic driver, click the Update option.
Step 4: Restart your computer after the procedure is finished.
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Method 3: Remove Conflicting Software
The MUTEX_LEVEL_NUMBER_VIOLATION can also arise if there is conflicting software with the Operating system. Hence it is advised to remove the recently installed software one by one to check and identify the problematic application.
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box and type appwiz.cpl, followed by the Enter key.
Step 2: A list of programs installed on your PC will be available along with the publisher and the installation date.
Step 3: Look for the recently installed programs in the date column select them one by one and click on the Uninstall link in the top tab.
Step 4: Adhere to the steps on the screen to uninstall the program.
Step 5: Reboot the PC and check if the error has been fixed. Continue removing the recently installed apps one by one until the error has been fixed.
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Method 4: Remove The Latest Updates
Many users have complained that the MUTEX_LEVEL_NUMBER_VIOLATION error arose after Windows Updates and thus the recommended solution by experts is to uninstall the recent updates until the problem is fixed by Microsoft. Here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Press Win + I to launch the Settings window.
Step 2: Click on the Windows Updates tab in the left panel.
Step 3: Click on Update History on the right side.
Step 4: Scroll down until you see Uninstall Updates and click on it.
Step 5: A list of recently installed updates will appear on the screen.
Step 6: Click on the Uninstall link beside each update to remove them.
Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.
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This Is How I Fixed The Mutex Level Number Violation BSOD & You Can Too
Fixing the Mutex Level Number Violation BSOD involves troubleshooting and addressing underlying system issues. By following the recommended steps and applying solutions tailored to your system, you can resolve this error, ensuring a stable and reliable computing experience. For me updating the drivers to the latest version helped in fixing the issue. Hence, you can try the same. Prioritizing system health and addressing potential software conflicts will help mitigate this frustrating blue screen error, providing a smoother and more reliable operation of your system.
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