What Is an Interrupt Request IRQ ?
What Is an Interrupt Request (IRQ)? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows
IRQL_NOT_GREATER_OR_EQUAL
STOP: 0x00000008
STOP: 0x00000009
See How to Fix STOP 0x00000009 Errors if you're experiencing either of those stop errors (our advice is similar for both). While it's possible for the same IRQ channel to be used for more than one device (so long as both aren't actually being used at the same time), it's normally not the case. An IRQ conflict most likely occurs when two pieces of hardware are attempting to use the same channel for an interrupt request. Since the Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC) doesn't support this, the computer might freeze up or the devices will stop working as expected (or stop working entirely). Back in the early Windows days, IRQ errors were common and it took a lot of troubleshooting to fix them. This was because it was more common to set IRQ channels manually, like with DIP switches, which made it more likely that more than one device was using the same IRQ line. However, IRQs are handled much better in newer versions of Windows that use plug and play, so you'll rarely see an IRQ conflict or other IRQ issue.
What Is an IRQ (Interrupt Request)?
Devices send an IRQ to the processor to request access
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 7, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide An IRQ, short for Interrupt Request, is used in a computer to send exactly that—a request to interrupt the CPU by some other piece of hardware.Purpose of IRQ
An Interrupt Request is necessary for things like keyboard presses, mouse movements, printer actions, and more. When the request is made by a device to momentarily stop the processor, the computer is then able to give the device some time to run its own operation. For example, each time you press a key on the keyboard, an interrupt handler tells the processor that it needs to stop what it's currently doing so that it can handle the keystrokes. Each device communicates the request over a unique data line called a channel. Most of the time you see IRQ referenced, it's alongside this channel number, also called an IRQ number. For example, IRQ 4 might be used for one device and IRQ 7 for another. IRQ is pronounced as the letters I-R-Q, not as erk.IRQ Errors
Errors related to Interrupt Request are usually only seen when installing new hardware or changing the settings in existing hardware. Here are some IRQ errors you might see: IRQL_NOT_DISPATCH_LEVELIRQL_NOT_GREATER_OR_EQUAL
STOP: 0x00000008
STOP: 0x00000009
See How to Fix STOP 0x00000009 Errors if you're experiencing either of those stop errors (our advice is similar for both). While it's possible for the same IRQ channel to be used for more than one device (so long as both aren't actually being used at the same time), it's normally not the case. An IRQ conflict most likely occurs when two pieces of hardware are attempting to use the same channel for an interrupt request. Since the Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC) doesn't support this, the computer might freeze up or the devices will stop working as expected (or stop working entirely). Back in the early Windows days, IRQ errors were common and it took a lot of troubleshooting to fix them. This was because it was more common to set IRQ channels manually, like with DIP switches, which made it more likely that more than one device was using the same IRQ line. However, IRQs are handled much better in newer versions of Windows that use plug and play, so you'll rarely see an IRQ conflict or other IRQ issue.