Top 11 Fixes For Clock Watchdog Timeout BSoD Error

A Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) is an indication that your computer is facing a critical error and cannot run because it was pushed to a limit. There are more than 500 stop codes for BSoDs on Windows 10. We will be looking into the rare CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error and try to get rid of it with the different methods in it. 

What Is The CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Blue Screen On Windows 10?

The stop code Clock Watchdog Timeout is a Windows 10 BSoD error indicator that could be caused when the system processor fails while processing interrupts on the system. This task stops only when the processor is not responsive or a processor thread is forced into a waiting state, as one thread waits for a response from another thread.

A system processor is pushed to this state when a processor isn’t able to handle its own cores and threads, simultaneously. The problem arises when one thread isn’t able to communicate with another or when there are no responses from the thread. 

If the processor cannot process tasks further on a computer, because of full resources and no space to receive responses. This vegetative state of the processor is known as a deadlock. 

This issue can occur even in a multi-processor system or for a processor with multiple threads. There is no specifications limit to what this issue can affect and stop everything abruptly. This issue takes different forms with different specifications. These are the various errors that the Clock Watchdog Timeout error can branch into. 

Note: Threads are tasks that are managed by the cores in the processor. Higher the cores, more threads ran by the processor. 

Variants Of The Windows 10 CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Error

There are a number of variants for this error, which might sound like it is bad. But it’s quite the contrary as all these different branches of this issue can be fixed with the same steps. 

CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Error Ryzen

This type of the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error is caused after a Ryzen powered PC is updated. The solution to this issue is to roll it back to an older version.

CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Error Intel

This variant occurs on computers with Intel processors. You’ll see this when there is a processor issue. It is recommended to look at the processor. 

Clock Watchdog Timeout Windows Version

Corrupt system files can cause this type of CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT blue screen error on your computer. You can filter them out or repair them.

Clock Watchdog Timeout Overclock

Overclocking the CPU can also cause this issue, as mentioned earlier. You will have to make changes in the configurations to fix this.

Clock Watchdog Timeout GPU And CPU Memory

Insufficient RAM or Graphics card memory can be responsible for this issue. You might have to lower the output settings or upgrade these hardware components to fix this issue. 

What Causes The Clock Watchdog Timeout Blue Screen Of Death Error?

1. Driver issues 

The first reason for a BSoD error to appear on your computer is one or more driver issues. These drivers can be outdated or corrupt, which will slow down the performance of any computer. 

2. Troublesome hardware 

If your system has incompatible or dysfunctional hardware connected to it, there may be some issues regarding the functioning of the computer. You might have to check the hardware to see if it is damaged, if it is incompatibility is not the reason. 

3. CPU overclocking

Overclocking is not a good idea if your PC does not have the necessary requirements to push itself beyond the limit. Extended overclocking on a system with low specifications is highly risky. 

4. Corrupt or incompatible system files

System files are very important to a working computer and can bring the system to a standstill when they are corrupt or missing. You can repair them or replace them with system features like the SFC and DISM scans. 

5. Malicious files

There is no limit to what viruses and other malware can do to your computer. It is not a surprise if this is the cause for this Blue Screen of Death error. You will have to use an antivirus to remove them, carefully.

6. Insufficient or Damaged RAM

A system needs the required amount of RAM to run applications and other processes. Lesser the capacity of RAM, the lower the number of processes that run on your computer. Without free memory, newer applications cannot be launched. Without adequate CPU memory, you’ll be able to see the Blue Screen of Death error often. 

Solutions To Clock Watchdog Timeout Windows 10 Blue Screen Of Death Error

These are the different methods that can be used to remove the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error on Windows 10. If you want more details about this BSoD error, you will be able to find it in the Event Viewer (eventvwr).

1. Detach USB Hardware Devices From Your Computer
2. Troubleshoot The Blue Screen Error
3. Troubleshoot The Blue Screen Error After A Clean Boot
4. Install The Latest Bios Version
5. Reset The Bios Menu
6. Update Your SSD firmware
7. Disable Overclocking
8. Go Back To A System Restore Point
9. Use The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool (Memtest)
10. Run The System File Checker (Sfc)
11. Upgrade your RAM or replace the existing ones

Fixing The Clock Watchdog Timeout Blue Screen Error On Windows 10

Follow the below steps to fix the Clock Watchdog Timeout BSoD on a Windows 10 computer. 

