KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED and NETIO.SYS. What are these?

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KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED and NETIO.SYS. What are these?

Paolo Eduardo 20

My laptop crashes and the return it says on Windbg is KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED.I have posted here before about BSODs and this is a new one. before, DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION and CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUTS were the return errors but it somehow fixed itself or rather it stopped because I got it cleaned. one dude tried to help me but it still didn't fix my computer. I recently cleaned the hardware as stated earlier because I thought it might be the culprit but the crashes seldom happen. I also have done numerous fixes like updating BIOS, updating the drivers through Windows update and manually, reseating RAM, reseating SSD but to no avail. Can anyone help me? it would be much appreciated. here are the dump files for a clearer view.

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Answer 1

Ivan B 123.1K Independent Advisor

Hi ,

What is the laptop model? If possible, access Msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot and post it here?

If possible, upload the minidumps to OneDrive or Google Drive and share the link here.

There's a very high probability that it's a hardware issue.

Thanks

Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T18:21:12.1666667+00:00

Hello,

Here is the Google Drive for the dumps and here is the screenshot:

Minidumps

Also, I would like to say that after uploading the question earlier, I tried to do one last method to stop the crashing and that is turning off the wifi and to my surprise, the crashes stopped. I tried it both on and off and the crashes only occur when the wifi is turned on. Hope this information helps.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-03T18:45:56.93+00:00

Hi,

Because it's the culprit according to the information you gave, NETIO.SYS is a network driver failure. I didn't know which network driver was causing it, so I ran minidumps to be sure before stating otherwise.

Remember, the chances are it's a hardware issue; the Wi-Fi chip might be faulty.

All minidumps report a network driver failure. If possible, test using a wired network connection to see if the problem persists with Wi-Fi turned off.

Do you have any network optimization applications for games, third-party antivirus, or VPN?

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T18:49:52.3033333+00:00

Hello,

I'll get back to you after I test my laptop using a wired connection and see if it still persists with the Wi-Fi turned off.

I do not have any network optimization applications for games, I do have Malwarebytes installed which I am not sure if it's an antivirus but I just recently installed it, and no, I do not have any VPNs.

Thank you.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-03T18:53:58.51+00:00

Hi,

So, chances are the Wi-Fi chip is faulty. Try testing it for at least 24 hours with a wired network connection and see if the problem persists. If it does, and you have Malwarebytes installed (though I don't believe that's the issue), try another test without it installed on the Wi-Fi network.

If the problem doesn't occur with the wired connection or with the Wi-Fi chip hardware, I'm sorry, but you should contact Acer since you've already updated the BIOS and installed the drivers directly from the Acer website.

Please let me know how the tests went.

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T18:58:07.5166667+00:00

Hello,

So what you're saying is, if the Wi-Fi chip is faulty, that's when I should contact Acer? Is it possible for me just to buy and replace the Wi-Fi chip online?

Thank you.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-03T19:07:03.3433333+00:00

Hi,

Well, if it's under warranty, I recommend you contact Acer. However, you could buy a Wi-Fi chip and replace it. If you don't have experience, you can take it to an authorized Acer service center.

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T19:10:24.3166667+00:00

Hello,

It's not under warranty anymore. I do have experience and I just wanted a bit of assurance from a user. I really appreciate you answering my question. I'll get back to you after doing the tests you suggested.

Thanks.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-03T19:12:59.16+00:00

Hi,

I understand, I'll be waiting for your reply.

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-04T06:54:17.77+00:00

Hello,

I just realized that I actually have Proton VPN installed, as well as Proton Pass and Proton Drive. Should I uninstall these and test my device?

Thanks.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-04T18:19:28.8733333+00:00

Hi,

Yes, uninstall (Proton VPN, Proton Pass, and Proton Drive) and test.

Keep me informed.

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-05T14:42:05.01+00:00

Hello,

I uninstalled them but CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT came back. However, it is not giving me any new dump files. I do not know what's wrong anymore.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-05T23:22:29.7766667+00:00

Hii,

If possible, can you take a screenshot?

Did you test just the network cable and see if the problem occurs again?

Open the command prompt (admin) and run the commands: sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, wait for the process to finish and restart the computer.

