If you are trying to launch games on Windows 10 or 11 (any game) and keep getting the following error message: "A Driver Cannot Load on this device - Driver: cpuz149_x64sys. "A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver." or "A Driver Cannot Load on this device - Driver: cpuz146_x64.sys "A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver." This guide will walk you through all the steps you need to follow to fix it.
Takeaways:
- Solution: A Driver Cannot Load on this device - Driver: cpuz149_x64sys. "A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver." on Windows 10 and 11.
- Solution: A Driver Cannot Load on this device - Driver: cpuz146_x64.sys "A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver." on Windows 10 and 11.
Table of Contents
Problem & Error Message
This error message comes in a few different flavours and usually points to two different drivers:
"A Driver Cannot Load on this device - Driver: cpuz149_x64sys. "A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver."
"A Driver Cannot Load on this device - Driver: cpuz146_x64.sys "A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver."
"Microsoft Defender Antivirus alert: VulnerableDriver WinNT/Winring0."
"Program Compatibility Assistant notification: A driver cannot load on this device – cpuz149_x64.sys."
The Programs, Apps and Services Causing Problems
Most of the time, whenever you get this error message, it is because of one of the following pieces of software.
- CapFrameX
- EVGA Precision X1 (older versions)
- FanCtrl
- HWiNFO
- Libre Hardware Monitor
- MSI Afterburner
- Open Hardware Monitor
- OpenRGB
- OmenMon
- Panorama9
- Razer Synapse
- SteelSeries Engine
- ZenTimings
Note: If you rely on these tools for performance monitoring, overclocking, or RGB lighting control, encountering this driver block can disrupt your workflow and prevent accurate monitoring of CPU, GPU, and system sensors.
Why Windows Blocks cpuz149_x64.sys & cpuz146_x64.sys
The WinRing0 driver used by these applications allows direct access to system hardware, which can improve monitoring and overclocking performance. However, this low-level access is considered a security risk, and Windows treats it as a vulnerable driver under CVE-2020-14979.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus and built-in Windows security features block this driver to protect against potential exploitation. Although legitimate software uses WinRing0, malicious actors could exploit it if left unprotected. This is why Windows prevents it from loading by default.
How to Fix “A Driver Cannot Load on This Device” Error for cpuz149_x64.sys & cpuz146_x64.sys
Below are the currently known solutions for this problem. While they are easy fixes, they are a little time-consuming, especially if you have quite a few programs, apps, and services to deal with.
Add an Exclusion in Microsoft Defender Antivirus
This forces Microsoft Defender Antivirus to ignore the driver, allowing the applications that depend on it to function.
- Open Settings, then go to Privacy and Security and select Windows Security.
- Click Virus and Threat Protection, then select Manage Settings under Virus and Threat Protection Settings.
- Scroll to Exclusions, then choose Add or Remove Exclusions.
- Click Add an Exclusion, then select the file or folder containing cpuz149_x64.sys.
- Restart your PC to ensure the driver loads properly.
Note: Do the same for any of the programs listed above as well if this alone doesn't work. But only if you trust that they are the legitimate versions of each.