Detach USB Hardware Devices From Your Computer

Blue screen errors can be caused by USB devices that are connected to your computer. This is the reason that our first workaround for this issue is to clear all the USB ports on your computer. The list of USB devices comprises devices like mice, keyboards USB storage drives, cables, microphones, headphones, and other devices with a USB pin. 

Remove these devices and restart your computer. 

You should not be able to face this issue again. If you do see this blue screen on your display, it means that the workaround was not enough to fix it. Proceed with the below procedures to fix this issue. 

Troubleshoot The Blue Screen Error

Windows 10 has exclusive troubleshooters to find out and fix issues for all aspects of your computer. Since a blue screen error is a big deal, Windows has a troubleshooter to find more information about this and take preventive measures. 

These are the steps to troubleshoot the BSoD.

1. Launch the Windows Settings tool through the Start menu or with the help of the keyboard shortcut (Windows + I).

2. Go to the Update & Security tab and click on the Troubleshoot tab from the left panel. 

3. You will be able to see all the troubleshooters available on your system. 
4. If you can’t see any of them, click on the Additional troubleshooters link, which is located at the bottom of the window.

5. Expand the Blue Screen option and click on the Run the Troubleshooter option from this section. 
6. You will have to give in a few details to the troubleshooter so that you can get the correct results. 

After these steps are perfectly complete, the troubleshooting process runs and detects the source of the BSoD and fixes it. You just have to click on the Apply this fix option, when the process comes to an end. This solution will be implemented by the OS, automatically, and finally, you will have to restart your PC for these changes to take effect. 

Troubleshoot The Blue Screen Error After A Clean Boot

If the usual troubleshooting does not work, we recommend doing a clean boot of your PC and then, running the Blue Screen troubleshooter. To run the BSoD troubleshooter, use the steps above and if you do not know how to launch your Windows 10 PC in clean boot, we have given the steps below. 

The clean boot is a process that can help users narrow down and pinpoint the source of any issue on your Windows device. This is quite similar to the Safe Mode feature in Windows. Use these steps.

1. Bring up the Run tool (Windows + R) and execute the msconfig command by pressing Enter or the Ok button. 

This will open the System Configuration menu.

2. In this window, click on the General tab and locate the Selective Startup radio button. 
3. Click on it to enable selecting the below options.

4. Now, uncheck the Load startup items checkbox and move to the Services tab.

5. Check the Hide all Microsoft services option and then, select the Disable all button to turn off all services when the system boots up. 
6. Go to the Startup tab and click on the Open Task Manager link. This will take you to the Startup tab in the Task Manager.

7. Find all the enabled services, right-click on them and select Disable to deactivate these processes. 

Reboot your system and the computer will be launched only with minimal and necessary files and features. After you boot your device up this way, you will have to troubleshoot the blue screen issue again. 

Install The Latest BIOS Version

A BIOS is software that controls the motherboard of a computer. It is always recommended to have the latest version of the BIOS update to have better coordination with the hardware components of your computer. This can help to fix the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Windows 10 error on your device. This is a very risky process as making a mistake can cause a series of system crashes. 

These are the steps to update the BIOS menu safely.

1. Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website through a browser and open the Support web page or the Downloads page.
2. In the search bar on the page, enter the model name, serial number, and OS type. The search results will display the laptop or motherboard model that you are looking for BIOS updates. Some websites may also show you similar models, from which you have to choose the right one.
3. Find the latest version of the BIOS update, with the help of the release date mentioned next to it, and download it onto your computer, by click on the Download button.
4. Once the download finishes, go to the download location, right-click on it and click on the Run as Administrator option. It is easier when the update is an executable setup file.
5. If this file was downloaded as a ZIP file, you might have to extract it to a USB storage drive and install it via the BIOS menu interface.

