Windows Stop Code 0x00000044: MULTIPLE_IRP_COMPLETE_REQUESTS

Quick Answer

MULTIPLE_IRP_COMPLETE_REQUESTS (0x00000044) means a driver tried to complete an I/O request packet that had already been completed. Microsoft explains that this can involve two drivers each believing they own the same request. Identifying the responsible components can be difficult because the second completion attempt can obscure evidence of the first. Microsoft Learn

For recurring crashes, review recent driver and device-software changes, preserve a crash dump, and investigate the drivers handling the affected request. Apply a supported update, rollback, or removal only when the evidence identifies a plausible component.

What Is an IRP?

An I/O request packet, or IRP, carries information about an input/output operation through Windows drivers. It contains status information and stack locations associated with the request’s processing.

Drivers use IoCompleteRequest as part of returning a completed request through the I/O system. The driver must follow the ownership and completion rules for that request. Microsoft Learn

What Causes Stop Code 0x44?

The immediate cause is a call to IoCompleteRequest for an already-completed IRP. Microsoft notes that the problem often involves competing assumptions about ownership across drivers, rather than one driver simply completing its own request twice. Microsoft Learn

The code does not identify a particular hardware brand or software product. Recent changes provide leads, while dump analysis helps determine which drivers were involved.

Bug-Check Parameters

Parameter one is the starting point for inspecting the request in a debugger. Microsoft Learn

Before You Begin

• Save your work and back up important files.
• Record the crash time, stop code, and any displayed driver filename.
• Note recent driver updates, newly installed devices, and device-related software.
• Have administrator access available for driver rollback.
• Keep the BitLocker recovery key available before entering recovery options.
• Coordinate changes to managed security, storage, or network software with IT support. support.microsoft.com

The interface steps below use Windows 11 terminology. Older versions can have different menus.

Recommended Troubleshooting

1. Review Recent Changes and Triggers

Record whether the crash follows the same action, such as connecting a device, starting an application, or performing a particular transfer.

Compare the first occurrence with recent installations and updates. This establishes a useful timeline without assuming that the last-installed component must be responsible.

2. Roll Back a Suspected Driver Update

If the timing or dump evidence points to a recently updated device:

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Locate the device and open Properties.
3. Select Driver > Roll Back Driver, when available.
4. Follow the prompts and restart if requested.

If rollback is unavailable, Windows may not have a previous driver available to restore. support.microsoft.com

3. Obtain a Compatible Driver or Software Update

When rollback is unsuitable:

1. Check Windows Update or the device manufacturer’s official support page.
2. Obtain a driver matching the device and Windows version.
3. Follow the vendor’s installation instructions.
4. Restart and test.

For a driver installed with an application, use the application vendor’s supported update or removal procedure. Avoid manually deleting driver files.

Make one targeted change at a time. If the change introduces a new problem, restore the previous driver where possible or reinstall the appropriate vendor package. support.microsoft.com

4. Use Safe Mode if Normal Startup Fails

1. Access the Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. Press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode.
4. Investigate or reverse the suspected recent change.
5. Restart normally to test.

Safe Mode uses a limited set of drivers and services. An encrypted device may request its BitLocker recovery key. support.microsoft.com

Advanced Troubleshooting with WinDbg

1. Preserve the Crash Dump

Common default locations are:

A file exists only if Windows was configured and able to write it. learn.microsoft.com

2. Run the Initial Analysis

Open the relevant dump in WinDbg, configure appropriate symbols, and run:

!analyze -v

Review the bug-check arguments, call stack, and module information. These findings guide investigation; the analysis does not repair Windows. learn.microsoft.com

3. Inspect the Affected IRP

Use the address shown in Arg1 with:

!irp <IRP-address-from-Arg1> 1

Replace the entire placeholder, including angle brackets, with the actual hexadecimal address from the dump.

The detail argument 1 requests information including IRP status, the associated thread, and I/O stack locations. Examine the device objects and completion information to identify the drivers involved. Microsoft Learn

If the request cannot be read, do not invent an address or interpret missing data as proof of a particular cause. A small dump may lack necessary memory; support personnel may need a more complete capture. learn.microsoft.com

4. Investigate the Complete Driver Interaction

The driver visible at the second completion attempt may not explain the entire failure. Microsoft recommends examining device-object information in the request’s stack locations to trace the involved drivers. Microsoft Learn

For developers, review ownership transfers and completion behavior across success, failure, cancellation, and asynchronous processing paths. Reproduce and validate the correction in a test environment.

Driver Verifier caution: Microsoft warns that Driver Verifier can cause crashes and recommends using it on computers intended for testing and debugging. It should not be enabled casually on a production PC. learn.microsoft.com

How to Verify the Fix

1. Restart after the targeted correction.
2. Repeat the operation that previously preceded the crash.
3. Confirm that affected devices and applications still work.
4. Monitor across multiple sessions if the failure was intermittent.
5. If the crash returns, preserve the new dump and compare the affected request and driver stack.

A successful restart alone does not establish that an intermittent completion error has been resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean I opened a file or application twice?

No. It concerns how kernel drivers complete an I/O request. Normal repeated user actions do not themselves establish the cause.

Can two drivers be involved?

Yes. Microsoft specifically describes a situation where two drivers each believe they own the same packet. Microsoft Learn

Does a Windows kernel filename in the analysis prove Windows is defective?

No. The kernel may be where the invalid completion was detected. Investigate the calling drivers and request history before assigning responsibility.

Will adding RAM fix this error?

The documented failure concerns request completion and ownership. Additional RAM does not correct that programming behavior.

What should I send to the vendor?

Provide the Windows version, relevant driver versions, reproduction steps, crash times, and WinDbg findings. Share the dump through an approved support channel.

Conclusion

For MULTIPLE_IRP_COMPLETE_REQUESTS, investigate which drivers handled the affected request and how ownership was transferred. Use recent-change history and dump evidence to select a supported correction, then verify it under the original workload.

Sources

• Microsoft Learn — Bug Check 0x44: MULTIPLE_IRP_COMPLETE_REQUESTS.
• Microsoft Learn — !irp.
• Microsoft Learn — IoCompleteRequest macro.
• Microsoft Learn — Stop code error or bug check troubleshooting.
• Microsoft Learn — Small Memory Dump.
• Microsoft Support — Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows.
• Microsoft Support — Windows startup settings.
• Microsoft Learn — How to Use Driver Verifier for Driver Testing.