How to fix the Clock watchdog timeout error on Windows 10?
Several Windows users were able to solve this error by trying out different solutions. What worked for most users was updating the drivers. And for others updating the BIOS to the latest version did the work. So basically, this error can show up on your system for different reasons, and the solutions to them are also different. Hence, it would be best to try all the possible solutions mentioned below until you find the one that works for you.
Update your drivers:
One of the chief causes behind the Clock watchdog timeout error is outdated or faulty drivers. So firstly, you need to update your drivers to the latest version. You can do that manually, automatically, or by using a third-party utility program.
To update your drivers automatically,
- Press the Windows Key + R to open up the Run dialog box.
- Enter “devmgmt.msc” in the Run dialog box and press the Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys.
- The device manager will open up. Here, you need to look for devices that could have outdated drivers. Right-click on them and choose “Update Driver.”
- Then follow the on-screen instructions to let Windows automatically search for the latest drivers and then install them.
To update your drivers manually, you need to download the setup file for the drivers manually. You will find the option to download the latest driver setup on the manufacturer’s website. If you are looking to update your GPU, go to your GPU manufacturer’s website and, based on your model number and system configuration, download the latest drivers. Do the same for every other device that needs a driver update. Once you download the required setup files for drivers, install all these files on your system.
Finally, you can also use a third-party application to update all your outdated or faulty drivers. Several programs have the feature to scan and detect outdated and faulty drivers. Just install one such program on your system and let it scan your computer. If it finds any outdated drivers, it will automatically install all the latest drivers with just a single click. Yes, these programs charge a bit for their service, but the price is well worth it since you don’t need to worry about outdated drivers on your system ever again.
If updating the drivers did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Update your BIOS:
Updating BIOS involves installing new firmware on your motherboard. So you have to be extra careful with this process, or you might end up with a non-functional system. You can find the setup file for your latest BIOS version on your laptop manufacturer’s website. Just look for available downloads for your laptop or computer model, and you will see the setup file for the latest BIOS. If you don’t find it there, you can also search for BIOS update for your computer motherboard model.
Once you download that setup file, install it on your computer. Your system will restart for your installation to complete. Once you have the latest BIOS installed, go back to using your system like you usually do.
If, even after updating the BIOS, you still encounter the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Remove problematic programs:
Several third-party programs can also be the cause of this Blue Screen Of Death error. Most antivirus programs are problematic software, and you should try uninstalling them from your computer. If uninstalling the antivirus does not solve your problem, then you can install it again. But if the system stops showing up the error after uninstalling the antivirus, then that is the solution for you. You need to find another third-party antivirus program or use the one that comes as default with Windows. Many Asus users have also reported that using the Asus AI Suite can result in this Blue Screen of Death error. So it would be best if you uninstalled that too, along with your antivirus program.
To uninstall your antivirus program,
- Press Windows Key + I to open up the Windows Settings window.
- Click on Apps.
- You will see the entire list of installed applications on your computer. Find the antivirus program and then click on it. Then click on the Uninstall button right below it.
- Then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
- Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer.
If uninstalling your antivirus program did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Reset BIOS:
If your BIOS settings are not properly aligned, that could be the potential cause of this error message. Yes, we try different things on our computer, and in that while, you could have changed a few things with your BIOS menu. But this is easily fixable since all you need to do is reset the BIOS setup on your computer.
To do that, restart your computer and get into your BIOS menu. Different computers have different keys assigned to open up the BIOS menu. Find the one for your computer, and enter your BIOS menu when you are booting it up. Look around the settings here and then find the setting that resets everything on your BIOS to default.
If resetting your BIOS did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Reset overclocked settings:
Several applications can potentially overclock the GPU, RAM, and CPU on your computer. That will help you get more out of your PC, but it can even work against you as overclocking hardware can also lead to hardware failure over a long time. So if you have used any means to overclock any part of your PC, reset everything back to its default value. Overclocking might get your extra performance, but it will create more problems for your system. The Clock watchdog timeout Blue Screen of Death error is one of them.