Then perform a clean boot and if you want to uninstall applications that you do not use.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-execute-a-simple-boot-start-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-06T14:21:50.9466667+00:00

Hello,

I have not yet tested the device with just the network cable. I only tested to see if disconnecting from the Wi-Fi and uninstalling all the Proton apps would still crash my computer, and it did. I had hopes that when I'm disconnected from the Wi-Fi, the crashes would stop but it still crashed. Also, the crashes happen whenever I'm playing Minecraft and Roblox. I do not understand why some not-so graphically demanding games result in a crash but when playing graphically demanding games like Resident Evil 9 and God of War: Ragnarok does not.

As per your suggestions, I always do them at least once a week but it does nothing. The crashes still happen.

Thanks.
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-06T20:26:38.9866667+00:00

Hi,

Please test with the Wi-Fi network driver completely disabled and connected via cable to confirm if the Wi-Fi chip is causing the problem.

If possible, upload new minidumps with new crashes and post them here.

Thanks
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-08T09:45:39.2366667+00:00

Hi,

Were you able to complete the tests?

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-04-08T09:55:03.28+00:00

Hello,

I haven't done them yet. I got sidetracked. I'll update you as soon as possible.

Thanks
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-08T14:23:20.2133333+00:00

Hi,

Understood, I'll be waiting.

Thanks
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-09T10:11:44.5033333+00:00

Hi,

Were you able to complete the tests?

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T14:40:18.0433333+00:00

Hello,

I apologize for not being able to respond ASAP. I have not done any tests regarding the internet connection, but I tried to play something while the Wi-Fi is off. Before, it wouldn't crash but now it's crashing even with the Wi-Fi off so I don't think it's the Wi-Fi anymore.

However, I might have ran into something else. I was playing a game when suddenly it crashed. It got me thinking, what if I tried to unplug my computer from the charger? I ran the game with only the battery's power and the crashes stopped. Could it be because of the charger? Should I replace my charger? What should I do now?

Thank you
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-12T15:58:29.7333333+00:00

Hi,

Yes, that implies one of two things: either the charger is malfunctioning or the connector is faulty. This could also be related to the Wi-Fi; have you tried testing the Wi-Fi while running on battery power only?

Thanks.
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T16:07:19.01+00:00

Hello,

I haven't but I will try that tomorrow when I get back from school and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-07-16T04:50:10.6833333+00:00

Hello,

I just tested the Wi-Fi while running on battery power and it works fine. My pc did not crash once and I was able to play normally. What could this mean? Is it the battery or the charger?

Thank you
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-16T04:54:20.19+00:00

Hi,

I believe it's the laptop charger; if it were the battery, the problem would have already appeared. I recommend contacting the manufacturer to check the charger issue, but don't rule out the possibility of a problem with the laptop's power connector as well.

Thus, we confirm that it's a hardware failure.

Please consider rating the question (accept the answer or not), and access the community at Microsoft Q&A if you have further questions.

Thanks
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-08-09T08:25:29.89+00:00

Hi,

I know we already closed this conversation but I wanted to ask something. Is the Intel DPTF (Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework) Driver important? I do not see it anywhere in my device manager. I tried manually installing it from the Acer website but it didn't work.

Thanks
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-09T17:06:00.28+00:00

Hi,

Yes, in this case, this laptop manages thermal control and the processor fans.

You should install the driver manually from the manufacturer's website; it appears under a different name in Device Manager, within the "System devices" tab.

Thanks.
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-08-19T13:26:28.4633333+00:00

Hello,

Today, I got my new charger. The old one seemed to be defective and I believe we concluded that it was the issue. I tested a few games with the new charger. I could only play for like 5 more minutes than last time before crashing. It still crashes on the new charger. What could be the problem this time?

Thank you
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T23:25:44.5966667+00:00

Hi,

Does it freeze when running on battery power?

Thanks.
Paolo Eduardo 20 Reputation points

2026-08-19T23:56:07.98+00:00

Hi,

It doesn’t. It runs smoothly on battery power only. What do I do?

Thanks
Ivan B 123.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-20T05:49:34.1233333+00:00

Hi,

So, since it was the connector in this case, you need to contact the manufacturer to request technical support.

I mentioned that it could be the laptop's power connector; the failure is hardware-related.

Thanks.