If your computer has a pre-installed application or interface, that helps you download and install drivers and BIOS updates, we recommend using it as a risk-free method to update the BIOS interface.

Reset The BIOS Menu

The BIOS settings play a key role in the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error there wouldn’t have been an issue when the computer was booted up for the first time with the default BIOS and Operating System (OS) configurations. Considering that this idea might work, you can try resetting the BIOS settings so that the settings are back to default. 

Here’s how you can set the BIOS back to the original settings. 

1. Boot up your system and interrupt the booting by pressing the F10, F12, or Delete keys on your keyboard to stop the boot and launch the BIOS menu. 
2. Then, press the F2 key to bring up the BIOS settings menu. Here, you will be able to find the option to configure these settings back to the original settings, as of before. 
3. After resetting, hit the F10 key and confirm in the prompt window, that appears, for the changes to take effect and the computer will be rebooted again.

Update Your SSD firmware

You can try updating the SSD firmware to see if it can fix the Clock Watchdog Timeout error on your device. The SSD firmware can be updated with the help of interface applications, developed to provide updates and news about the Solid State Drives. These tools can be downloaded from the SSD manufacturer’s website. Once these tools are installed, it should be easy to download these updates.  

Disable Overclocking

Overclocking is the process of pushing the output performance of a computer, more than the safety limit set to its components. The prospect of having the best output might sound great, but it comes with the cost of overheating and hardware life deterioration.

Users should never overclock their CPUs and GPUs unless they have sufficient cooling systems in their computers or the specifications are designed to withstand overclocking to push out outputs of high quality. Even if these conditions are met, it is not advisable to overclock the system for a long time. 

Users can disable this feature by reducing the output quality in videos, games, or other renderable elements. You can also use applications that control the CPU to stop your system from overclocking. 

Go Back To A System Restore Point

A system restore point is a save point for the OS, containing perfectly functioning configurations of the computer. If you have created one earlier, you can go back to it when your system has an issue.

1. Enter system restore point into the taskbar search field and then click on the first search result.
2. This will launch the System Properties dialog box onto your screen. In this window, press the System Restore button.

3. When the System Restore window opens, click on the Next button on the main page. You’ll see a lot of restore points that you have made in the past, on your computer. 
4. Select the latest Restore Point and click on the Next button at the bottom-right part of the Window. 
5. In the final window, click on the Finish button to close this window and load a restore point.

Use The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool (Memtest)

The Windows Memory Diagnostics test is a process that helps Windows users detect issues with the computer memory when initiated. It is quite easy to run this highly efficient test with the help of the following instructions. 

1. Open the Run tool on your system, by searching for it in the taskbar search menu or by pressing the Windows + R keys together, on your keyboard. 
2. In the Open text box, type in Mdsched and click on the Ok button or press Enter. This is the executable command for opening the MemTest tool.
3. Users can also type in Memory in the search field and open this diagnostics tool from the search results. 
4. When the small Windows Memory Diagnostic tool window appears, choose Restart now and check for problems (Recommended).

Run The System File Checker (SFC)

A System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility that is used to detect corrupt system files and replace them with a newer version of the same file so that the computer runs without crashing or slowly. 

1. Input cmd in the search bar placed in the taskbar, right-click on the Command Prompt app, and choose Run as Administrator from the context menu. This will bring up a Command prompt window with admin privileges. 
2. Type in the following command line in the command prompt window so that it can be launched:

sfc /scannow

3. Then, press the Enter key on your keyboard to execute the System File Checker command.

Restart your PC to keep the last updated changes.

We recommend executing the SFC scan a minimum of two times so that your computer can be completely scanned.

Upgrade The RAM Or Replace The Existing Ones

Your final option is to attach new RAM sticks into the slots on your motherboard. This will increase the CPU memory and allows the system to run more processes and use many threads simultaneously.

You will need to purchase one or more RAM sticks that are compatible with the motherboard. 

The above content contains the solutions to stop the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error from occurring on your computer, once again. If these solutions do not help, you have no option but to take your PC to an authorized service center. They’ll help you fix this issue so that you don’t face it for a considerable amount of time.  

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