Clock Watchdog Timeout is a blue screen error that Microsoft Windows users can encounter. There are a few possible causes and solutions to this rare problem.
The instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, but most of the information also applies to Windows 8 and Windows 7.
Causes of watchdog timeout error
Stop errors or blue screen errors occur when Windows freezes. When you see the Clock Watchdog Timeout error, the problem is usually with your processor. Common causes are:
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The clock watchdog error “Timeout” can occur before or after startup. If you cannot log into Windows, try restarting your computer in Safe Mode to troubleshoot. If Windows doesn’t start in Safe Mode, you may need to repair Windows from the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Try following these steps in order until the issue is resolved:
Use the Windows memory diagnostic tool. The Windows memory diagnostic tool usefulness comes with Windows 10. Open the program and restart your computer. Windows searches for errors and fixes them automatically.
Use the system restore function. If you previously created a restore point for your PC, use Windows System Restore to return your computer to the state before the problems started.
Clear overclock settings. Overclocking your GPU can result in impressive graphics performance, but it can also tax your CPU. Remove the overclock settings to see if that fixes the issue.
windows update Check and install Windows updates to ensure you have the latest bug fixes for your operating system.
Update or downgrade your PC drivers. If you recently updated hardware drivers, try rolling back the hardware drivers. Otherwise, try updating your drivers using a program like Driver Reviver.
Disconnect the new hardware. Disconnect any hardware that you recently connected to your computer and restart Windows. If you find that external hardware is the culprit, make sure the latest drivers support Windows 10.
Remove recently installed software. If you see the error shortly after installing a new program, try uninstalling it.
Delete recent updates. Check your system’s update history and remove any updates that were installed around the time the error occurred. To prevent the problematic update from being installed again, you need to turn off automatic updates for Windows 10.
Remove your antivirus software. Some malware stopping programs can cause blue screen errors unintentionally. Most antivirus developers offer utilities that completely remove all files and associated registry entries. If this solves the problem, be sure to install an alternative antivirus tool.
Update your SSD firmware. If you have a solid state drive (SSD), download and install the latest firmware update from the manufacturer’s website.
Clean or replace old hardware components. Physically clean your computer with compressed air. You may also need to replace hardware components such as the motherboard, CPU, or GPU.
Disconnect all external drives and reinstall Windows 10. External hardware can cause conflicts during installation. So if you recently updated your operating system, reinstall Windows 10 with all devices disconnected.
Reset and update your system BIOS. Resetting the BIOS will restore your PC to its original state. A mistake can cause irreparable damage to your PC. Check your motherboard manual or manufacturer’s website for advice.
Troubleshooting clean boot mode. If you still haven’t found the source of the problem, perform a clean boot to load Windows with the bare minimum of drivers and programs it needs to run. You can then disable individual processes one by one until the error goes away.
You must restart your computer after disabling each process for the change to take effect.