If resetting your overclocked settings did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Update SSD firmware:
Another possible reason behind this error message is outdated or faulty SSD firmware. Consult the help of a professional, or call the helpline of your SSD manufacturer and enquire about the process of updating the firmware in the SSD. You will surely find a proper way to do it. Don’t try to listen to a friend and do it yourself, as different SSD’s work differently. Also, remember to back up everything that is on your SSD before you go ahead with the update.
If updating the SSD’s firmware did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Disable C1E and Intel SpeedStep in BIOS:
Several settings in the BIOS menu could be the potential cause behind the Clock watchdog timeout error. Two of them are C1E and Intel SpeedStep. Get into your BIOS menu again, and this time look for the C1E and Intel SpeedStep settings. Once you find them, disable them right away using the navigation keys and the enter key.
If disabling C1E and Intel SpeedStep in the BIOS also does not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Disable Asus Turbo features:
Asus computers have some built-in programs or tools that help you get the best of your system. One particular mode that is common in most high-end Asus devices is its turbo mode. This helps when you are gaming a lot as it allows the user to get the maximum of the processor onboard. But having it turned on can work against you, and sometimes it often ends up showing up the Clock watchdog timeout Blue Screen of Death error. So you need to disable these features entirely.
If disabling Asus turbo features also does not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Update Windows to the latest version:
Microsoft is aware that Windows users often encounter errors with their machines. So every once in a while, they release an update that fixes most of the ongoing issues on a Windows computer. If you are using a system with an outdated version of Windows 10, you should consider updating it to the latest version.
- Press Windows Key + I to open up the Windows Settings window.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Then click on the Windows Update tab in the left pane of the window. On the right-pane, here you will see the updates that are available for download for your computer. Click on the download button to download and install these updates on your computer.
- Once you are done with that, restart your computer to complete the update process.
If updating Windows to the latest version also did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Uninstall problematic updates:
If you see this error after performing a Windows update, then that update is probably the cause behind it. Luckily, Windows lets you uninstall a Windows update even after installing it. You can do that to eliminate this error that you have developed after updating your Windows version.
- Press Windows Key + I to open up the Windows Settings window.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Then click on the Windows Update tab in the left pane of the window. On the right pane, you will see the option “View Update history.” Click on it.
- Now in the next window, click on “Uninstall Updates.” A list of all installed updates will show up on your screen.
- Click on the Windows update, after which you started witnessing this Blue Screen Of Death error. Then click on Uninstall to uninstall that Windows update. Once you are done with the uninstallation, restart your computer.
If uninstalling problematic Windows update also did not help with the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Use System Restore:
System Restore is a Window feature that lets you restore your PC to a previous point. So you can use it to restore your computer to a point when you did not have the Clock watchdog timeout error.
- Press Windows Key + R to open up the Run dialog box.
- Enter “sysdm.cpl” in the dialog box and click on Ok.
- Click on the System Protection tab in the System Properties window.
- Click on the “System Restore” button here, and it will open up the System Restore window. Click on Next here.
- Then you will see a list of all the restore points available on your computer. Just pick the one that suits your need and go ahead with the system restore.
- Once the system restore is complete, restart your computer.
If using system restore did not solve the Clock watchdog timeout error, try the next solution mentioned below.
Clean install Windows:
If none of the solutions mentioned above worked for you, then clean installing Windows is the only solution you have now. Get a bootable USB or CD and load the Windows setup files on it. You can download the latest Windows files directly from Microsoft’s website. Just remember to save your product key so you can use it to authenticate your Windows after installing Windows all over again.
Keep a backup of everything essential to you. You can back up the important files to a cloud storage service or an external storage device. And during the installation, ensure that you format the entire system drive before installing Windows on it.
After installing Windows all over again, you should not witness the Clock watchdog timeout Blue Screen of Death error again.
Check for faulty hardware:
If none of the solutions mentioned above worked, you should consider that something could be wrong with your computer’s hardware. Get your computer to your nearest IT professional and get him/her to check your machine’s hardware thoroughly. If he/she finds something wrong with the hardware on board, get that part replaced on your computer.
These are all the possible solutions to fix the Clock watchdog timeout error on Windows 10. If you have any questions or queries about this article, then comment below, and we will get back to you. Also, be sure to check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more useful information.
