10 Ways to Fix DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION Error in Windows 11

Faced with the DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION error on your Windows 11 device? This error is usually related to memory management, especially when dirty pages (modified memory pages not yet written to disk) build up and can’t be flushed due to disk congestion or write delays. As for the after effects, well, it can cause severe performance degradation or even system crashes. Bother not! Using these 10 best tips and tricks, you can fix the DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION error on your PC. Read on…

Fix DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION Error in Windows 11

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What triggers the DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION issue on Windows? To me, these are the 8 major reasons why this error crops up:

Disk write delay
Memory page buildup
Driver incompatibility
Faulty RAM module
Corrupted system files
Insufficient virtual memory
High disk usage

1. Restart Your PC

To begin, I’d suggest you reboot your PC as it can clear temporary memory buildup and resolve disk-related congestion.

What’s more, it also refreshes system memory, wiping out the entire cluster of dirty pages, enabling the system to operate normally.

Restart your PC (from the Start menu > Power icon) check if the issue persists.

2. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

It’s always recommended to keep a close eye on the memory corruption as can also trigger this error. Testing RAM will help you rule out hardware issues.

To do so, press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and hit Enter.
Choose Restart now and check for problems.
Let the tool scan and repair memory issues.

3. Update Storage Drivers

Note that your outdated or corrupted disk drivers can hugely slow down disk operations, causing unexpected congestion.

Open Device Manager on your PC, expand Disk drives.
After that, right-click your storage drive and select Update driver.

Then, select Search automatically for drivers to install updates.

4. Disable Fast Startup

Do you know that the Windows-famed “Fast Startup” feature can also cause incomplete memory or disk flushes at boot, triggering the error? So, it would be wise to get rid of this demanding feature.

Go to Control Panel on your Windows 11 device > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.

Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck Turn on fast startup, then save changes.

5. Check and Repair Disk Errors

Disk errors or bad sectors can delay write operations and increase dirty page buildup.

Open the Command Prompt as Administrator on your PC.

Now, type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
Next up, be sure to restart your system to allow the scan to complete.

6. Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

Improper virtual memory (paging file) configuration may lead to memory congestion.

Go to the Settings app on your device > System > About.

Next up, choose Advanced system settings.
Under Performance, click Settings > Advanced > Virtual memory.
Set to Automatically manage or customize with a size based on your RAM.

7. Clear Temporary Files

Accumulated temporary files can cause disk write congestion and slowdowns.

To get it done, press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
Up next, select your drive and check all items under Files to delete.
Click OK to remove them.

8. Scan for Malware

Beware of the fact that the malware can consume memory and disk resources, causing dirty pages to accumulate.

On your PC, head over to the Settings app > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Then, make sure to choose Full scan for thorough results.
If needed, I’d recommend you consider using third-party tools like Malwarebytes for deeper scans.

9. Update Windows

Can’t resolve the DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION error yet? Now is the right time to look for the latest software update and install it.

Head over to the Settings app > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install all available patches.

After you have successfully installed the update, restart your PC after installation.

10. Perform a Clean Boot

It’s no secret that the power-hungry background services or third-party apps have the habit of interfering with memory and disk operations. Hence, perform a clean boot to recognize the culprits.

On your device, press Win + R to launch the Run dialog.
Now, type msconfig and press Enter.
Navigate to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

In the Startup tab, open Task Manager and disable all startup items.
Up next, make sure to restart your system to check if the error resolves.

Wrapping up..!

There you have it! The DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION error is often linked to how Windows handles memory and disk write operations. By following these tried and tested tips and tricks, you can effectively resolve the issue.

Regular system maintenance and updates can also help prevent such errors from occurring in the future. If the problem persists, it may indicate deeper hardware issues. In this situation, you should consider consulting a professional technician.